Take a Stake in the Lakes Days Event List

Dane County's Groundwater

Water once again takes center stage at this month's Middleton Green Thursday as Dr. Ken Bradbury will speak about ongoing research on Dane County’s groundwater, including the development of a new groundwater flow model, the detection of viruses in some deep wells, and new insights into the county’s underground plumbing. Ken received his PhD in Geology from the UW-Madison in 1982, and is a research hydrogeologist/professor with the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, University of Wisconsin-Extension. He serves as Program Leader of water and environmental programs for the Survey.  Green Thursdays are sponsored by the City of Middleton Sustainability Committee and Willy West. Free refreshments are provided.

Waters of Wisconsin Day

A public forum, "Waters of Wisconsin: Taking Stock, Looking Forward" in the afternoon and an Academy Evening Talk featuring internationally renowned water expert Sandra Postel. Hosted by the Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters.

"Waters of Wisconsin: Taking Stock, Looking Forward" It's been ten years since the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters issued its landmark Waters of Wisconsin recommendations on safeguarding the future of our aquatic ecosystems and resources. Join us for a provocative afternoon forum where water experts will examine progress over the last decade, and look at major trends and projections that will shape Wisconsin's freshwater ecosystems and water resources in the next ten years. Registration and informal networking opens at noon. The formal program begins at 1:00 p.m. and will wrap up at 4:00 p.m. The $25 registration fee includes an invitation to a special reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Overture Center's Promenade Lounge to meet internationally renowned water expert Sandra Postel and mingle with other water leaders prior to her Academy Evening Talk at 7:00 p.m. on Our Freshwater Future: Peril and Promise.

Our Freshwater Future: Peril and Promise In a very special launch of the Wisconsin Academy's renewed Waters of Wisconsin initiative, global water expert Sandra Postel returns to Madison to discuss the threats to our precious freshwater resources—and what we can do about them. She will discuss the challenge of feeding and sustaining seven billion people in a warming, water-stressed world—while at the same time preserving the freshwater ecosystems that support our economies and the web of life on the planet. Postel directs the Global Water Policy Project and is Freshwater Fellow of the National Geographic Society.

Boating Safety Class

Wisconsin Ecology 16th Annual Spring Symposium

 http://www.sesync.org/Hear Dr. Margaret Palmer, Director National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center   Student presentations at 2:30 pm, Dr. Palmer at 3:30 pm.  Reception to follow.Process-based Restoration to Restore Freshwater Ecosystems. present  

Learn All About Home Composting Including Leaf Management

The City of Madison Streets Division will offer home composting workshops this spring. The workshops, taught by Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann will cover home compost basics including what materials to compost, where to put your compost bin, and when to turn your compost pile. Plans for building your own compost bin will also be available.  

In addition to home composting, people attending the class will get information on how to manage leaves on their property. Learn more about the City of Madison's new Leave the Leaf program.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

Volunteer Oak Pruning and Clean Up with Friends of Yahara Parkway

Learn All About Home Composting Including Leaf Management

The City of Madison Streets Division will offer home composting workshops this spring. The workshops, taught by Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann will cover home compost basics including what materials to compost, where to put your compost bin, and when to turn your compost pile. Plans for building your own compost bin will also be available.  

In addition to home composting, people attending the class will get information on how to manage leaves on their property. Learn more about the City of Madison's new Leave the Leaf program.

Webinar - Discover Wetlands

A free education program for students in grades 4-8 and their teachers. Session comes to you from Cordova, Alaska.  Free.  Register at http://wetlandslive.pwnet.org/index.php

Become a Volunteer Stream Monitor

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Looking for a way to protect streams in the Rock River basin?  Become a citizen stream monitor with the Rock River Coalition (RRC).  Only a few hours each month, April to October, required.  RRC will provide training and equipment.

This event will train you to be a citizen stream monitor.  This is a hands-on, feet in the stream training, learning the stream monitoring methods you will use when you become a citizen stream monitor.  Pre-registration required. 

