2016 Bird watching in Green Valley, AZ In 2024, the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust received a donation in memory of Sharon Lubinski, an incredible woman who grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and had a passion for the outdoors. She had an extensive career in law enforcement and made history as the first woman and openly gay U.S. Marshal for the state of Minnesota. Her compassion for others and dedication to public service are a thoughtful reminder of the positive impact she had on the community. This is her story as told by her wife, Fran Kiesling. I want to introduce you to a strong, unique woman, Sharon Lubinski. It is spring as I write this and the red-winged blackbirds are returning to our yard, males flashing red and yellow epaulets. One of Sharon’s favorite birds, every spring she listened for the sound of their trilling calls. It is hard for me to believe she has been gone for over a year. When I met Sharon more than 40 years ago, she was a deputy sheriff for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office in Madison, Wisconsin. An early memory is her admission to me she sometimes used the side spotlight on her squad car to scan farm fields for wildlife during night shifts. Immediately, I recognized a kindred spirit, a true lover of the natural world. Always open to opportunity and willing to accept a challenge Sharon advanced through the Sheriff’s department moving from Traffic, to Deputy Sheriff, to the rank of Detective in sensitive crimes, where I first met her in my capacity as a social worker helping crime victims. Eventually she wanted to experience urban policing in a larger metropolitan area so we moved together to Minnesota. I took a new social work position and Sharon joined the Minneapolis Police Department, graduating from the police academy in 1986. Lateral transfers were rare at that time, Sharon had to start over going from detective in Wisconsin back to the police academy in Minnesota. The Minneapolis Police Department, graduation from the police academy in 1986. Over 23 years she advanced through the ranks displaying leadership, determination, and bravery. One memory is her description of being the incident commander for Minneapolis PD at the scene of the 35W bridge collapse. Sharon, like dozens of other first responders, went quickly to provide help in a terrible situation of fires, explosions, fear, and death. The U.S. Senate later issued a commendation for the work done that day to save lives. Ultimately, Sharon advanced to the position of Assistant Chief of Police for Minneapolis. After leaving the Minneapolis department she finished her career as the US Marshal for the jurisdiction of Minnesota, a position not previously held by a woman. Through the years of knowing one another we became friends, life partners and ultimately spouses in a decades-long loving relationship focused in large part on enjoying the natural world. For example, Sharon loved astronomy and once surprised me with tickets to Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona, on the Tohono O’odham Nation. How thrilling to see Saturn! Sharon was especially devoted to birds, having grown up with a parakeet named ‘Peepers,’ an adored free-flying family pet. We supported avian conservation worldwide, but except for Canada our travels focused on parks all over the United States. Sharon had a special affinity for cranes of all species and we supported the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo Wisconsin. Sharon kept species lists of exciting bird observations such as the time we hiked into Garden Canyon at Fort Huachuca, an Army base in Arizona, to see and hear the male Elegant Trogon. It was a breathtaking experience. However, the behavior of birds most interested her. From raven antics in the snow around Ely, Minnesota to Condor fledglings trying to master flight in the Grand Canyon Sharon was intrigued by avian thinking. Even while bird feeding at home she noticed some of our visiting crows were not tame but uncharacteristically unafraid of people. The dominant male routinely solicited food, followed us around the yard or down the street. The birds came quite close if our backs were turned. Frequently one or the other of us would slip and call the crows people— ‘the people are here’—reflective I think of the bond we recognized went on amongst us, noticing the birds appeared to experience emotion. Sharon enjoying the snow of a Midwest winter. At her memorial service last year people spoke of Sharon with remarkably similar descriptors, such as capable, dependable, strong in character, approachable, a good listener, respectful, loving, and kind. After listening for years to Lubinski family stories about Sharon I believe many of her adult personality traits and values began to develop in response to her childhood experiences like playing with kids from other families, spending lots of time outdoors with friends or by herself, engaging with animals, participating in sports, and joining her family for hunting and fishing outings. Growing up in a