Clean Lakes Alliance

2026 Happy Hour Summit
2026-02-04 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | The Edgewater , 1001 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, 53703, United States
Frozen Assets Happy Hour Summit

Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026Time: 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.Where: The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison)Suggested Attire: Guests are invited to embrace the season by wearing festive,winter-inspired indoor attire

REGISTER – 2026 FROZEN ASSETS HAPPY HOUR SUMMIT

Warm up your winter at Frozen Assets

Warm up your winter by celebrating our community’s greatest asset — our lakes! Join us for a lively happy-hour reception and forum featuring local leaders, with remarks from Dane County Executive Melissa Agard and a panel discussion with area mayors, including Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Middleton’s Emily Kuhn, Stoughton’s Tim Swadley, Fitchburg’s Julia Arata-Fratta, and Sun Prairie’s Steve Stocker.

Mingle and connect with neighbors from throughout the watershed and learn how broader stewardship actions are being coordinated through the Renew the Blue Council, a cross-sector coalition convened by Clean Lakes Alliance to achieve swimmable lakes, resilient landscapes, and a thriving watershed community.

2026 Frozen Assets Festival
2026-02-07 10:00 - 15:00 | The Edgewater Hotel, 1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
About the Frozen Assets Festival

Join Clean Lakes Alliance on Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Frozen Assets, with Presenting Sponsor CG Schmidt and Hosting Sponsor The Edgewater, and many other sponsors! The family-friendly festival on frozen Lake Mendota at The Edgewater connects the community with the lake through free winter activities.

Festival attendees can see skydiving, figure skating, dance, science, large show kite demonstrations, and the legendary Mary B ice boat. Guests can also participate in an Indigenous Snow Snake Contest, try pond hockey and snowshoeing, and enjoy free ice skating and hot chocolate, among other activities.

The day begins with the annual Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on frozen Lake Mendota. Whether you run, walk, ski, snowshoe, skate, or even ride in a sled, participants experience the thrill of crossing frozen Lake Mendota for a good cause. Registration includes admission to the 5K, a winter stocking hat (while supplies last), and post-race beer (21+) courtesy of Wisconsin Distributors. Kids ages 10 and under may participate for free with a registered adult. Proceeds support efforts to protect and improve the lakes, lands, and waters of the Yahara Watershed.

Each year, this FUNraiser, FRIENDraiser, and FUNDraiser highlights the year-round value of our lakes, while raising funds for lake improvement projects, educational programming, and volunteer water quality monitoring.

When the lakes freeze in Greater Madison, they become our largest parks. Clean Lakes Alliance encourages community members and visitors to experience these “frozen assets” and appreciate their importance, even in the middle of the winter. For more information about Frozen Assets, including event details and times, please visit: cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets/#Schedule.

Clean Lakes 101 — In Effigy: An Archaeological Review of Yahara's (Sacred) Watershed
2026-03-11 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

The Yahara Watershed has supported people for millennia, and its Indigenous history endures through the region’s distinctive effigy mounds. Join us for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, March 11, at The East Side Club from 4 to 5 p.m. to hear from Seth Taft of Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. He will explore the origins of this more-than-1,000-year-old Effigy Mound culture and its ongoing cultural and sacred significance in present-day Wisconsin.

Register by entering your information in the box below

Clean Lakes 101: The Mystery of Spring's Clear-Water Phase in Wisconsin Lakes
2026-04-08 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

Join us for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, April 8, at The East Side Club from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Hilary Dugan will explain how booming spring zooplankton populations trigger Wisconsin lakes’ brief but dramatic “clear-water phase,” and explore the powerful mix of temperature, light, nutrients, and predator–prey dynamics that make it all happen.

Register by entering your information in the box below

About this Talk

Each spring, many lakes in Wisconsin undergo a remarkable transformation. They suddenly turn strikingly clear. This “clear-water phase” happens when booming populations of tiny zooplankton rapidly graze down spring algae, briefly reshaping the entire food web. In this talk, Dugan will explore how temperature, light, nutrients, and predator–prey interactions combine to create one of the most dramatic and short-lived events in our lakes.

