Jenni & Kyle Preserve – Aquatic Pond Cleanup

Please join our staff at the beautiful Jenni & Kyle Preserve to help remove aquatic invasive species from two spring-fed ponds. This preserve is one of the few urban fisheries in the county that offers accessible fishing specifically for youth and persons with disabilities and is the site of our Learn-To-Fish Program offered by the Lussier Heritage Center.

Participants will use a variety of “floating rakes” to reduce both floating algae and invasive plant fragments, and hard rakes will be used to go after underwater growth. For participants who would like to bring their own tools, temporary floating rakes are easy to make with a pool noodle and duct tape. Volunteers will take the harvested plants from around the pond using pitch forks and wheelbarrows to pile into a central dumping spot.

Volunteers can also bring their own waders to go further into the ponds to remove weeds, though there are several steep drop-off areas that staff will limit access to.

You do not need to be experienced in plant ID or have any prior knowledge of aquatic species removal - we will have an overview of each species we'll be harvesting. Tools will be provided and there are bathrooms and a water fountain on site. Young adults 16-18 are welcome to attend with a waiver signed by a parent.

What to Bring: Bring drinking water, sunscreen, bug spray, gloves, a hat, and a snack, if desired. Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind working in or mind getting wet. Rubber boots and rubber gloves are recommended, though not required.

• Participants are welcome to bring their own hard rakes and pre-made floating rakes (learn how to make your own!) and waders for those who want to get into the thick of things.

 For further questions contact: 

Pete Jopke / (608) 228-4202 Jopke@danecounty.gov

Matt Amrhein / (608) 381-5897 matt11sports@gmail.com

Claire Lamberg / (608) 516-3703 lamberg.claire@danecounty.gov