2013 Upper Midwest Regional Meeting

2013 Upper Midwest Regional Meeting
April 20-21
Madison, Wisc. - Hilton Garden Inn

Join fellow anglers and TU volunteer leaders from across the Midwest on April 20 & 21 in Madison, Wisc.

Who should attend? Anyone committed to building effective TU chapters and councils.

What will you learn? Opportunities abound to develop your governance skills and practices, discover solutions to your leadership challenges, and increase your understanding of the key trends and coldwater conservation issues impacting the upper Midwest. TU regional meetings are occasions to be inspired — by the work of TU staff, lessons from leaders and conversations with newfound friends.

Registration and Cost? The total cost is $110 and includes:

• Participation in all seminars and workshops on Saturday and Sunday
• Breakfast and lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday
• Barbecue dinner Saturday night

Please Note: Saturday and Sunday's meeting and meals will be hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn [1] which is a short walking distance from our discounted lodging at the Marriott Hotel [2].

Register now [3]

Meeting Agenda [4]

Schedule

Friday, April 19 — Optional Driftless Area Conservation Tour
Join local TU stalwarts and National TU staffers Jeff Hastings and Duke Welter to visit two project sites on this half-day tour. Highlighted will be outstanding projects in Dane County–one in a rural valley, the other on nationally-known Black Earth Creek, where development and land use pressures have been addressed over decades of dedicated conservation work. The Black Earth Creek project will remeander the stream through a former millpond as the Village of Cross Plains redesigns its stormwater runoff system to protect the creek. We'll hear about funding projects, fisheries and economic benefits of restoration projects, public easements, monitoring, and interesting anecdotes from years of local project work. After the tour, we'll retire to a classic Wisconsin Friday Night Fish Fry nearby.

The tour starts at the Middleton/Madison Marriott West Hotel at 12:15 and concludes by 5 p.m. Please sign up when registering or notify TU Volunteer Operations Coordinator Wes Tetsworth at wtetsworth@tu.org [5]. Questions? Email Duke Welter, TU Driftless Area Restoration Effort, dwelter@tu.org [6].

Saturday, April 20 — Workshops, Seminars, and Evening Barbecue
We are pleased to announce that Trout Unlimited CEO Chris Wood will be delivering the introductory address for the first annual Upper Midwest Regional Meeting. He will help us kick off a full-day of seminars and workshops addressing conservation topics from mining to invasive species, and TU best practices workshops to help you hone the effectiveness of your local chapter. We will close our day with a Women's Initiative Roundtable Discussion, as part of our organization-wide drive to welcome and promote women as members and leaders of the TU community.

Following the day's meeting we will have a streamside barbecue dinner hosted by the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter.

Sunday, April 21 — Workshops, Seminars, and Optional Afternoon of Fishing
Author Ann R. Miller will open our Sunday morning with an in-depth presentation on Upper Midwest hatches and stream entomology. We'll put her tips to use during the afternoon, but first we have a half-day to continue on Saturday's work with further group seminars and workshops including updates and tips from TUDARE, chapter fundraising, and youth education.

Following Sunday's meeting attendees are invited to join local fishing hosts for an afternoon of fishing in the numerous spring creeks of the Driftless Region of Western Wisconsin. These streams offer a wonderful opportunity to catch plentiful wild fish on light tackle in a spectacular setting. This will be walk and wade spring creek fishing, ideally with a three or four weight rod in the eight to nine foot range. Generally, April fishing in the Driftless offers excellent dry fly action on small black caddis and blue wing olive patterns as well as sub-surface success on caddis larva and scuds. Please note on the registration page if you expect to fish on Sunday so that you may be paired with a local host.

Meeting Location: Hilton Garden Inn Madison West [1] at 1801 Deming Way, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562, 1-608-831-2220.

After registering, please remember to reserve your room by April 10th at the Madison Marriott West Hotel. Rooms are at a discounted rate of $125 and include a king bed and sleeper sofa.

Lodging: Accommodations for the Upper Midwest Regional Meeting are provided by the Madison Marriott West [2] at 1313 John Q Hammons Dr, Middleton, Wisc. 53562
Rates: $125/night
Reservations: 1-888-745-2032 or 1-608-831-2000, ask for the Trout Unlimited Midwest Regional Meeting Room Block before April 10, 2013