small Wisconsin town in the 1950s and 1960s Sharon’s positive regard for both people and the natural world was nurtured by the love and security provided by parents, neighbors, siblings, and friends. In those days it was common for kids to play outside in the neighborhood for hours in summer and winter. So, Sharon was exposed not only to nature but also to other caring adults who provided a kind of parenting to the passel of kids who biked and played around the neighborhood, offering them encouragement, fun, and sometimes correction. Perhaps these early experiences helped her learn how to get along with other people and to understand that kindness facilitated connection. Sharon’s mom Virginia was very kind and anyone getting to know Sharon felt that kindness. Much later in life, a law enforcement colleague described Sharon to me as ‘down to her bones kind.’ Sharon's father, Tony & the kids on the lake shore (WI or MI lake), fishing 1957-1959 Throughout her life Sharon extended kindness to animals, domestic and wild, trying to relate to them. She spent much of her free time outdoors and in her case often alone, especially in what she referred to as ‘the woods’ near her home. I imagine her there, alone in a woodlot or some other place where she liked to play, drawn towards the animals and the sunlight, feeling the breezes; curious and not afraid, full of wonder rather than indifference, excited and enamored of what she saw and felt. I think Sharon’s independence, courage, and self-reliance developed in part from those early forays into the natural world. Her willingness to reach out to animals and recognize what she had in common with them, enhanced some of her interpersonal skills including understanding and empathy. A measure of empathy that in adulthood bloomed, making it easier for crime victims and others in distress to talk with her. Deer and grouse hunting, a family tradition. A hard-working guy her father Tony introduced all his children, both boys and girls, to hunting, fishing and sports. Family photos show happy kids fishing on lakes in summer and hunting in cornfields with Dad in winter. Like her dad Sharon enjoyed boating (she really liked driving my dad’s pontoon boat), was always comfortable with guns, and continued to hunt deer. Official Little League photo-dad Tony, bottom row left, was official coach, Sharon to his left in her bat boy uniform, her older brother Travis and her cousin also seated on the ground -1961, Sharon was 9 yrs old. As for sports, Sharon played pick-up football, baseball, and golf in backyard games starting at a young age but as a grown-up preferred to play golf but watch football and baseball. When Sharon was a kid, her dad coached a Little League ball team and while rules of the day prevented girls from playing ball, Tony made her a bat girl, a team member, and gave her an official uniform. Perhaps this experience spurred the development of one of Sharon’s most important core beliefs: do not dwell on what you cannot change, find another way.  Family tells it that she moved on, “tucking her hair up under her hat and playing” alongside her brother Travis and the other boys. I suspect, however, the experience also strengthened her sense of determination and her desire to achieve. Regardless, sports with its focus on team cohesion and cooperation no doubt helped Sharon learn about getting along with others in a group, when to ‘belong’ and when to be true to oneself, how to meet expectations for performance, and how to graciously accept both winning and losing. Learning these skills must have served her well as an emergency medical technician, an ambulance driver for neo-natal patients, and a law enforcement officer. Sharon touched the lives of many people. She was a remarkable woman by all accounts, wherever she went she was well-regarded. In the words of her best friend Sharon’s personal creed included not disparaging or judging people, instead recognizing their potential, and letting them become better people. As Trina said, “she had the effect of making each of us want to be our best self, our most ethical, reliable and non-judgmental self.” Sharon passed on many of her life lessons to others by being a living example: focus on what matters; believe that seeing others at their worst life moments helps a person develop empathy; work to be the best person possible; master all that is attempted; demonstrate poise under pressure; get things done; revel in nature and the commonality humans have with all life; love deeply; be true to yourself even when mainstream society isn’t with you; dream big and plot a pathway to get there. Sharon was committed to law enforcement as public service and strove to be of use, to help others, and to enhance understanding between people. She worked to improve communication and service provision between law enforcement and the various communities served by the agencies. While not a practicing Buddhist Sharon’s adherence to Buddhist principles informed both her policing career and her personal life. After her death, in a small book authored by the Dalai