In the library, a monarch butterfly rested on a small boy’s hand. Suddenly it fluttered upward—zig-zagging over bookshelves toward a window. Four squealing children ran to where it landed on a windowsill. Catalina approached, coaxing it onto her fingertip. Her eyes flashed with uncertainty, bravery, and wonder. A big smile appeared. “Look what I caught! […]
Monarchs for Kids in 2017—Connecting with Mexico Read More »
Friends of Lake Wingra has begun a new program to help understand and protect the amphibians that call our lake home. We are working with a group of volunteers to listen for frogs and toads near the Vilas Lagoon throughout the spring and early summer to learn when each species is most active in the
As our loyal Friends, we know that you’ve heard from us before about the problem of road salt contaminating Lake Wingra. Environmentalists can easily visualize how road salt in the water supply is bad for biodiversity. The problem is, most people link deicers to winter safety and struggle to see how their overuse
The Danger of Using Too Much Deicer Read More »
Phosphorus is natural and essential, but when present in excess it can cause algal blooms, fish deaths, and decreases in water clarity. Phosphorus is currently one of the biggest challenges facing Lake Wingra so it’s time to get creative about finding solutions. Through my graduate studies at UW-Madison, I had the opportunity to design an
Floating Plant Islands Offer Phosphorus Reduction & Food Read More »
Rain gardens are a beautiful way of making our watershed a happier and healthier place. This year, Friends of Lake Wingra received a grant from the Natural Resources Foundation to spread the appreciation for all our dedicated rain garden care takers. Some of you may have noticed the bright orange butterfly rain garden signs
Education, Awareness, Beauty: A Happy Note to Brighten Your Day Read More »
Happy New Year! As Friends of Lake Wingra transitioned from 2016 to 2017, we looked ahead to the coming year, and saw immense opportunity, often balanced by immense challenges. Opportunities and their associated challenges lead to change, and we embrace a year of coming change with optimism. Some changes will be obvious,
New Year’s Challenges and Opportunities for the Friends Read More »
We’re looking for homeowners to help demonstrate salt-free methods for clearing snow from sidewalks, including solar snow removal. We’re testing some improved methods. But you can use any method, provided no salt and that it’s a showcase job. All the snow doesn’t have to be cleared at once. We’ll provide you with a small sign
Volunteers needed for Salt-Free Sidewalk demo Read More »
Key ideas… Prevent packing of snow Scrape so remaining snow lets light through to the pavement Let the sun evaporate the rest (ice can evaporate without melting) Forecast Two more days of sun before the next snow. Use that time to clear all packed snow. In the morning, scrape or brush any snow
Solar Forecast: Clear the Snow Without Salt Read More »
The future of water and people depends on the choices we make today – and the ideas we share with each other. Two new resources by the UW-Madison Water Sustainability and Climate project help communities think about what they can do to make sure the future is one they’d want. Changes and Choices in
New Resources for the Future Read More »
Winter is a season associated with distinct feelings for all of your senses. There’s the smell of pine, the taste of apple pie, the sighting of the fist snowflake, and the crunch of rock salt beneath your boots. While we often give little thought to the last one, it’s certainly something we’re all familiar with.
Winter is Coming! Here’s What We Know About Road Salt Read More »
by Tim Campbell – UWEX, WDNR, WISG It is well known in the aquatic invasive species (AIS) world that recreational boaters are the primary pathway for new AIS to enter a lake or river. A combination of regulations that help prevent the spread of AIS and the “Clean Boats Clean Waters” boater education program has
How anyone can Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers and Protect Lake Wingra Read More »
Photo by Erik Zimmerman: Cloe Zimmerman gets one last kiss from the monarch she raised, before it starts migration. It’s a magical moment when the fresh young butterfly spirals upward, then heads resolutely SW towards Mexico, 2,000 miles away. By David Thompson The migration of monarch butterflies is one of our greatest natural wonders. To
