Events

May 9, 2009 FBR Annual Spring Paddle

The East Fork of the Black River near Hatfield was spotted with brightly colored kayaks and canoes this past Saturday. An always popular event, the FBR Annual Spring Paddle attracts many paddlers to our local scenic river and streams. This year twenty five boats carrying twenty six participants launched at the East Fork Road Bridge and were paddled to Lake Arbutus. “We like to try a different section of the river each year so folks get a chance to see new stretches of river,” said Andy Ellingson, FBR president.

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May 2, 2009 FBR’s Water Action Volunteers Learn Stream Monitoring

“Water Action Volunteers” from the Black River Falls area got their feet wet learning about stream monitoring Saturday, May 2nd, at Teal Flowage. The sixteen participants are now part of a citizen-based steam monitoring group that works in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, UW-Extension and the River Alliance of Wisconsin.
Kris Stepenuk, state WAV program coordinator, began the day by explaining some of the basics of stream ecology.  “What happens on the land surrounding a steam, the “watershed”, determines a lot of what happens in the steam.”

Read more: May 2, 2009 FBR’s Water Action Volunteers Learn Stream Monitoring

April 18, 2009 Successful FBR Earth Day Cleanup

Thirty local citizens teamed up on Saturday April 18th to celebrate Earth Day by collecting trash. Volunteers from Friends of the Black River joined forces with the Black River State Forest personnel to clean up numerous illegal dumping spots throughout the State Forest. The group met at Castle Mound State Park at 8:30 AM to get site assignments, maps and supplies, then hit the trails to remove tons of garbage, tires, scrap iron, household trash and recyclables. Refuse and recyclables were hauled in volunteers’ trucks and trailers to fill two large dumpsters for a total of 50 cubic yards.

Read more: April 18, 2009 Successful FBR Earth Day Cleanup

February 22, 2009 FBR Event: KAYAK SKILLS BRUSH-UP DAY

Coming up on February 22nd and March 22nd will be Friends of the Black River’s annual winter Kayak Skills Brush-up Day. Held at the BRF Middle School pool, the class provides expert instruction and encouragement for paddlers wishing to gain new skills or improve old ones. Equipment is provided for this fun and instructive afternoon. The class runs from 12:30PM until 3:00PM and the cost, to cover expenses, is $10 for adults and $5 for a child accompanied by an adult. To register, call Jeff Polzin at 284-4117 or Amanda at the Lunda Center. Beginner and experienced boaters are welcome!