Lama I knew she kept with her, I found several passages underlined, among them: *All great teachings are founded on the motivation to help our fellow humans; *Practice compassion and tolerance; *Without justice and truth there would be no basis for human hope. Sharon and Fran enjoy a dog sled adventure. Her commitment to these words is reflected in her lifelong efforts to deepen her personal character. A favorite volume, The Road to Character , by David Brooks, was a well-worn book on her shelf. Yet, thinking back over all the years I knew Sharon, I remain in awe of her ability to be happy and to feel a sense of wonder, despite all the violence and suffering she saw in her law enforcement work. Finally, there is no greater complement to Sharon than the words spoken at her memorial service by Tim Dolan, the Chief of Police for Minneapolis when Sharon was the Assistant Chief: “I’ve met and known some excellent law enforcement professionals from around the world. I can say to her now, and regret I did not tell her this personally, ‘Sharon—I salute you. You were, and always will be one of the best’.”   Fran Kiesling

St. Croix County joins USDA National Water Quality Initiative The Kinnickinnic River begins its journey in the agricultural landscapes east of Roberts and Hammond—an area now at the heart of a new groundwater protection initiative led by St. Croix County Land and Water Conservation, with funding from the USDA National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI). Nitrate levels in municipal wells in this area have been rising over the past 25 years, and many private wells already exceed safe drinking water standards. This new effort, covering nearly 67,000 acres in the Towns of Warren, Hammond, Erin Prairie, and Baldwin, aims to protect water quality through smarter nitrogen management on cropland. The planning phase runs through 2025, with the goal of securing USDA funding for on-the-ground conservation work starting in 2026. This work complements KRLT’s mission to protect and restore the Kinni and its watersheds, beginning right at its source. Want to know more? Contact Patty Schrank, Water Resource Specialist, at St. Croix County to learn more: 715-381-4933 or patty.schrank@sccwi.gov National Water Quality Initiative project area encompassing three watershed: Twin Lakes, Headwaters Kinnickinnic River, Village of Baldwin-Rush River.   Current conservation funding opportunities for the Kinni Watershed St. Croix County Land and Water Conservation has secured a Surface Water Grant to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Kinnickinnic River watershed, a critical step forward in protecting this world-class trout stream. This funding, totaling over $375,000 in cost-share support, will help farmers install conservation practices such as: grassed waterways, buffer strips, cover crops, nutrient management, and streambank improvements. These efforts will reduce sediment and nutrient runoff into the Kinni and ultimately benefit Lake St. Croix downstream. Landowners and farm operators seeking more information on implementing BMP’s or protecting the Kinnickinnic River in other ways may contact Evan Lutkenhaus, Conservation Planner with St Croix County.  715-377-2831 or evan.lutkenhaus@sccwi.gov Project area for the Surface water protection grant covering two watersheds: Headwaters Kinnickinnic River, and Parker Creek.

Let's learn about animal signs! When you are outside in your backyard or on a walk do you notice any signs of animals or wildlife? A tree with holes in the bark could be a sign of a woodpecker. Maybe you saw a nest in a shrub. Could that be a deer track on the trail? Join Explorer Jane and Explorer Molly as they go on an adventure to Kelly Creek Nature Presreve to see if they can find signs of animals! It’s your turn, explorers ! Take a walk in your backyard or at one of the KRLT nature preserves and see if you can find signs of animals in the area. Explorers, can you help us find signs of animals? Download the activity sheet below and give it a try! Share it with us! With a parent or guardian's help, send us a picture of your bug hotel by emailing it to molly@kinniriver.org or jane@kinniriver.org Remember to Keep Exploring!

Let's learn about the fall colors and what trees you can find at The Community Forest Nature Preserve! In the fall, when the weather starts to cool and the days become shorter you might notice that the bright green leaves in the trees start to shift into orange, red, and brown. Join Explorer Jane and Explorer Molly as they go on an adventure to The Community Forest Nature Preserve to learn more about why trees change colors and what a healthy forest looks like! Now it’s your turn, explorers ! Take a walk outside and see what colors the leaves are in your neighborhood! What type of trees are you seeing? Fall color by numbers: Explorers, color the leaves that fell from the trees? Share it with us! With a parent or guardian's help, send us a picture of your bug hotel by emailing it to molly@kinniriver.org or jane@kinniriver.org Remember to Keep Exploring!