About our Speaker

Hilary Dugan is an associate professor at the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As a limnologist, Hilary studies how terrestrial and atmospheric changes, such as warming air temperatures or land use patterns, alter biogeochemical fluxes and aquatic processes in lakes. Her research focus is on temperate and polar lakes, with sites spanning from Wisconsin to Antarctica.

Event Details

This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking fills up quickly, and capacity may limit available spots.

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Community Volunteer Day - May 2026
2026-05-07 08:45 - 11:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
Join Clean Lakes Alliance for a community volunteer day to help our lakes! We’ll be at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Thursday, May 7, from 8:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Removing invasive species allows our native species to thrive and do what they do best — capture and filter runoff before it can enter our lakes. Our native species are well-adapted to mitigate flooding, provide valuable habitats for pollinators and wildlife, and stabilize soil to prevent erosion. The more native plants we have surrounding our shores, the healthier our lakes will be!

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!

Meet at the Monastery. Wear closed-toed shoes and long layers to best protect yourself from bugs, scratches, poisonous plants, and the sun. Bring a water bottle, sun protection, and anything else you need to stay comfortable while working outdoors for three hours.

See more Volunteer Days, and other events from Clean Lakes Alliance.

Clean Lakes 101: State of the Lakes
2026-05-13 07:30 - 09:30 | The Edgewater, 1001 Wisconsin Place, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
Clean Lakes 101

Please join us for our State of the Lakes, on Wednesday, May 13, at The Edgewater. This year, we’re excited to feature the State of the Lakes — an annual health synopsis of Greater Madison’s five Yahara lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa).

REGISTER – STATE OF THE LAKES EVENT

Event details

Save the date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026Time: 7:30 – 8 a.m. coffee and conversation, 8 – 9:30 a.m. continental breakfast and programLocation: The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Ave., Madison)

About this event

Please join us for our State of the Lakes, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026! This year, we’re excited to feature the State of the Lakes. The report is an annual health synopsis of Greater Madison’s five Yahara lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa). Focusing on major drivers and indicators of water quality, the analysis summarizes lake and watershed health factors, trends, and the likely causes of observed conditions.

We will continue the tradition of bringing together our watershed’s premier scientists, business and organizational leaders, heads of government, and officials from the Ho-Chunk Nation to learn more about the lakes (originally known as Teejop) and new opportunities for continued collaboration and progress.

Clean Lakes Alliance and its fellow Renew the Blue Council members will highlight the latest science and Renew the Blue stakeholder guidance that will direct future cleanup actions.

Sponsor a table

Table sponsors receive name recognition on promotional materials, email marketing, and the Clean Lakes Alliance website. A table seats 8 people. Please contact Executive Director, James Tye, to sponsor a table at 608-255-1000 or james@cleanlakesalliance.org. Learn about all 2026 sponsorship opportunities.

Event parking

This event will be held at The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Place, Madison, WI 53703). Event parking will be available at The Edgewater. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.

2026 sponsors

Clean Lakes 101: The Role of Soil in Improving Water Quality and Building Climate Resilience
2026-06-10 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

Join Clean Lakes Alliance for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, June 10, at The East Side Club from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. to learn how healthy soils and native plants can reduce runoff, store water, and protect our lakes.

Register by entering your information in the box below

About this Talk

Soil is more than “dirt.” It’s a living natural resource that performs essential ecosystem functions. In this talk, we’ll discuss how continuous living root systems, such as native plants, and reduced soil disturbance can improve soil’s ability to absorb and store water, reduce runoff, and sequester carbon, ultimately strengthening climate resilience and helping protect local lakes and streams.

About our Speaker

Michelle Probst (she/her) is a Land & Water Scientist with the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department. In her role, she quantifies and measures ecosystem service metrics from conservation and restoration practices, focusing on soil carbon sequestration and water quality. She has a deep passion for soil science and enjoys sharing that enthusiasm with others in hopes of building greater awareness and appreciation for the value of healthy soils.

Event Details

This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Loop the Lake Bike Ride
2026-06-20 09:00 - 14:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Join Clean Lakes Alliance at Loop the Lake on Saturday, June 20!

SIGN UP TODAY!

Join Clean Lakes Alliance for an at-your-own-pace bike ride around Lake Monona. This event raises funds and awareness benefiting Greater Madison’s lakes. Ride (or walk or run) the official Monona Lake Loop on Saturday, June 20, for a day filled with entertaining and educational activities at multiple parks along the route.

