Zebra Mussels and the Future of Lake Wingra by David Ortiz, Board Member Primarily juvenile zebra mussels on an aquatic plant from Lake Mendota 2022. Photo taken by David Ortiz During the yearly removal of docks from Wingra Boats (in Wingra Park) in October 2024, zebra mussels were found for the first time within Lake
Zebra Mussels and the Future of Lake Wingra Read More »
Don’t Judge a Lake by Its Color: Understanding What Water Clarity Really Means Kyungdoe “Doe” Han1,2 1Friends of Lake Wingra, PO Box 45071, Madison, WI 53744 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706 Most people assume that a crystal-clear, blue lake is the ultimate sign
Don’t Judge a Lake by Its Color: Understanding What Water Clarity Really Means Read More »
Photo by Lisa Grueneberg Give back to the lake that gives you hours of recreation all summer! Hop on a Wingra Boats canoe or your own watercraft to pick up trash in the lake as part of your Earth Day celebration. Saturday, April 26, 10am-noonWingra Boats, 824 Knickerbocker St. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Lake Wingra
2025 Lake Wingra Shoreline Cleanup Day Read More »
By David H. Thompson, Vice Chair Hiring staff to help FoLW in 2013 was a big step for us. Before then, Board Members organized programs, but it was hard for them to find sufficient time. Since hiring staff, FoLW has maintained more consistent contact with our partner organizations, including the DNR, Dane County Office of
A Heartfelt Thanks to Casey Hanson Read More »
A survey is now available for you to review different concepts for the Vilas Park Master Plan. The survey will ask for your preferences for the location of the shelter, the future of Vilas Park Drive, the layout of parking, playgrounds, lagoon management, and park amenities. You can also share what concepts you think are missing. If you’d
Questions to Help You Process the Vilas Park Master Plan Concepts Read More »
Allison Martinson Madison, WI 53705allison@aemartinson.comwww.aemartinson.comFacebook: Allison for District 19 What does Lake Wingra mean to you? Last year, I participated in the Duck Dash on Lake Wingra in my first 10K & Kayak event. Having before only seen the beauty of the lake from the beaches near the Henry Vilas Zoo, I greatly appreciated being out
District 19 Alder Candidate Questions Read More »
In the right season joggers, bikers, walkers, other self-locomotors, and even animals enjoy bright displays of native plants along the Southwest Path. Many undoubtedly enjoy the scenery and take it for granted. The Southwest Path did not always have these gorgeous views and prairies! Since 2001 volunteers have passionately transformed these weed beds into beautiful
How is the Southwest Path More Than Just a Path? Read More »
The Friends of Lake Wingra asked each candidate five questions about their connection to Lake Wingra, District 13’s unique environmental challenges, their approach to watershed management, and strategies to understand and represent Lake Wingra’s needs. Candidates Tag Evers info@tagevers.comwww.tagevers.comFacebook: Tag EversTwitter: @TagEvers What does Lake Wingra mean to you?Lake Wingra is the reason I moved to this neighborhood.
Madison Alder District 13 Q&A Read More »
By Roger Bannerman Every Fall the leaves accumulating in our residential streets contribute to making Lake Wingra turn green in the summer. Rain water running through the fallen leaves can release nutrients, such as phosphorus and carry it to the lake. If the leaves are left on the street for the few weeks of the
How Brown Leaves Help Turn Lake Wingra Green Read More »
The Department of Natural Resources has a new and improved rain garden manual for your use! Rain Gardens: A Guide for Homeowners and Landscapers, the new manual, discusses the three main steps to designing a rain garden for your home: Step 1 – sizing and siting, Step 2 – constructing, and Step 3 – Planting
A Statewide Accomplishment: A New DNR Rain Garden Manual Read More »
A lot has happened around our watershed this year, both on the surface and behind the scenes. What new things are you most excited about? We completed our second year of frog and toad citizen science monitoring! Our volunteers heard six different species. See when we heard them and how it compares to last year
Big Changes in 2018: Friends of Lake Wingra Year in Review Read More »
by Grace Graham, WI Master Naturalist Volunteer for UW-Madison Arboretum Just as we are experiencing the transformation to winter, the lakes around us are facing their own seasonal changes. During spring and fall, the water column experiences a process called turnover, the mixing of water from different depths, and a redistribution of oxygen and nutrients.
Under the Ice: How Organisms Survive Lake Wingra in Winter Read More »
