CARING FOR OUR LAKES, RIVERS, & WETLANDS
365 Days a Year
CARING FOR OUR LAKES, RIVERS, & WETLANDS
365 Days a Year
About Take a Stake
For almost 30 years, Take a Stake volunteers have been working to protect and improve the lakes, streams and wetlands of Dane County. Since its creation in 1988, Take a Stake has been expanded by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission and Office of Lakes and Watersheds from two days of shoreline clean-ups, to a two-week series of countywide special events, and now year-round activities that help people celebrate, learn about, protect and improve Dane County waters, recognizing that care for Dane County’s lakes, streams and wetlands doesn’t happen only a couple weeks out of the year.
During Take a Stake in Our Waters events, groups, clubs, individuals and families adopt beaches, shorelines, streams and more to collect litter, remove invasive species, plant native plants, mark storm drains, as well as a number of other activities. Thousands of volunteers have participated in these events and made a huge impact in Dane County over the decades.
Events
Arboretum Wingra Oak Savanna Work Party
Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species in the Lake Wingra watershed. The UW-Madison Arboretum maintains one the oldest prairie restorations in the world.
Groups interested in volunteering should contact Marian Farrior in advance to coordinate.
Time and Place: 9am – noon, Wingra Oak Savanna at the UW Arboretum, meet at the parking lot on Arbor Drive, just off Monroe Street, Madison. Work parties are cancelled if it is raining or snowing.
Contact: Marian Farrior (608) 265-5214 mlfarrior@wisc.edu; see http://uwarboretum.org/volunteer/positions/#ecological_restoration for more information
Fall Prairie Seed Collection
Have you ever walked out amongst tall prairie grasses and plants? Help Friends of Dane County Parks collect native plants seeds while also experiencing the beauty of prairie plants up close. You will learn about the species as well as help collect seed for future prairie plantings. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, closed toed shoes, bring own drinking water, work gloves and be prepared for mosquitos. Suitable for children age 8 and older if a parent o …
Read moreArboretum Core Area/Curtis Prairie Work Party
Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species in the Lake Wingra watershed. The UW-Madison Arboretum maintains one the oldest prairie restorations in the world.
Groups interested in volunteering should contact Marian Farrior in advance to coordinate.
Time and Place: 9am – noon, Core Area/Curtis Prairie at the UW Arboretum. Meet at the Visitor Center front steps, Madison. Work parties are cancelled if it is raining or snowing.
Contact: Marian Farrior (608) 265-5214 mlfarrior@wisc.edu; see http://uwarboretum.org/volunteer/positions/#ecological_restoration for more information
Friends of Monona Bay Monthly Shoreline Cleanup
Help keep Monona Bay clean by participating in the monthly shoreline trash cleanup! Dress for the weather and be prepared to go up and down the boulders along the shoreline (we do not reschedule for weather).
Time and Place: 10:00am - Noon. Meet at the Brittingham Beach House located at 701 W. Brittingham Place, the same location as Brittingham Boats. Please note that this is NOT the Brittingham Park Shelter.
Contact: Any questions, contact Nina Emerson ninajemerson@yahoo.com or 608-698-9708.
Annual River Clean-Up
Help the Friends of the Yahara River Headwaters clean the river of trash and woody debris. Attendees will be provided waders but are encouraged to bring warm clothes and good work gloves. A lunch will be provided for all volunteers.
Time and Place: 9:00am-1:00pm @ Veterans Memorial Park, DeForest
Contact: If you are interested in volunteering, contact Joleen Stinson 608-846-6751 stinsonj@vi.deforest.wi.us http://www.yaharariver.org/
Aquatic Debris Collection
Shoreline Residents:
The annual Take a Stake in Our Waters shoreline trash and aquatic debris collection by Dane County Lakes Management barges begins on:
Lakes Mendota & Kegonsa
Monday, July 18, 2016
Lakes Monona & Waubesa
Monday, July 25, 2016
YES: Aquatic vegetation (lake weeds, algae), debris washed up on shore (trash, dead fish, etc.)
NO: Yard waste or brush (grass clippings, leaves, tree limbs), household waste (garbage, pet waste, etc.)
Barges will make ONE pass around the lake. Have debris on your pier by 6 am Monday so you don’t miss the collection. It may be a few days until they get to your pier. If the water adjacent to your pier is too shallow to allow our access from the water, we may not be able to pick up debris from your pier.
Questions about this shoreline cleanup? Call John Reimer at (608) 224-3612. For all other questions about Dane County waters, visit www.danewaters.com.
If you don't currently reside at your lakefront property, please make sure that those who live there are aware of this shoreline debris collection.
