Wisconsin Coastal Beaches Workgroup

The Wisconsin Coastal Beaches Workgroup (WCBW) is for professionals, researchers and funders involved in managing and improving Wisconsin’s 200+ Great Lakes beaches. The group was established in 2015 to facilitate:

• Information sharing
• Coordination and leveraging
• Stakeholder input
• Research guidance
• Funding connections

The WCBW Steering Committee works to achieve tangible, high-priority objectives as identified by workgroup members and stakeholders.

Join the workgroup

Anyone involved in issues related to the management, safety, or quality of coastal beaches in Wisconsin may become a WCBW member by subscribing to the Wisconsin Coastal Beaches listserv by sending an email to wicoastalbeaches+subscribe@g-groups.wisc.edu.

The WCBW Steering Committee is comprised of 10-12 beach-related professionals who actively participate in quarterly meetings and provide logistical support. For more information, contact Steering Committee Co-chairs Sara Hudson or Madeline Magee.

All WCBW members agree to adhere to two basic principles:

Information sharing: When appropriate, members will share information that is likely to be of consequence to the individual or collective efforts of other members and the WCBW Steering Committee.

Constructive participation: Members are encouraged to participate in the activities of the WCBW Steering Committee, such as periodic surveys, reviews, meetings and discussions. Participation should be respectful of other members, while helping to achieve identified objectives.

Webinars

Connections Between Wetlands and Beach Water Quality (March 12, 2021)

This webinar covers the connections between wetlands and water quality.  Presenters were: Kyle Magyera, Local Government Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, and Dr. Joanna Grand, Senior Spatial Ecologist, National Audubon Society.

Managing Water Level Impacts for Wisconsin’s Beaches (Oct. 27, 2020)

A panel of experts discussed a range of water level issues and shared a local case study of designing a beach for resiliency.  Presenters were: Deanna Apps, Physical Scientist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District; Adam Bechle, Coastal Engineering Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin Sea Grant; and Julie Kinzelman, Laboratory Division Director, City of Racine Public Health Department.

COVID-19 Impacts on Beach Management: State and Local Perspectives (Aug. 12, 2020)

State and local experts shared how COVID-19 has impacted beach management in Wisconsin. Presenters were: Ryan Wozniak, PhD, MPH, Wisconsin Department of Health Services; Sara Hudson, Director, City of Ashland Parks and Recreation; and Holly Glainyk, Waukesha County Parks.

Annual Meetings

WCBW will hold annual meetings at rotating locations around the state.