MADISON, Wis. – Keeping excess phosphorus from polluting the Yahara lakes has been a chief goal of the Madison community for many decades. Yet challenges like climate change, increasing urbanization and increased manure production on farms have been undermining significant progress in phosphorus reduction on the other end of the balance sheet.
This Thursday, July 9, Clean Lakes Alliance will host a Yahara Lakes 101 science café on the topic, with a presentation given by Dr. Eric Booth, research scientist with the UW-Madison Water Sustainability and Climate group and co-author of a new study that deals with these “shifting drivers” that are frustrating resource managers.
“The research done by Dr. Booth and his colleagues confirms that we need to deal with changes in climate and land use to achieve clean lakes,” said Elizabeth Katt-Reinders, Deputy Director of the Clean Lakes Alliance, the non-profit that produces the series of talks. “We have to work harder than in years past to reduce phosphorus loading to our lakes.”
About Yahara Lakes 101
For over two years now, Clean Lakes Alliance has partnered with the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies to invite experts to speak about the science behind relevant and interesting issues that impact the lakes. The talks are scheduled for the second Thursday of every month except December, and deal with topics such as algae, invasive species and urban stormwater.
David Schroder, volunteer monitor for Clean Lakes Alliance, thinks that more people should come. “Every Dane County resident should attend at least one Yahara Lakes 101 talk,” shared Schroder. “There’s so much going on and so much to learn about our lakes.”
As popularity and attendance has grown, the program has outgrown its original location at Bluephies Café on the lake level of Verex Plaza. In June, the non-profit moved the series to The Edgewater to accommodate a larger audience, offer free parking for attendees, and to allow for continued expansion of the program. Like Verex Plaza, The Edgewater boasts a lakeside patio with glorious views of Lake Mendota.
“The lakes are incredibly important to The Edgewater and to the community,” said Amy Supple, Senior Vice President and COO of The Edgewater. “We are excited to partner with CLA to host Yahara Lakes 101.”
The 2015 series is supported by a grant from the Evjue Foundation and presenting sponsor First Weber Foundation, with hosting sponsor The Edgewater and media partner The Isthmus. Visit the event webpage for the full lineup of speakers for 2015: http://www.cleanlakesalliance.com/yahara-lakes-101.
Yahara Lakes 101 is open to the public and free for Friends of Clean Lakes ($35 minimum donation per year) or $10 for others. Registration includes free parking, complimentary coffee, pastries and fruit. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the presentation runs from 8 to 9 a.m.
Contact:
Elizabeth Katt-Reinders
Clean Lakes Alliance Deputy Director
Phone: 608-255-1000
