University of Wisconsin–Madison

The seventh graders who changed Wisconsin’s lakes

Episode 25

Transcript

In this episode, we uncover the story of how a popular watercraft inspection program evolved from a middle school science project in Northern Wisconsin. 

The Clean Boats, Clean Waters program trains volunteers to perform boat and trailer checks and educate lake users about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Since 2004, inspectors have checked over two million boats across Wisconsin and connected with countless people about the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying their watercraft.  

The program is one of the most robust and successful in the country, but it had humble beginnings: a middle school science class in the early 2000s. Maree Stewart, one of the three Minocqua-area students behind the project, explains how the group wanted to fight the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil in Northwoods lakes.

“Living in Minocqua, there’s lakes everywhere, and so that was a cause that was important to all of us,” said Stewart.

With the help of dedicated teachers and mentors, the team submitted a proposal about AIS educational kits to a national competition for student-led STEM projects. It was a long shot for three kids from a small town, so imagine their surprise upon learning they were a top-ten finalist.

What unfolded next was an unforgettable experience — a trip to Disney World, a Shark Tank-style pitch, the euphoria of winning $25,000 — that forever changed AIS prevention and lakes across Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region.

This episode is dedicated to Luke Voellinger, one of the original student founders who passed away in 2019.

Students Maree, Janelle, and Luke, in the original Clean Boats, Clean Waters shirts, pose at their educational booth.
Students Maree, Janelle, and Luke, in the original Clean Boats, Clean Waters shirts, pose at their educational booth. (Submitted photo)
The students worked in close collaboration with Laura Marquardt, Sandy Wickman, and Lisa Ahlers.
The students worked in close collaboration with Laura Marquardt, Sandy Wickman, and Lisa Ahlers. (Submitted photo)

Resources

Get involved in Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Get involved in the Great Lakes Landing Blitz
Boats per capita in the US
Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation grants
Eurasian watermilfoil
Eurasian watermilfoil spread – interactive map
Timeline of AIS introductions and policy in Great Lakes region
Invasive species rule NR 40

Thanks to our guests

Maree Stewart, student award winner
Lisa Ahlers, former teacher, Minocqua, Wisconsin
Laura Marquart, formerly Extension Lakes
Erin McFarlane, Extension Lakes
Bijit Khadka, University of Wisconsin-Madison

And thanks to our other contributors:

Sandy Wickman, formerly Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Bob Korth, formerly Extension Lakes
Judi Fellows, CBCW inspector
Linda Bogdala, CBCW inspector
Keith Montgomery, CBCW coordinator
Mary Doden, CBCW coordinator