Volunteer Restoration of Yahara River Parkway

CamRock Clean-Up Day

Six Mile Creek Clean Up

Arboretum Wingra Oak Savanna Work Party

"Ready, Set, Wear it" Day to Promote Boater Safety

Volunteer Clean Up Event at Burr Jones Field

Sustainable Landscaping & Shoreline Enhancement Seminar

Free two-hour event, hosted by Lake Ripley Management District and led by John J. Gishnock III, owner of Formecology, LLC. Pre-registration required. 

Learn All About Home Composting Including Leaf Management

The City of Madison Streets Division will offer home composting workshops this spring. The workshops, taught by Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann will cover home compost basics including what materials to compost, where to put your compost bin, and when to turn your compost pile. Plans for building your own compost bin will also be available.  

In addition to home composting, people attending the class will get information on how to manage leaves on their property. Learn more about the City of Madison's new Leave the Leaf program.

Arboretum Grady Tract Work Party

Capitol City Water Trails Six Mile Creek Clean Up

Learn All About Home Composting Including Leaf Management

The City of Madison Streets Division will offer home composting workshops this spring. The workshops, taught by Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckmann will cover home compost basics including what materials to compost, where to put your compost bin, and when to turn your compost pile. Plans for building your own compost bin will also be available.  

In addition to home composting, people attending the class will get information on how to manage leaves on their property. Learn more about the City of Madison's new Leave the Leaf program.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

Spectrum Brands Cleans Up Orchid Heights Park in Middleton

Annual Monona Terrace Underwater Clean-Up

VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help MadisonScuba clean up Lake Monona.  You would be amazed at what finds its way to the bottom of Lake Monona in front of the terrace.  Cans, bottles, 55 gallon drums, chairs from the top of the terrace, fishing poles, anchors and more!  Yes, there are fish there also.  Perch, sunfish, crappies and carp.  Once in a while a walleye.

Meet 10:00am at Law Park 410 South Blair Street, Madison for the dive briefing, buddy assignment, and assignment of area and duties.  Bring a mesh bag for collecting, lift bags and a light is good too. 

No penetration under the terrace.  Lunch will be served after the first drive.  A second dive is optional after lunch.  Bring your c-card!

Complimentary air tanks will be provided by MadisonScuba.  If you need gear, free rental of gear is available from the MadisonScuba shop, 686 Progress Way, Sun Prairie.  Please reserve your gear by stopping by the shop the week before the evnt.  MadisonScuba is open T-W-T from 5 to 9 pm.

Please sign up at http://www.madisonscuba.com/all-events/annual-monona-terrace-clean-up-3 so we know who is coming.  Also, include in the comments which dives you will be on (morning, afternoon, or both) and if you will have lunch with us.

Come out and promote the good practices of scuba diving in our lakes.  This dive is in conjunction with PADI's Project Aware.

Wingra Watershed Windig

Divers Needed - Clean Up Lake Monona

Arboretum Wingra Oak Savanna Work Party

Stream Ecology at Black Earth Creek

Be a stream ecologist for a day!  Get hands-on experience to learn stream ecology& explore the waters of a beloved trout stream: Black Earth Creek.  Use sampling equipment to measure water quality & collect aquatic insects & fish.  Great fun and learning for the whole family!  Ages 7+ 

Sponsored by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.  Cost is $12 adults / $6 child, per person.  Also, membership in the Natural Resources Foundation is required.  ($15 if you use the passcode: Join NRF)  Enrollment for this trip is limited.  Check the website to make sure there are still slots available  before paying the NRF membership fee.

Fools Flotilla

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Let it be declared that on this day of Sunday the ninth of June there will take place upon that good water known as the Yahara, a grand flotilla of fools. Verily will those vessels known sometimes as “canoes” be adorned by all good gentlemen and ladies who would care to join this water-borne parade to attend the faire at Waterfront on the shores of Lake Monona.  Costume up yourselves, dress up your boat, your kids and the dog too.  Float from the dam at Lake Mendota to Yahara Place Park on Yahara Place, site of the Festival.  Prizes awarded for the most foolish of fools among you. 

