Capital Area Regional Planning Commission

05/29/2026

We had a great time repping WI Salt Wise at the Waunakee Public Works Open House last week! 🧂

Interested in having WI Salt Wise materials at your community event or inviting staff to participate? We’d love to connect — send Kayla an email at [email protected].

05/28/2026

The MPO is updating its long-range Regional Transportation Plan—Pathways to 2050—and wants to hear from people who live & work in the Greater Madison region!

💬 Take the survey: bit.ly/pathways2050

🔮 What should transportation in the Greater Madison region look like in 2050?

We're starting work on the Regional Transportation Plan update—Pathways to 2050—and we'd love to hear what you think.

If you live or work in the Greater Madison area, please take our 10-minute survey and tell us what it's like to get around the region and what transportation improvements matter most to you.

Your feedback will directly shape the plan update and help guide future decisions about roads, public transit, walking and biking infrastructure, accessibility, and safety. It will also help inform how federal transportation funding is prioritized throughout the region.

💬 Take the survey: bit.ly/pathways2050

05/22/2026

Curious about today’s solar landscape and what it means for communities, businesses, and homeowners? ☀️ Join Sustain Dane & Midwest Solar Power LLC for a virtual Lunch & Learn from noon–1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27.

Join Sustain Dane and Midwest Solar Power LLC on Wednesday, May 27 for a virtual Lunch & Learn focused on the current solar energy landscape and what it means for Wisconsin homeowners and businesses. This educational session will help participants better understand solar power options, installation considerations, available incentives, and how solar can support long-term energy savings and sustainability goals.

Whether you’re exploring rooftop solar for your home, researching renewable energy solutions for your business, or simply looking to learn more about clean energy trends, this session will provide practical, actionable insights to help you make informed decisions.

The presentation will be led by Midwest Solar Power and will include time for a live participant Q&A covering topics such as what to expect when working with a solar installer, solar panel costs, tax credits, and more. ☀️

Register here: https://sustaindane.org/eventbrite-event/lunch-learn-the-state-of-solar/

05/19/2026

Today marks 1 year of Senior Environmental Resources Technician Isaac Porter being part of the CARPC team! 🎉

Over the past year, Isaac has played a key role in the Dane County Stream Inventory Crossing Project, collecting field data and turning it into reports that help local governments prioritize culvert and bridge repairs and strengthen our region’s flood resilience.

Thanks for all you do, Isaac!

05/13/2026

📝 Three key actions from our April meeting:

1️⃣ CARPC Commissioners passed a resolution honoring longtime CARPC Commissioner Caryl Terrell for her service.

2️⃣ Commissioners received presentations on proposed revisions to the Policies & Criteria for Environmental Corridors and potential CARPC support for implementing Badger Mill Creek resilience improvement projects.

3️⃣ The Commission voted to postpone consideration of three resolutions related to CARPC’s role in regional economic development.

📅 The next Commission meeting will take place in person at the Westport Town Hall and virtually via Zoom tomorrow, Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. Stay up to date: www.capitalarearpc.org/meetings

05/13/2026

A great opportunity to learn how to plan your own native garden! 🌱

Interested in putting in a native garden but not sure what plants to choose or feeling overwhelmed by the process? Join us at our next Native Garden Learning Hub!

We partner with Wild Ones Madison to create a supportive community learning and networking space centered around native plant gardens.

This month’s special topic is 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀. Learning stations will include:

🦟Mosquito management & Integrated pest management
🐝 Improving existing lawn & creating pollinator lawns
🌱 Compost 101
💧 Stormwater practices
✨ Dark Skies for Pollinators
🌳 Native Trees & Shrubs
🌺 Site Preparation
🏡 Garden Design

Together, we will share knowledge, build connections, and deepen our understanding of native plant gardens, all with the ultimate goal of expanding native habitats across our communities.

Learn more and register at: https://www.danecountyparks.com/Event/Detail/2619

05/12/2026

How neat is this? 🌧💧 DeForest elementary students learned all about stormwater runoff and the small things we can all do to help protect our lakes and rivers.

Even cooler—they’ll be designing a storm drain mural that will be painted in the community this summer!

05/08/2026

Some great events happening in Sun Prairie during Affordable Housing Month! 🏠

Affordable Housing Month is HERE

May is , a time to recognize the vital role that safe, stable, and accessible housing plays in a strong community. Over the course of the month we will offer a variety of events designed to increase understanding of and engagement in housing issues. Activities planned are outlined in the flyer below and are offered in partnership with the Sun Prairie Housing Coalition, Sun Prairie Area School District, Dane County Historical Society, Sun Prairie Public Library, Boundless Tiny Homes, and UW Health.

First, what is affordable housing?

The federal government defines affordable housing as “housing where a household pays no more than 30% of gross income toward housing costs”. Using this measure at least 4,200 current households in Sun Prairie are struggling with housing costs and living in housing that is unaffordable. A more common everyday definition of affordable housing is “housing that doesn’t feel expensive to live in – i.e. other necessary expenses don’t need to be cut to pay rent or mortgage”.

This month we invite you to attend one of our upcoming events, connect with others, and join the conversation around housing in Dane County. These events are open to everyone so please help us spread the word— bring your friends, family, and neighbors with you!

05/04/2026

Madison Housing Week is here! 🏘️🏢 All week long, there are panels, workshops, neighborhood tours, webinars, and conversations focused on how we meet growing housing demand while protecting what makes the Madison region such a great place to live.

Full event schedule: madisonhousingweek.com

Get ready Madison! It's almost Madison Housing Week (May 3-8, 2026), and there is a full calendar of events planned.🏘️

Spotted around town! 👀 Keep an eye out — a Madison Metro bus has been wrapped to spread the word about Housing Week.

Full Schedule of Events: https://madisonhousingweek.com/

This year’s theme, “Rooted and Rising,” asks a timely question: As our population grows, how do we ground our communities in people and neighborhoods while actively shaping a stronger housing future?

AARP

05/01/2026

Last Saturday, we joined BECWA for a tour of Festge Springs along the Ice Age Trail!

This group of springs actually doubles the flow of Black Earth Creek, providing the cold, clean water that keeps the creek healthy and supports its trout fishery. 🎣💧

It was a great turnout and such a neat spot to see in person. Even better—getting the chance to connect with community members and talk about our work and leadership on the Black Earth Creek Watershed Green Infrastructure Plan, developed in response to the 2018 floods.