By Donnelly Clare

The Friends of Little Plover River have announced a series of upcoming events involving the river, which begins in Stockton and forms the Springville Pond before joining the Wisconsin River.

The Little Plover River last year was named the 4th most endangered river in the nation by the conservation ground American Rivers due to excessive irrigation.

River- themed artwork of 140 4th grade students from Roosevelt and Plover/Whiting elementary schools will be showcased on May 8 and 9 at the Village of Plover Municipal Building, 2400 Post Road, on May 8 & 9. The theme of the artwork is “Following the Flow…Enjoying Wisconsin Waterways”.

May 9th is Little Plover River Appreciation Day held at Little Plover River Park on Hoover Avenue. The event runs from noon through 2:45 PM and is designed to teach area students about fishing, marine life, water conservation and water quality.

River-themed artwork will also be showcased at the Riverfront Art Gallery, 1200 Crosby Avenue, from 5-7 PM on May 9 and 10.

The gallery will also host a conversation about water led by artists of the exhibition as well as Professor of Biology Bob Freckman from UWSP, who will also lead a field trip to Little Plover River Park at 2:30 on May 10. The public is welcome.

Friends of Little Plover River formed after a series of  major dry-ups on the river in 2005-2009 and to increase awareness of groundwater quantity issues in the watershed of the Little Plover River and throughout Portage County.

For more information contact Barb Gifford, president of Friends of Little Plover River, at 715-344-3539 or [email protected]