Volunteers needed for Take a Stake in the Lakes 2005

April 13, 2005
Rhea Stangel-Maier (608) 224-3601 stangel-maier@co.dane.wi.us
Land & Water Resources

The 18th annual Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteer cleanup of the Yahara Lakes will be held on June 11 and June 18, 2005. Lakes Mendota, Kegonsa and Wingra will be the focus on Saturday, June 11 from 9:00-12:00, with the information center at Wingra Park in Madison. Lakes Monona and Waubesa will be the focus on Saturday, June 18 from 9:00-12:00, with the information center at Law Park in Madison. Over the years, thousands of volunteers have removed hundreds of tons of waste from Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa. During Take a Stake in the Lakes, groups, individuals and families adopt a beach or shoreline, collect litter and rake aquatic debris from the shoreline and shallow waters. Some adopt boat launches, and some pick up trash while paddling their canoes or kayaks. Many groups then have a picnic in the park they’ve just cleaned up. Garbage bags, T-shirts and door prizes are provided. Volunteers can also stencil storm drains in their neighborhoods using a stencil kit and spray paint provided by Dane County Extension. The stencil is a reminder to keep leaves and grass clippings out of the gutters, which drain directly to the lakes and encourage the growth of lake weeds. Shoreline residents: Dane County Public Works barges will conduct the annual aquatic debris pickup from your pier on Lake Mendota and Lake Kegonsa on Monday June 13; and on Lake Monona and Waubesa on Monday June 20. Note: Aquatic debris must be on shoreline residents’ piers by 6 am Monday after the perspective lakes clean-up event. Call now to reserve your group’s favorite park or stretch of shoreline, or to find out how you can help protect our beautiful lakes. Take a Stake in the Lakes is sponsored by the Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission and is part of Yahara Lakes Week, which celebrates and promotes public awareness of the Yahara Lakes. The event is held in cooperation with Dane County Parks, Dane County Public Works and Dane County/UW Extension, and is sponsored by many local businesses and organizations. To participate or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, call Rhea Stangel-Maier at 608-224-3601 or stangel-maier@co.dane.wi.us). Volunteers may also come to the information centers, where stencil kits and garbage bags will be available.