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THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE MADISON TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER |
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FEATURES |
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“Take a Stake in the Lakes” makes a difference on Madison’s shorelines More than 200 volunteers from 10 different community organizations participated in the 17th annual “Take a Stake in the Lakes” volunteer shoreline cleanup June 12-19. On Saturday, June 12, volunteers raked beaches, collected litter, and stenciled storm drains on Lake Mendota, Lake Kegonsa, and Lake Wingra in an event sponsored by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission along with several businesses and groups. “The clean-up work of these volunteers makes a huge difference in the quality of our shorelines,” said Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. 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 clean rivers 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 were provided. As part of “Take a Stake in the Lakes,” Dane County Public Works conducts its once-a-year pick-up of shore trash and aquatic debris from the piers of shoreline residents. The pickup on Lake Monona and Lake Waubesa was on Saturday, June 19. Aquatic debris includes lake weeds, driftwood, and debris that have washed up on shore such as trash, and dead fish. Yard waste or brush such as grass clippings, leaves and limbs, and household waste such as garbage and pet waste are not aquatic debris and should not be placed on the pier. Take a Stake in the Lakes was 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. Other sponsors were WMMM-FM, Alliant Energy Foundation, Copp’s Food Stores, Crabby Hermit Dive Shop, Diversions, Twentieth Century, Yahara Lakes Association, US Cellular, Klinke Cleaners, Lakeshore Coca-Cola, Noodles & Co., Woodman’s Micheal’s Frozen Custard, REI, Lake Waubesa Conservation Association, Madison Top Company, and Brett Hulsey.
END OF FEATURE STORIES |
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