Ripple-Effects Wisconsin

05/13/2026

It's a great time of year to plan a native garden or rain garden. Check out all the resources we have and get your questions answered at the Native Garden Learning Hub this Sunday.

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 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

04/30/2026

Happy spring🌼! It's time to get those rain barrels out of hibernation. Here's a quick refresher on how to reconnect your rain barrel to your downspout. Remember - every drop counts 💧

Learn more about our rain barrel program at: https://ripple-effects.com/RainBarrels

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! Check out the programs and resources we offer to help protect Dane County's precious lakes, rivers, and streams at https://www.ripple-effects.com/

04/22/2026

Live in the Wingra watershed and thinking about adding a rain garden to your landscape? Take advantage of this workshop from the Friends of Lake Wingra. Registration closes this Friday!

Friends of Lake Wingra is working with Dane County Ripple Effects to provide a Lake Wingra Watershed 1-on-1 Rain Garden Workshop on Sunday, May 3 from 12:30–4:00 pm at the UW–Madison Arboretum Visitor Center. For a $20 registration fee, participants will receive a 30-minute session with rain garden experts to review their property, identify drainage patterns, and get tailored guidance on rain garden placement, sizing, plant selection, and installation—perfect for projects connected to residential downspouts.

Open to Lake Wingra Watershed residents (with limited space for others), this is a great opportunity to plan your project and learn about potential $500 City of Madison reimbursements to help cover installation costs.

See lakewingra.org/rain-garden-workshop for more information.

We just opened up 4 more spaces. There’s only 1 weeks left to register – registration will close on April 24.

04/22/2026

Dane County Clean Sweep was busy last week with a record turn out on Saturday. Thanks to the City of Verona, Wisconsin for partnering with us on a special Clean Sweep event. About 100 residents made their way out the Clean Sweep facility to dispose of their household hazardous waste. Clean Sweep is open all year to residents of Dane County. Only $15/carload. Learn more at: https://landfill.danecounty.gov/services/clean-sweep. Dane County Department of Waste + Renewables

04/21/2026

School and community groups in Dane County - don't miss your chance to receive free native plants! Plant a native garden or rain garden and make a positive environmental impact in your community this summer. Check out https://lwrd.danecounty.gov/grants-and-costshare/free-plants to apply.

04/17/2026

We are looking forward to having the rainfall simulator at the Bilingual Earth Day Conservation Fair: Día de la Tierra on Saturday! Stop by to check it out, we'll see you there!

04/10/2026

We kicked off the Storm Drain Mural season at Lapham Elementary in Madison this week. 1st graders from Ms. Hoffman's class learned all about stormwater and actions they can take to keep our waters clean. They will be helping to paint a storm drain mural in May to educate neighbors on where stormwater runoff outside their school goes. Learn more about the Storm Drain Mural program @ https://ripple-effects.com/Storm-Drain-Murals

04/09/2026

Head over to the Sun Prairie library tonight for the Roots and Runoff: Native Rain Garden Workshop and learn how to build a rain garden.

04/08/2026

Missed our 1:1 Rain Garden Coaching Sessions in March? Here's a great opportunity to get expert rain garden help from the Friends of Lake Wingra. Open to residents who live in the Wingra watershed.

Join us for a personalized, 1-on-1 Rain Garden Workshop on Sunday, May 3 from 12:30–4:00 pm at the UW–Madison Arboretum Visitor Center. For a $20 registration fee, participants will receive a 30-minute session with rain garden experts to review their property, identify drainage patterns, and get tailored guidance on rain garden placement, sizing, plant selection, and installation—perfect for projects connected to residential downspouts. Open to Lake Wingra Watershed residents (with limited space for others), this is a great opportunity to plan your project and learn about potential $500 City of Madison reimbursements to help cover installation costs. See www.lakewingra.org/rain-garden-workshop for more information.

03/20/2026

Thank you to all who donated to our community native plant projects! Through your donations we were able to provide a record breaking 4,740 plants to more than 30 local projects.