Activities
Midwest Fisheries Center Outreach Program
The Whitney Genetics Lab is part of the Midwest Fisheries Center and provides all the same outreach programs available at the Center. All of the programs we offer are free of charge. You can either come visit us for a tour or we can accommodate your needs by coming to you or meeting you at a designated location. We serve the La Crosse area and surrounding counties in all nearby states.
Adult Programs
- Career presentations for college students can be held at your location or at the Center.
- Presentations on current research projects can be held at your location or at the Center.
- Discover the impactful projects of the Midwest Fisheries Center through a presentation tailored for your organization.
Youth Programs
We are able to go to your classroom or organization for these programs:
- Freshwater Mussels: Do you love weird and unusual animals? Join us for a fascinating program on the unique and vital role of freshwater mussels in local rivers! In this engaging 40-minute presentation, you'll discover the biology of these remarkable creatures, learn about the reasons many are endangered, and participate in a hands-on activity to help identify these important animals.
- Fish Identification: students will transform into in-classroom fish biologists using live fish! They will develop their observational skills to study fish behavior, formulate questions based on their observations, connect their findings to existing knowledge, and learn how to identify different fish species. A hands-on experience that brings aquatic biology to life!
- A Day in the Life of a Fish Biologist: Meet us outside for a day in the life of a fish biologist. Students will explore the career paths of professional fish biologists and then venture outside in waders to catch fish using nets. They’ll gain hands-on experience collecting data and identifying fish species in their natural habitat. All equipment will be provided by us.
- Being a USFWS Fish Biologist: Join us for a 20-minute presentation on pursuing a career as a fish biologist with the USFWS. This session covers degree requirements, the pros and cons of the profession, salary and benefits, and features videos of fish biologists in action. For those interested in a hands-on experience, an activity with live fish can be included at the end.
Environmental Education
We are dedicated to fostering scientific literacy in the next generation through engaging outdoor programs. We use programs from the BEETLES organization curriculum, which align with Next Generation Science Standards and are designed to empower students with essential science skills. These programs aim to have students engage directly with nature, experience instruction based on how people learn, think like scientists, participate in culturally relevant learning environments, and learn through discussions. We provide flexible options to meet you in various settings, whether it's at a school forest, park, public land, schoolyard, or another location. Each program is hands-on and outdoors, covering a wide range of subjects, including:
- Nature Exploration
- Lichen Exploration
- Tree Investigation
- Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Investigation
- Bird Language Investigation.
Community Events
- We are available to set up a table/booth highlighting our collective fish and aquatic conservation efforts at your organization’s career fair, open house, or outdoor festival.
- Assistance with fishing days.
- We co-host Youth Outdoor Fest. Please contact us if you’re interested in participating.
How to schedule a program:
Please reach out to our Outreach Specialist, Cristina Dahl, at cristina_dahl@fws.gov or 608-514-1337.
Other Facilities in the Complex
The Midwest Fisheries Center houses the La Crosse Fish Health Center, La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Whitney Genetics Lab and administrative, GIS and outreach staff, as well as the Regional Watercraft Safety Coordinator.