Kent Johnson KRLT Conservation Committee Member The 48-acre KRLT Headwaters Preserve, near Roberts, Wisconsin, includes the headwaters of the Kinnickinnic River (Kinni).  The river emanates from the downstream end of a large wetland (Figure 1), which extends across the preserve from northeast to southwest (Figure 2).  This wetland plays a vital role for groundwater infiltration, which maintains the spring flow that fuels the Kinni along its route to the St. Croix River.  The wetland also holds, cleans, and filters the overland runoff that enters the preserve, before sending the incoming water downstream.  Via these important natural functions and more (see “Wetlands 101” (page 15), from the Wisconsin Wetlands Association), the wetland helps to ensure that the Kinni is cold, clear, and clean as it begins its journey. Figure 1. Kinni Flowing from the Wetland at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve Water Monitoring at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve   In April 2024, KRLT initiated a water monitoring project at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve.  The monitoring objective is to evaluate the influence of the preserve’s wetland on the Kinnickinnic River, by comparing upstream and downstream temperature and water quality conditions.   Two monitoring stations were established at the upper and lower ends of the preserve, to collect temperature and water quality information.  The two station locations (Headwaters Preserve-Upper and Headwaters Preserve-Lower) are shown in Figure 2 below.  The Upper monitoring station location is shown in Figure 3, while the Lower station location is pictured in Figure 4. Figure 2. Water Monitoring Stations at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve Figure 3. The Headwaters Preserve-Upper Monitoring Station Figure 4. The Headwaters Preserve-Lower Monitoring Station Temperature Monitoring:   Two Onset TidbiTv2 temperature loggers (Figure 5) were placed in the Kinni, at the Upper and Lower monitoring stations within the preserve.  These loggers were programmed to record water temperatures at 10-minute intervals, from April 24-October 22, 2024, resulting in 52,000+ temperature measurements at the two monitoring stations.  Marty Engel, Robert Boss, and Kent Johnson were members of the temperature monitoring crew.  Figure 5. Onset TidbiTv2 Temperature Logger Used at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve Water Quality Monitoring:   Samples for water chemistry analysis will be collected seasonally (summer, fall, winter, and spring) at the upper and lower monitoring stations within the preserve, when the Kinni is flowing normally (baseflow).  Baseflow sampling was conducted in July (summer) and October (fall) 2024, and additional baseflow samples will be collected in January (winter) and April (spring) 2025.  During April-October 2025, samples will be collected at each station after 2-3 larger rain events, when Kinni flow increases and pollutants are washed from the watershed (runoff events).  Water samples are collected using a NASCO Swing Sampler (Figure 6).  Steve Leonard, Marty Engel, Robert Boss, and Kent Johnson were members of the water quality monitoring crew in July and October 2024. Figure 6. NASCO Swing Sampler Used at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve All water samples are analyzed by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) Laboratory in St. Paul, MN.  Analytes analyzed by the MCES Laboratory include those indicative of the presence of suspended sediment, nutrients, and algae, including:   Suspended Sediment :  Total and Volatile Suspended Solids   Suspended sediment is a measure of water clarity, with low concentrations being typical of clear water, and higher concentrations being typical of murky water.   Nutrients :  Total and Dissolved Phosphorus                      Total and Dissolved Kjeldahl Nitrogen                      Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen                      Ammonia Nitrogen   Like lawn and agricultural fertilizers can create green lawns and crops, elevated levels of nutrients in rivers, lakes, and wetlands can create green waters (Figure 7), due to the presence of excess algae. Algae :  Total and Corrected (Viable) Chlorophyll- a   Chlorophyll- a , a green pigment produced by algae, can be measured to determine the amount of algae present in rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Figure 7. Blue-Green Algae Bloom in Lake St. Croix, September 2024 2024 Monitoring Results:   Temperature Monitoring :   Kinni water temperature measurements at the Upper and Lower preserve monitoring stations in 2024 are displayed as thermographs in Figure 8 below. Monthly mean (average) water temperatures at the Upper and Lower monitoring stations during the May-October period are presented in Figure 9 below. Figure 8. Kinnickinnic River Temperatures at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve in 2024 Figure 9. Kinnickinnic River Monthly Mean Temperatures at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve in 2024 Of immediate note in the thermographs (Figure 8) at the Upper (blue line) and Lower (green line) monitoring stations is the strong daily (diurnal) temperature pattern.  Although cold groundwater continually feeds the Kinni via springs along the entire riverway, the river temperature is greatly influenced by ambient air temperature.  