2011 Take a Stake in the Lakes - Dane County's Cleanup Event
June 01, 2011
Rhea Stangel-Maier, Dane County Parks Volunteer Program Coordinator, 224-3601
Sue Jones, Watershed Management Coordinator, 224-3764
Land & Water Resources
The 24th Annual Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteer cleanup of the Yahara Lakes and other area waters will be held on June 11th and June 18th, 2011. Call now to reserve your group’s favorite park, stream or stretch of shoreline, or to find out how you can help protect our beautiful lakes.
Over the years, thousands of volunteers have removed hundreds of tons of waste from Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa and Wingra. 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 while others paddle their canoes or kayaks to pick up trash. 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 mark storm drains in their neighborhoods using either stencil kits and spray paint or colorful disks that are glued to the curb. The message reminds folks to keep waste, leaves and grass clippings out of the gutters, which drain directly to our lakes and streams.
“Dane County’s water resources define our communities and provide recreational opportunities that we all enjoy. That’s why every year, in the Dane County Way, volunteers from all over the area give the lakes a great spring cleaning during Take A Stake in the Lakes. Please join us again this year,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.
Lakes Mendota and Kegonsa will be the focus on Saturday, June 11th, 9 a.m.- noon.
Lakes Monona, Waubesa and Wingra will be the focus on Saturday, June 18th, 9 a.m.- noon, with an information center at Law Park in Madison.
Dane County Public Works barges will pickup aquatic trash and debris from Lake Mendota and Lake Kegonsa shoreline residents’ piers beginning on Monday, June 13 and on Lake Monona and Waubesa starting on Monday, June 20. Barges make ONE pass around the lake starting at 6 a.m. Aquatic debris must be on shoreline residents’ piers by 6 a.m. even though the barges may not get to everyone’s pier right that day.
To participate or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Rhea Stangel-Maier at 608-224-3601 or stangel-maier@countyofdane.com. On Saturday June 18, volunteers may also come to the information center, where storm drain marking kits and garbage bags will be available.
Sponsored by the Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission, Take a Stake in the Lakes Clean Ups are part of Take a Stake in the Lakes Days, which celebrates and promotes public awareness of the Yahara Lakes and other water resources in Dane County. 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. Visit www.takeastakeinthelakes.com for more information.