The Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited is a strong advocate for the  conservation of our state's water resources. Through active participation of its members  and partnerships with other conservation groups, SWTU reaches out to preserve and  protect sensitive cold water fisheries around southern Wisoconsin.

 Some of the conservation programs SWTU is currently involved with are highlighted below.

 POLLUTED RUNOFF TOOLKIT

 The Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited created a Polluted Runoff Toolkit to inform our members on the proper ways of protecting our water resources from one of their greatest threats - polluted runoff, or what resource professionals in the field often call nonpoint source pollution. In this toolkit we:

• discuss what constitutes polluted runoff
• identify ways to correct problem sites
• provide information on programs and agency contacts to implement pollution control practices, and,
• stress the importance of compliance with Wisconsin's new polluted runoff regulations

 Click HERE to view a slide show illustrating the Polluted Runoff Toolkit. You can also go to  the Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited website to vie the documents directly by  clicking HERE.

  Contact Gerry Campbell at gerald8966@aol.com for more information.

 BLACK EARTH CREEK WATERSHED

 The Black Earth Creek watershed encompasses over 100 sq. miles in Dane County,  Wisconsin, just west of Madison. The river is valued most highly for its coldwater fishery,  which has faced significant threats from nutrients, sediments, and habitat degradation.  Agricultural nonpoint source pollution and degraded stream banks, urban runoff, and  urbanization and development all contribute to these threats to the watershed.(excerpt from   NewEnvironmentalism.org)

SWTU has partnered with the  Natural Heritage Land Trust to protect sections  of this treasured cold water fishery.

Black Earth Creek at South Valley Road (flood of August 2, 2001)