Grande Associate and LSRWA Vice President, Pat Cardiff, received the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Award in 2015, recognizing his contributions to stream monitoring as part of his job duties at Grande.
These awards have been made annually since 2002 by the University of Wisconsin – Extension (UWEX) and the DNR, to recognize individuals and groups for exemplary efforts to increase participation in stream monitoring, collecting stream data, and sharing knowledge. Each year’s winners serve as role models, community leaders, and exceptional environmental stewards for Wisconsin streams.
According to Cardiff, “Grande has been participating in stream monitoring for phosphorus, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH and stream temperature since 2012. The data we collect shows our impact on the watershed and allows us to make better decisions regarding which phosphorus management options to pursue.”
Cardiff went on to say, “The opportunity to support stream monitoring has allowed me to network with many passionate people in the watershed. Getting out into the streams brings back many wonderful memories from my youth playing in the Menomonee River across the street from our home. 
Working with the Juda and Albany schools has been rewarding both for the students and those doing the stream monitoring training. The opportunity for the young to get out into the streams and learn about a healthy watershed sets the stage for the next generation to be actively engaged.”
We congratulate Pat. He has worked tirelessly on stream monitoring and the honor is well deserved.
Get involved: Any Wisconsin citizen who wants to learn about and improve the quality of Wisconsin’s streams and rivers can become a Water Action Volunteer (WAV). You begin by attending a training session where you learn to monitor temperature, streamflow, biotic index, habitat, dissolved oxygen, and transparency using WAV methods. Generally trainings are held on a Saturday in April or May, in locations across the state. Visit the WAV Website to learn more about how you can become a volunteer or to access the training schedule.