During the daylight hours, the river gradually warms and generally reaches a daily maximum temperature in the late afternoon or early evening.  At night, the river gradually cools and typically reaches a daily minimum temperature near sunrise.  These diurnal temperature fluctuations in the river are natural, and the river’s residents, including trout and macroinvertebrates, have become accustomed to a constantly but slowing changing temperature regime.  At the Headwaters Preserve, the diurnal temperature fluctuations at the Upper monitoring station are less pronounced than those at the Lower monitoring station, due to the greater volume of water in the upper wetland, as well as the dense coverage of Common Duckweed ( Lemna minor ) on the water surface, which provides a shading effect.  As the Kinni exits the wetland, the much smaller water volume is more subject to the influence of air temperature, resulting in greater diurnal variation in the river temperature. Also of note in both thermographs (Figure 8) are the relatively frequent changes in the daily minimum and maximum river temperatures and daily temperature ranges that are influenced by local weather patterns (cold fronts and warm fronts) and seasonal climate changes.   Substantial warming of shallow wetlands can be expected during the summer months (June-August), when air temperatures are warmest, especially with no shading or canopy cover present.  This effect was indeed evident at the Headwaters Preserve wetland in 2024.  The mean (average) summer (June-August) water temperature at the Upper monitoring station (Figure 8) was 15.6° C, while the mean summer water temperature at the Lower monitoring station was 19.2° C, representing a 3.6° C increase due to the wetland’s warming influence (Figure 8).     While the mean summer temperatures at the Upper and Lower monitoring stations are helpful for evaluating the warming influence of the preserve’s wetland, the percentage of all summer temperatures greater than 20° C at each site (Figure 8) can also be calculated and compared.  Scientific research (Armour, 1994) on the preferred temperatures for trout indicates that 20° C is the top of the optimum temperature range for Brown and Brook Trout survival.  At the Upper monitoring station, only 0.3% of summer temperatures exceeded 20° C, whereas 29.1% of summer temperatures exceeded 20° C at the Lower monitoring station.  Nonetheless, trout and macroinvertebrates can survive in water temperatures exceeding 20° C for short periods of time, and diurnal temperature variation (minimum water temperatures) almost always provided heat relief at the Lower monitoring station, where the Kinni exits the wetland.   During the May-October 2024 period, the monthly mean temperatures at the Upper (blue bar) and Lower (green bar) monitoring stations (Figure 9) also reflect the wetland’s warming influence.  In all months except May, the mean temperature at the Lower station was warmer than the mean temperature at the Upper station.  The temperature differences between the two stations were greatest in July, August, and September, the three warmest months of 2024.  At the Lower monitoring station, mean monthly water temperatures were closely associated with mean monthly air temperatures.  At the Upper monitoring station, however, mean monthly water temperatures decreased throughout the May-October period, with some of the lowest temperatures occurring during the warmest months (July-September).  This might be due in part to the incremental growth of a dense Common Duckweed mat in the upper wetland (including the Upper monitoring station), which shaded and prevented heating of the underlying water.   Although the wetland at the Headwaters Preserve had a warming influence on the Kinni in 2024, the impact was likely not detrimental to trout and other coldwater inhabitants of the downstream river.  With strong groundwater inputs along its route, the Kinni quickly rebounds from any warming influence of the Headwaters Preserve. For example, the mean summer 2024 temperature of the Kinni at Quarry Road, just upstream of River Falls, WI, was 15.1° C, slightly cooler than the mean summer temperature at the Upper preserve monitoring station (15.6° C). Furthermore, no summer temperatures at Quarry Road exceeded 20° C.  While the Headwaters Preserve wetland warms the Kinni as it exits the preserve, the wetland also recharges the supply of cold groundwater that contributes to colder downstream river temperatures.   Water Quality Monitoring :   The water samples collected in July and October 2024  at the Headwaters Preserve indicate that water quality in the preserve’s wetland is generally very good during baseflow conditions, when rainfall runoff is not occurring.   Water Clarity:   Soil particles on the landscape are readily carried into rivers, lakes, and wetlands by watershed runoff, reducing water clarity.  Water clarity, as indicated via transparency tube measurements, exceeded 100 cm at both preserve monitoring stations during July and October.  Accompanying concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS), which can reduce water clarity, were also very low at both monitoring stations, as shown in Figure 10.   Figure 10. Total Suspended Solids Concentrations at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve in 2024 Total Phosphorus:   Since phosphorus readily attaches to soil particles (primarily via its usage as a fertilizer), it is often carried into rivers, lakes, and wetlands by watershed runoff.  