Event details

Support clean, healthy lakes with Clean Lakes Alliance’s 13th annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride, presented by Lake Ridge Bank. Cyclists of all ages and abilities navigate the scenic 13-mile loop around Lake Monona.🚲 Saturday, June 20🚲 Starting & ending at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Drive, Madison)🚲 Course open 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (optional group start at 9 a.m.)🚲 $48 per in-person rider (includes event t-shirt, while supplies last), $38 per in-person rider (without event t-shirt)

➡️➡️ Kids 10 and under ride free with a paid adult🚲 Get a group to ride – purchase 6 adult registrations and receive 25% off!

Registration includes

Each registration includes fun and educational stops along the route. Also included are a free food item, and a free beer, courtesy of Wisconsin Distributors (21+).

Loop the Lake collector’s t-shirts

All riders registered at the $48 price point will receive a Loop the Lake collector’s shirt. (Design coming soon!)

Access for all

With help from MESBA, we are working to make the 2026 Loop the Lake more accessible to all community members. Make financial assistance requests through this Google Form.

Stay and ride

Whether you’re traveling to the area for the weekend or planning a staycation, you have great options. Our friends at Discover Monona have you covered. See the list below for variety of options to spend the weekend in our community!

AmericInn by Wyndham Madison South

Avid Hotels Madison – Monona

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

Airbnb

Vrbo

Expedia

For more information visit discovermonona.com

Thank you, partners!

Loop the Lake, presented by Lake Ridge Bank, is an annual event aimed at promoting the protection and preservation of Madison lakes. The event is produced along with platinum host Discover Monona, in partnership with Madison LakeWay and Monona East Side Business Alliance (MESBA) and San Damiano Monona, and in conjunction with the City of Madison, the City of Monona, and The East Side Club. All proceeds support Clean Lakes Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the Yahara Watershed.

We’re also grateful to the following organizations for making this event special in their own unique ways: Aldo Leopold Nature Center, barre3 Madison, Curbside Bicycles, Madison BCycle, Madison Water Utility, Monona Police Department, Off Broadway Drafthouse.

Clean Lakes 101: Meet the Birds of Greater Madison's Lakes
2026-07-08 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

Join Clean Lakes Alliance for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, July 8, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. at The East Side Club to discover the surprising diversity of bird species that rely on Madison’s lakes, including their unique behaviors, migration patterns, and the vital connection between lake health and bird life.

Register by entering your information in the box below

About this Talk

Madison’s lakes and shorelines provide important habitat for birds. But do you know just how many bird species are relying on the health of our lakes? Chances are, it’s more than you think! Join us as we explore the incredible diversity of bird species you can expect to find along the shores of Madison’s lakes. Learn about their unique behaviors, migration patterns that draw them to our lakes, and how lake health can impact them.

About our Speaker

Caitlyn Schuchhardt (she/her) is a volunteer leader of the Feminist Bird Club – Madison Chapter. She is also a former Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance staff member and author of their Entryway to Birding blog series for beginning birders. When she’s not working her day job, you can find her leading bird outings, teaching bird identification classes, or enjoying the birds at her favorite local conservation parks. She loves welcoming new audiences into the joyful and rewarding hobby of birding.

Event Details

This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Clean Lakes 101
2026-08-12 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

Join us in-person only for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, August 12th, at The East Side Club from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

About this Talk

Details coming soon!

About our Speaker

Details coming soon!

Event Details

This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Clean Lakes 101
2026-09-09 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

Join us in-person only for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, September 9th, at The East Side Club from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

About this Talk

Details coming soon!

About our Speaker

Details coming soon!

Event Details

This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Clean Lakes 101
2026-10-14 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

Join us in-person only for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, October 14th, at The East Side Club from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

About this Talk

Details coming soon!

About our Speaker

Details coming soon!

Event Details

This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Clean Lakes 101
2026-11-11 16:00 - 17:00 | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53714
Clean Lakes 101

Join us in-person only for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, November 11th, at The East Side Club from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

About this Talk

Details coming soon!

About our Speaker

Details coming soon!

Event Details

This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.
