How to Help

There are many ways to do your part in conserving Lake Wingra and its watershed. Help reduce nutrient and sediment runoff to the lake; do your part to care for our precious water resources and natural areas; and enjoy the lake and lakeshore, where nature and people co-exist in the midst of city life.

Make a donation to support Friends of Lake Wingra.

At your home or business property:

• Rake and pile leaves out of the street.
• Keep storm sewers clean.
• Properly disposal of chemicals; never dump them in storm drains.
• Cover bare soil with mulch, or establish healthy lawn turf or other vegetation.
• Direct your downspouts to lawn or garden, not driveways or sidewalks.
• Plant a rain garden.
• Compost yard waste.
• Use lawn and garden chemicals conservatively, or switch to organic lawn care.
• Clean up pet waste.
• Wash your car at a car wash, or on gravel/grass with phosphate-free soap.

In your neighborhood:

• “Each one teaches one” — lead by example and share your yard and garden successes with others.
• Don’t feed ducks and geese.
• Set up teams to keep storm sewers clean.

As an occasional volunteer:

• Participate in invasive plant control and lake cleanup days.
• Join the FOLW listserv for announcements.
• Organize a storm drain stenciling team.

As a frequent volunteer:

• Form a lake committee in your Neighborhood Association.
• Be a liaison from your Neighborhood Association to FOLW.
• Contact FOLW ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for current activities and more suggestions.

At school and with your family and friends:

• Learn about your lake; visit and observe, ask questions, seek answers.

In your leisure time:

• Enjoy your lake often; canoe, hike, bike, skate, swim, fish, star gaze, watch sunsets!