When present in excess amounts, phosphorus is a key nutrient causing the growth of nuisance algae in these waters.  For this reason, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has established water quality criteria for total phosphorus (TP) that protect fish and aquatic life from excess algal growth.  In the Kinnickinnic River, the total phosphorus criterion that should not be exceeded is 0.075 mg/L.  Based on this WDNR criterion, total phosphorus concentrations in the preserve’s wetland (Figure 11) were elevated in July, perhaps reflecting the ongoing influence of June’s heavy rainfall (8.6 inches) and runoff in the Kinni Watershed.  Total phosphorus concentrations were substantially lower (and less than the WDNR criterion) in October, perhaps reflecting lower-than-normal rainfall in September (0.8 inch) and October (1.7 inches), with reduced watershed runoff.   Figure 11. Total Phosphorus Concentrations at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve in 2024 Nitrate-Nitrogen:   Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) is commonly used as a fertilizer, to stimulate the growth of agricultural crops and urban/suburban lawns.  Since nitrate-nitrogen is soluble in water, any excess not used by plants readily moves through the soil profile and into the underlying groundwater, creating a risk of drinking water contamination. In Wisconsin, about 90% of the nitrate-nitrogen in groundwater comes from the application of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, manure, and biosolids  to crop fields.  On average, about 20% of applied nitrogen leaches through the soil to groundwater ( Wisconsin's Green Fire ).  Since the Kinni is strongly fed by numerous groundwater seeps and springs along its entire route, elevated nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in groundwater can be transferred to the river, with the potential to impact aquatic life.  While WDNR has established a 10 mg/L criterion for nitrate-nitrogen in groundwater, to protect drinking water supplies, no criteria exist for rivers, lakes, and wetlands, making it difficult to determine aquatic life impacts in surface waters.  Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations at the two Headwaters Preserve monitoring stations in July and October 2024 are presented in Figure 12. Figure 12. Nitrate-Nitrogen Concentrations at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve in 2024 Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations did not exceed the WDNR drinking water criterion (10 mg/L) at either monitoring station in 2024.  At both stations, concentrations were higher in October than in July, perhaps reflecting more groundwater influence within the wetland.  During both July and October, nitrate-nitrogen concentrations were noticeably reduced at the Lower monitoring station, compared to the Upper station.  A common water quality benefit for a wetland is its ability to reduce nitrate-nitrogen concentrations by denitrification, a biochemical process that converts nitrate-nitrogen in the water to nitrogen gas, which is emitted to the atmosphere.  Based on the limited water quality data collected in 2024, it appears that denitrification may be at work in the preserve’s wetland, providing a significant water quality benefit for the Kinni.   Chlorophyll- a :   Green plants (including algae) use chlorophyll (a green pigment) to photosynthesize, a process that employs sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into glucose, a type of sugar that plants use as food.  Chlorophyll  a  is the predominant type of chlorophyll found in green plants and algae.  Chlorophyll  a  is a measure of the amount of algae growing in a waterbody.  Although algae are a natural part of freshwater ecosystems, too much algae can cause aesthetic problems such as green scums and bad odors, and can also result in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen.  Blue-green algae (Figures 7 and 13) can produce toxins that may create a public health concern when present in high concentrations. One of the symptoms of degraded water quality is an increase in the amount of algae, as measured by the concentration of chlorophyll  a .  Waters with high levels of nutrients (especially phosphorus and nitrate-nitrogen) from septic systems, wastewater treatment plants, and agricultural and urban runoff may have excess amounts of algae, hence high concentrations of chlorophyll  a ( U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ) . Figure 13. A Microscopic View of Blue-Green Algae Chlorophyll  a   concentrations at the two Headwaters Preserve monitoring stations in July and October 2024 are presented in Figure 14. Figure 14. Chlorophyll-a Concentrations at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve in 2024 Chlorophyll- a concentrations were very low  (7.5 ug/L) at both preserve monitoring stations in July, suggesting that very little algae were present.  Water clarity indicators, including transparency tube measurements and TSS concentrations (Figure 10),  also confirm the lack of algal presence during the peak of summer.  In October, chlorophyll- a  concentrations were higher at both monitoring stations, with the highest concentration (38 ug/L) at the Upper station.  These higher chlorophyll- a  concentrations likely reflect the extensive development, by October, of a duckweed mat on portions of the wetland’s water surface, particularly at the Upper monitoring station, where duckweed coverage of the water surface was 100%.  