26th Annual Take a Stake Continues with Late Summer Fun
August 16, 2013
Sue Jones, 608-224-3764, jones.susan@countyofdane.com;
Rhea Stangel-Maier, 608-224-3601, stangel-maier@countyofdane.com
(Madison, WI) Summer might be winding down, but Take a Stake in Our Waters (formerly Take a Stake in the Lakes) is still going strong. Take a Stake continues to offer events that help people celebrate, learn about, protect, and improve Dane County’s lakes and streams.
“Now that Take a Stake is celebrated year round, everyone has an opportunity to join in the many efforts to clean up and celebrate our lakes and waterways,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “Whether you’re a youth leader helping kids marks storm drains or part of a neighborhood group clearing trash from the shoreline, there are so many ways to participate.”
Groups, clubs, businesses, individuals and families collect litter and rake aquatic debris from beaches, shorelines and streams. Some adopt boat launches while others paddle their canoes or kayaks to pick up trash. Others mark storm drains with messages reminding folks to keep trash, leaves and grass clippings out of the street gutters, which drain directly to our lakes and streams. Thousands of volunteers have removed hundreds of tons of waste all over Dane County over the past quarter century.
On Saturday, August 17, the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association will lead guided tours down the Sugar River, have music, food and a raffle. See this little known gem up close and personal and learn about the effort to protect and enhance this stream. Science Thursdays continue on Lake Wingra through August 22nd. Friends of the Badfish Creek are hosting a canoe outing on August 24th. The second annual Belleville Lake Fest will be held on September 1. Details for these and many other events are listed on www.takeastakeinthelakes.com.
Develop your own event or join another project already scheduled. Take a Stake in Our Waters by picking up shoreline trash and aquatic debris any time of the year. If requested, tools, garbage bags and volunteer t-shirts will be provided. Mark storm drains May through September. To volunteer or add your water-related event to the list, send details to lakes@countyofdane.com or complete the form at www.takeastakeinthelakes.com in the volunteer section. Be sure to indicate whether you are recruiting volunteers for your project or event.
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