Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Council Expanding Aquatic Invasive Species Lesson

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 -- 11:00 AM

Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Stevens Point, was awarded grant funding from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund to expand their aquatic invasives species lesson from 8 to 13 counties this upcoming spring semester.

The lesson is free to schools and provides a hands-on, interactive experience for 5th grade students. Golden Sands RC&D began teaching 5th grade students about AIS in 2012, with support of grant funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

It is estimated that 8,600 students have benefitted from at least 309 lessons taught by the program over the past nine years. The new funding will help expand the program to cover 13 Wisconsin Counties, including: Adams, Columbia, Green Lake, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, Outagamie, Portage, Taylor, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood.

Students will have the opportunity to learn and understand how invasive species can affect our lakes, rivers, and other surface waters. This program also provides students with an understanding about how aquatic invasive species are dispersed and empowers them with the knowledge of what they can do to help slow down the spread.

The program offers a free, 45-60 minute interactive lesson that will be taught by the Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator from January 2022 to June 2022. Lessons are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

Space is limited and slots fill up fast. To learn more about this program or to schedule a lesson, please contact Golden Sands RC&D at (715) 343-6215 x 710 or [email protected].

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.