Nonetheless, water clarity at both monitoring stations (Figure 10) remained excellent in October. The lack of algae and excellent water clarity in July and October suggest that the preserve wetland is healthy and creating water quality benefits for the Kinni. Water quality monitoring is still underway at the Headwaters Preserve. In 2025, seasonal baseflow samples will be collected in January and April, and 2-3 samples will be collected during runoff events in the April-October period.  The availability of all 2024-2025 water quality data will better allow an analysis of the ability of the Headwater Preserve’s wetland to improve water quality in the Kinni by reducing suspended sediment, nutrients, and the presence of nuisance algae.   Benefits of Water Monitoring at the KRLT Headwaters Preserve:   KRLT and partners have made a significant investment to establish the Headwaters Preserve, thereby providing permanent protection for the headwaters of the Kinnickinnic River, an Outstanding Resource Water and  Class 1 trout stream in Wisconsin, as well as a nationally known water resource.  The water monitoring project at the preserve will enable KRLT and public users to better understand the water quality benefits provided by protecting this very special place.  KRLT has recently embarked on a major project to restore the preserve uplands to prairie and oak savanna.  Collection of current, baseline water quality information in 2024-2025 will also allow KRLT to evaluate the future benefits of upland restoration for protecting and/or improving the preserve’s water features, including the Kinni as it begins its 25-mile journey to the St. Croix River.   Data collected by KRLT Conservation Committee Members: Robert Boss, Marty Engel (KRLT Staff Member), Kent Johnson, and Steve Leonard (KRLT Staff Member).

“ We Don’t Have a Runoff Problem, We Have an Infiltration Problem” That’s a quote I pulled from the bottom of an email from a conservation technician in Pierce County. What he’s pointing out is that our problem is not that too much water is getting into ditches, streams, and lakes. It’s that not enough water is being held where it’s falling. And when that water leaves the place it fell, it takes some of the soil as well as nutrients (i.e., pollutants) with it. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, one inch of rain on one acre of land represents 27,143 gallons  of water. So what happens when we get a storm that drops about 4 inches of rain on a 20-acre parcel? The impact of all that water depends on a lot of variables like how quickly the storm hits, how wet the ground already is, the type of soil on the ground, the slope of the land, and how that land is being managed. Now there’s not a whole lot we can control about how quickly the rain falls or when it comes or many other variables. But farmers CAN do some things to control how much water their soil is able to absorb. Pierce County conservation technician, Dan Sitz, kindly took some data from a 20-acre field southeast of River Falls which drains into the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River, and calculated how much water would leave that field during at 10-year storm [1] depending on different ways that field was managed. As you can see from the graph, growing plants do a LOT to decrease the amount of water leaving the land. And in general, the greater the mass of plants and the longer those plants are on the soil, the more water will stay on the field. Now you might note, this graph is measuring runoff, but that runoff is affected by land management significantly. By changing tillage practices, farmers can hold almost 20% more water in their fields according to the standard model. Research at the Horse Creek Demonstration Plot in Polk County found even more significant effects. Their trials show that farmers who don’t till and keep growing roots in the ground for more of the year see more than twice as much infiltration and half as much runoff during a 1.8 inch simulated rainstorm. Because of the great impact management choices can have on runoff and infiltration, farmers and landowners are working to incorporate better practices onto their fields. To learn more about our peer-to-peer learning opportunities in the Kinnickinnic watershed, visit farmerledwatershed.org . No-till fields (left) see less loss of water than tilled fields (right). The soil in no-till fields has more structure which allows more infiltration. Small grains like rye (right) and wheat are not planted in wide rows the same as corn and soybeans are. Because they cover more ground with plant material, fields planted to these small grains crops see less runoff during rainstorms than similar row cropped fields. Tara Greiman is the Director of Conservation & Stewardship for the Wisconsin Farmers Union and assists local Farmer-Led Watershed Councils to enhance local farm economic and environmental sustainability. If you have questions or comments, you can reach her at tgreiman@wisconsinfarmersunion.com at 715-492-0329 or follow your local Farmer-Led Watershed Council on Facebook.com/farmerledwatershed .   [1]   "A 10-year storm (which is 4.24" of rain within 24 hours for Pierce County) has a 10 % chance of happening annually.  Larger rain events would be considered more like 25 or 100-year storm events depending on how much rain fell.

