Contact: Rhea Stangel-Maier, Volunteer Coordinator, 224-3601
Sue Jones, Watershed Management Coordinator, 224-3764
Part of Take a Stake in the Lakes Days, June 4-19, 2011
The 24th Annual Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteer cleanups of Dane County’s lakes and streams were held on June 11th and June 18th, 2011. Over one thousand people joined efforts to clean up litter and rake aquatic weeds and other debris from beaches, shorelines, shallows and launches. Others paddled or used their boats to collect trash from lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, Stewart and Kegonsa as well as local streams and Cherokee Marsh.
“I want to thank the dedicated volunteers who spent their time sprucing up the lakes this weekend,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “These volunteer efforts are an important component to keeping our lakes clean, safe and healthy for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Many items found, such as styrofoam, plastic bottles and cups, and aluminum cans, often get blown by the wind or washed by rain into the nearest storm drain and on into the lake. Some items like flip flops and other footwear and clothing are left behind or lost in the lakes. Other items such as bikes, railroad ties and spikes, mattresses, CD players, engines and more are intentionally thrown into the lake. But, thanks to Take a Stake in the Lakes volunteers, these items along with other garbage are removed.
In addition to picking up trash, volunteers also glue attention-grabbing colorful disks to the curb near storm drains. The message reminds folks to keep waste, leaves and grass clippings out of the street gutters, which drain directly to our lakes and streams.
Many celebrated their hard work with a picnic afterwards. Volunteers received t-shirts for their efforts, in addition to the satisfaction that comes from helping to protect and improve Dane County’s water resources.
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 celebrate 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, City of Madison Parks, Dane County Public Works and Dane County Cooperative Extension, and is sponsored by many local businesses and organizations including 1055. Triple M Green Team, Lake Waubesa Conservation Association, Madison Fishing Expo and Top Promotions. More information on Take a Stake in the Lakes Days is available at http://www.takeastakeinthelakes.com. To participate or to discuss sponsorship opportunities for 2012, contact Rhea Stangel-Maier at 608-224-3601 or stangel-maier@countyofdane.com.
