A Few Highlights from 2012 Take a Stake in the Lakes

June 1, 2012 Kick-off Event

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi was joined by Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commissioners, Clean Lakes Alliance and about 170 Lands’ End employees at Olin Park to kick-off the 25th anniversary of Take a Stake in the Lakes. Volunteers worked at six different sites around the Yahara lakes that day.

Olin Park, Madison
Volunteers filled 30 bags with trash from the shoreline and park. A dumpster was filled with invasive species pulled from Olin Woods and aquatic plants raked from Lake Monona.

UW Lakeshore, Madison
Volunteers removed trash from the shoreline and planted 1,100 native wildflowers to minimize runoff pollution.

Jackson Landing, Town of Westport
Volunteers cut and hauled brush on this 15-acre site to make way for prairie restoration near the lakeshore.

Holy Wisdom Monastery, Middleton
Volunteers cleared invasive species to help maximize the prairie restoration’s ability to infiltrate runoff pollution.

Pheasant Branch, Middleton
Volunteers cut and cleared invasive plants and trees from wetland areas and along the hillside at the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Lakeview Community Park, Middleton
Volunteers removed aquatic plants and algae from Lakeview pond, planted native wildflowers and spread mulch in the park.

June 5, Lower Yahara River Trail Project

Nearly 80 Thermo Fisher employees participated in Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission’s annual spring cleaning for the lakes by cutting brush, picking up garbage, improving access and views from McDaniel Park area to the lake on 2,000 feet of shoreline, spreading wood chips on a walking path, protecting and improving habitat for existing native species, and improving access to finalize survey, design and environmental review for the Lower Yahara River Trail. When complete, the bike path will span approximately 10 miles from Stoughton through McFarland, and will also connect with the very popular Capital City bike path in Madison. Thermo Fisher contributed 640 volunteer hours to the community project, and also donated $10,000 to help fund it. Additional volunteer hours were spent treating stumps after Thermo Fisher employees had left for the day.

Adam Alves, Dane County Parks Arborist, shares safety tips when using tools to remove invasive species.

June 16, Dane County Waters Champion Award Ceremony and Reception

The annual Dane County Waters Champion Award ceremony, sponsored by Clean Lakes Alliance this year, wrapped up Take a Stake in the Lakes Days during an afternoon reception at Jazz in the Park. Twenty-five years of Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteers were honored as Dane County Waters Champions. Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission Chair Melissa Malott emceed the annual recognition. Clean Lakes Alliance provided a beautiful cake, snacks and beverages in a special reception area just for volunteers.

The Madison Sail and Power Squadron is just one of many shining examples of dedicated Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteers.
Many thanks to all 25 years of Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteers!

The Dane County Waters Champion reception was hosted by the Clean Lakes Alliance this year.

Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission Chair Melissa Mallot recognizing 25 years of volunteers as the 2012 Dane County Waters Champions.

Past and present Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commissioners and staff at the annual Dane County Waters Champion Award reception.

A sincere THANK YOU to each and every Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteer that has so selflessly given their time to help protect and improve Dane County’s precious lakes and streams. See you next year!