Let's learn about pumpkins! Pumpkins are a type of squash that grows throughout the summer and ripens in the fall. They can be eaten or used for decoration. Fun pumpkin facts: Each pumpkin contains about 500 seeds. Once they sprout, pumpkins take between 90 and 120 days to reach maturity. Pumpkins come in many different colors, including orange, yellow, green, white and blue. Join Explorer Jane and Explorer Molly as they go on an adventure to Leisen Family Farm to learn more about the pumpkins and farms! Now it’s your turn, explorers ! Talk with a family member or friend about what your favorite things about fall are. Do you like the cooler weather? The changing colors of the leaves? Pumpkin Life Cycle: Explorers, can you draw a line from the numbers to the growth stages of a pumpkin? Share it with us! With a parent or guardian's help, send us a picture of your bug hotel by emailing it to molly@kinniriver.org or jane@kinniriver.org Remember to Keep Exploring!

Let's learn about Bluebirds! Bluebirds are migratory birds, which means during the cooler winter months, they fly south to stay warm. When the sun starts warming the ground, and the snow melts, they return. They love to be in areas called prairies. Prairies provide food, shelter, and sometimes a water source. Join Explorer Jane and Explorer Molly as they go on an adventure with Jim Higgins to learn more about the Bluebirds! Now it’s your turn, explorers ! Can you make a bird nest out of grass, flowers, and other nature items you find in your backyard? You can do it! Bluebird Anatomy: Explorers, can you help identify the different parts of a Bluebird? Good luck! Share it with us! With a parent or guardian's help, send us a picture of your bug hotel by emailing it to molly@kinniriver.org or jane@kinniriver.org Remember to Keep Exploring!

What are wild words? The Keeper of Wild Words is written by Brooke Smith and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper. It is a book about a grandmother and her granddaughter's adventure to find wild words and keep them safe. Join Explorer Jane and Explorer Molly on a quest to find all of the wild words on their list! What do you think we will find? Now it’s your turn, explorers ! Create your own list of wild words to find in your backyard, a local park or one of the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust nature preserves. Good luck! Wild word search: Explorers, can you help us find the hidden words in the word search? Maybe you found a few of them during your wild word adventure! Share it with us! With a parent or guardian's help, send us a picture of your bug hotel by emailing it to molly@kinniriver.org or jane@kinniriver.org Remember to Keep Exploring!

What is a watershed? A watershed is the land surrounding a river or lake. These areas include prairies, forests, and wetlands. They funnel melted snow and rainwater into rivers or lakes through channels in the rock, soil, or sand. In a healthy watershed, this process can filter the water to help make the river or lake's waters clean and clear. Join Explorer Jane and Explorer Molly on an adventure exploring the Kinnickinnic River watershed! Now it’s your turn, explorers ! Create your very own watershed in your backyard using natural elements. Make the riverbed out of tin foil, sand, or dirt! Add sticks, plants, and rocks along the way. How does your river change? Is it deeper or wider in some areas? Can you float a bottle cap down it? We would love to see pictures of what you created! Watershed maze: Can you help Mr. Frog find his way from the headwaters to the river? Share it with us! With a parent or guardian's help, send us a picture of your bug hotel by emailing it to molly@kinniriver.org or jane@kinniriver.org Remember to Keep Exploring!