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Upper Sugar River Canoe Exploration

An exclusive opportunity!  Paddle a scenic section of the Upper Sugar River to see first-hand what's being done to protect this waterway so close to suburbia.  Memorable moments: Pass an old stagecoach stop & Indian mound, transverse the meandering river & observe a variety of wildlife.  Canoes provided.  This trip is a fundraiser for conservation work by the Upper Sugar River Endowment Fund. 

Sponsored by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.  Cost is $55 per person (tax deductible).  Also, membership in the Natural Resources Foundation is required.  ($15 if you use the passcode: Join NRF)  Enrollment is limited.  Check the website to make sure the trip has slots available before paying the NRF membership fee.

Capitol City Water Trails Sugar River Clean Up

Sugar River Work Day

Get dirty to clean streams! Volunteers age 16 and up are invited to join USRWA for a few hours of clearing large debris and downed trees from the Sugar River. Downed trees not only create obstacles for paddlers, but also facilitate erosion by altering the natural flow path of the river. Wear clothes/shoes you don't mind getting wet and dirty, and bring gloves and handsaws/loppers if you have them! ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! 

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Sugar River Work Day

Get dirty to clean streams! Volunteers age 16 and up are invited to join USRWA for a few hours of clearing large debris and downed trees from the Sugar River. Downed trees not only create obstacles for paddlers, but also facilitate erosion by altering the natural flow path of the river. Wear clothes/shoes you don't mind getting wet and dirty, and bring gloves and handsaws/loppers if you have them! ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! 

Capitol City Water Trails Sugar River Clean Up

Paddle for the Polar Bears

Help Paddleboard Specialists and Wingra Boats make waves and raise funds on Lake Wingra.  Sign up for introductory stand up paddleboarding (SUP) lessons, with 50% of all proceeds benefitting Henry Vilas Zoo's state-of-the-art Arctic Passage Exhibit, a home for polar bears and seals.

SUP is all about having a good time while engaging in a fast-growing, simple-to-learn sport.  This one-hour course will teach you:  Finding the sweet spot for balance and comfort, paddling technique, and basic turning technique. 

To ensure your spot we recommend that you pre-register.  Minuimum age for kids is 11 years old.  Younger kids may be able to ride on the front of a board with our staff or with their parents after mom and/or dad learn.  Cost is $30, with 50% going to Henry Vilas Zoo's Arctic Passage.

Arboretum Wingra Oak Savanna Work Party

Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species in an oak savanna near the shore of Lake WingraADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! 

Paddle for the Polar Bears

Help Paddleboard Specialists and Wingra Boats make waves and raise funds on Lake Wingra.  Sign up for introductory stand up paddleboarding (SUP) lessons, with 50% of all proceeds benefitting Henry Vilas Zoo's state-of-the-art Arctic Passage Exhibit, a home for polar bears and seals.

SUP is all about having a good time while engaging in a fast-growing, simple-to-learn sport.  This one-hour course will teach you:  Finding the sweet spot for balance and comfort, paddling technique, and basic turning technique. 

To ensure your spot we recommend that you pre-register.  Minuimum age for kids is 11 years old.  Younger kids may be able to ride on the front of a board with our staff or with their parents after mom and/or dad learn.  Cost is $30, with 50% going to Henry Vilas Zoo's Arctic Passage.

Arboretum Grady Tract Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species in the Grady Tract of the Arboretum. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Paddle & Pig Out in Paoli

Join the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association (USRWA) in Paoli Park (near intersection of Hwy 69 and PB in Paoli) for a free community paddling event! USRWA and its generous partners will supply the canoes and PFDs with trips departing at 9am, noon and 3pm.  Trips are first come, first served, so please arrive early to reserve your spot! In addition to the paddling, there will be other activities for the entire family and a meal option. This event is completely FREE and open to the public. 

Arboretum Wingra Oak Savanna Work Party

Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species in an oak savanna near the shore of Lake WingraADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME! 

Native Gardening Conference

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!  Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.