UWM'S WATER Institute Hosts Public Open House June 1

MILWAUKEE -- See an ancient and endangered species of fish up close, take a fishing clinic, and tour both an historic replica of a 19th century schooner and a modern research vessel. These are some of the activities at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's WATER Institute on Saturday, June 1, during its public event "Test the Waters - Peer Beneath the Waves."

The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., features a slew of demonstrations, exhibits, and activities that are educational, entertaining, and appropriate for school-age children and adults. Jointly offered by UWM's Milwaukee Idea Office and the UWM Alumni Association, "Test the Waters" is free, and gives the public an insider's view of the freshwater and environmental research going on at the facility. Free parking is available next to the institute, 600 E. Greenfield Ave.

Kicking off the day will be a multi-denominational "blessing of the fleet" that spectators can witness from the shore behind the WATER Institute beginning at 9 a.m. Ships such as the Denis Sullivan, the WATER Institute's Neeskay, and Coast Guard vessels will muster at around 8:45 a.m.

Ongoing activities:

Self-guided Tours of the WATER Institute. Exhibits on research with live aquatic specimens, tanks of native and non-native species of fish, and staff scientists to explain and answer questions are offered.

Dockside tours of the Lake Michigan research vessel, the Lake Guardian, which belongs to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the WATER Institute's vessel, the Neeskay; and the Denis Sullivan, the Wisconsin Great Lakes Schooner Education Association's ship (until 12:30 p.m.).

Boat Building Demonstrations. Clint Edwards, a UWM geography professor and founding member of the Wisconsin Lake Schooner Education Association, will discuss boat construction and show several kayaks, canoes and small ships under construction at the Institute.

10 a.m. and 2 p.m.:

Boating and Water Safety Clinic. Jim Lubner of the Sea Grant Advisory Services (and a UWM alumnus) discusses issues like boat operation, the impact of lake levels on boaters, and safety. The clinic meets in the main lobby.

11 a.m. and 1 p.m.:

Fishing Clinic. Brad Eggold of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources talks about fishing "hot spots" in Lake Michigan, kinds of fish, angling techniques, and sustaining a future recreational fishery. The clinic meets in the main lobby.

12:30 p.m.

The Denis Sullivan departs the WATER Institute for a 35-minute trip back to the municipal pier on Harbor Drive (the end of Michigan Street).

For those interested in making it a daylong water outing, RiverSplash will be under way at Riverwalk, in the heart of downtown, between Juneau Avenue and State Street. Plus, the Wisconsin Lake Schooner Education Association will offer an educational sail of Milwaukee's harbor after returning to its port about 2 p.m.

For directions to the WATER Institute go to the Web site www.uwm.edu/Dept/GLWI/location.html.

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