SYMPOSIUM PRESENTER TITLE: The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway: A riparian corridor with wetlands of international importance ABSTRACT: The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway encompasses nearly 100,000 acres of public and private lands along the final 92 miles of this beautiful state’s namesake river. I have served as Executive Director of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board since inception of the project in 1989. I will provide a description of the project’s creation and purpose and a brief overview of the social history of the lower Wisconsin River valley. I also will discuss my personal observations regarding changes to the landscape, to the river, and to the associated wetlands on both public and private lands. Additionally, I will provide insights on changes in attitudes toward climate change and land stewardship in both the public and private sectors and will conclude with thoughts about challenges facing natural resources professionals and landowners in the future. BIO: Mark Cupp has served as Executive Director of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board since inception of the project in 1989. Cupp also is Chair of the Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation Board, having served on that body since 2000. He holds leadership positions in other organizations related to protection of important archeological and historical sites in the Riverway and Upper Midwest.