Beautiful sunsets, majestic sailboats, and shoreline views of the Wisconsin State Capitol are some of the more familiar and picturesque sights around the Yahara lakes. But what else can we see across these thriving and complex ecosystems? On your next walk around the lakes, keep your eyes peeled and you may spot a fascinating lake phenomenon.
Join us Wednesday, February 10th to learn about how some of our lake friends express their love in an underwater world.
Organisms across the globe are faced with the same dilemma – how to pass on their genes to the next generation and give their youngsters the best possible chance at success. Things are no different for the creatures in the Yahara lakes. Pike, panfish, plants, and invertebrates all go to great lengths to find love, but take wildly different approaches. What makes each strategy successful, and why?
During the “Love in the Lakes” presentation, you’ll learn about the mating and reproductive strategies of several important species, which range from the heartwarming to the bizarre.
Justin Chenevert (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) began his career in water resources hauling laundry baskets of invasive weeds from the muddy Charles River in Boston, MA. Despite the smell, he found he loved working with water, and moved to Madison in 2013 to pursue a master’s degree in Water Resources Management from UW-Madison. Justin worked for Clean Lakes Alliance from 2014 – 2016 in several capacities, including surveying lake users, supporting the volunteer water quality monitoring program, and analyzing water quality data. He is currently employed by the Department of Natural Resources in the Water Monitoring section, where he works on a variety of projects related to lake water quality, ecology, and citizen science. In his free time, Justin enjoys ice fishing and paddling on the Madison lakes and beyond.
This event will be held online via Zoom. The online talk is free and open to the public. A link to access the talk LIVE will be sent to all registered attendees ahead of the event.
Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance for residents 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 UW-Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsors First Weber Foundation and Johnson Financial Group, hosting sponsor The Edgewater, and supporting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company.
Clean Lakes Alliance is excited to share news about Dane County’s continued focus on improving water quality. In early July, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, in conjunction with the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, unveiled new lake technology.
Join the fight for healthy lakes by making a tax-deductible donation today.
As a Lake Forecasting Steward, you will cover the fixed cost needed to supply one or more volunteers with monitoring equipment. This program allows Clean Lakes Alliance to inform the public of the latest water quality conditions at monitoring sites across lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa.
What does my donation support?
$57.25: Turbidity Tube
$15.00: Thermometer
$27.75: Office expenses and supplies
$35.00: Friend of Clean Lakes
$135.00 = Lake Forecasting Steward Donation
Lake Forecasting Stewards receive all Friend of Clean Lakes benefits, including:
You’ll also receive invitations to events, updates on work to improve water quality, and the assurance that Clean Lakes Alliance is working on your behalf on a daily basis with city, county, and state officials to put the Yahara lakes at the top of to-do lists.
Donors who make a gift at the $1,000 or more level are recognized each year through Clean Lakes Alliance’s Yahara Society.
Clean Lakes Alliance is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible!
Thank you for becoming a Lake Forecasting Steward!
In 2019 water quality monitoring took place at piers and beaches around the five Yahara lakes. Volunteers measured near-shore water clarity, air and water temperature, and noted several visual observations during the monitoring season, which runs from May to September.
On December 3rd, 2019 Clean Lakes Alliance honored seven outstanding individuals and groups at the Clean Lakes Community Awards. This event, presented by Town Bank, recognizes the accomplishments of individuals, volunteers, businesses, farmers, and other entities working to protect our Yahara lakes.
At Clean Lakes Alliance, we’re thankful to be part of a community that is surrounded by five beautiful lakes. Our Yahara lakes provide ecological diversity, recreational opportunities, economic benefits, and endless beauty to the Greater Madison area, its residents, and guests.
Tyler Leeper has a deep connection to our lakes, and an even greater investment in their health. As the owner of Madison Boats, which includes Wingra Boats, Brittingham Boats, and Marshall Boats on Lakes Mendota, Monona, and Wingra, his family business is dependent on water quality and lake health.
Join us for this ONLINE edition Yahara Lakes 101 to learn about the issues that impact our lakes!
Rain gardens are the ultimate multi-function garden, boasting an ability to provide aesthetic improvement, privacy screening, wildlife habitat, and even improve nearby water quality and clarity. So how can you create your own?
In this month’s ONLINE Yahara Lakes 101 talk, Paul Skawinski from the Extension Lakes program at UW-Stevens Point will teach us what a rain garden is, what it isn’t, and how to start adding one to your landscape. Creating a rain garden is not difficult, but considering a few helpful tips will get you on your way to a beautiful and functional rain garden in less time, with less effort.
Paul Skawinski works for the Extension Lakes program at UW-Stevens Point as the Statewide Coordinator of the Wisconsin Citizen Lake Monitoring Network. He is passionate about butterfly gardening with native plants and is the President of the Central Wisconsin chapter of Wild Ones.
This event will be held online via Zoom. The online talk is free and open to the public. A link to access the talk LIVE will be sent to all registered attendees ahead of the event.
Unable to join the talk live? Register anyway and we will email a recording of the presentation.
Yahara Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance for residents 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, with presenting sponsors First Weber Foundation and Johnson Financial Group, monthly sponsor TASC, hosting sponsor The Edgewater, supporting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, and media partner the Isthmus.
Support clean, healthy lakes with Clean Lakes Alliance’s 12th Annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride, presented by Lake Ridge Bank. Loop the Lake is an at-your-own-pace bike ride around Lake Monona on Saturday, June 15th that raises funds to protect and preserve Greater Madison’s lakes. Make a day of it while you enjoy entertaining and educational activities at many parks along the route.
Registration includes:
Fun and educational stops (see information below)
Super soft t-shirt, compliments of Lands’ End
Food cart item
Free beer or seltzer, courtesy of Bell’s Brewery (21+)
