Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

06/03/2026

Check out our newest Lake Management Newsletter! Get updates on lake related projects, aquatic plant management, pier pickup schedules, boat launch closures, and other important information related to Dane County lakes.

The latest edition is available here:
https://conta.cc/43M4gtf

Sign up for future newsletters at:
https://lwrd.danecounty.gov/about/news-and-information/Newsletters

05/28/2026

🚌New Field Trip Alert🚌
We are partnering with Dane County Department of Waste + Renewables on a new field trip option - Resource Rescue. Booking now for September/October. Bus wavier up to $250 available for schools who serve 40% or more individuals with free or reduced lunch. Learn more at: https://www.lussierheritagecenter.com/Field-Trips

🚌New Field Trip🚌
and the parks are partnering up for a new field trip option - Resource Rescue. n Resource Rescue the group will start at the Dane County Landfill and Trash Lab to explore what happens to ‘things’ we throw away. To build up the conservation action of your group, this converstaion will continue with an afternoon field trip at Lussier Family Heritage Center to learn the importance of resource conservation.

Bus wavier up to $250 for schools who serve 40% or more individuals with free or reduced lunch.

Fall dates listed at our website now for reserving.

05/11/2026

Want to put in a native garden but not sure what plants to choose or how to prepare the site? This is a low cost way to get design assistance and learn all about native gardening. Join us on 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 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

05/11/2026

Our next memory cafe is tomorrow at the Lussier Family Heritage Center. This is a free program for people with memory loss or dementia and their caregivers. Tomorrow's event will be all about birds!

Tuesday is our May Memory Cafe! This month we have special guests from Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance here with us to explore Bird Migration!

This program is free and intended for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers.

Date: May 12
Time: 11 am - 12 pm

You may drop in or RSVP at our website.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day to the farmers who care for the land a little more each year.

Thank you to the producers who plant cover crops, reduce erosion, protect water quality, build healthier soils, and invest in conservation practices that benefit the whole community. Your work strengthens the land today and helps ensure it stays productive for future generations.

We appreciate your commitment, stewardship, and willingness to keep improving. Thank you for all you do to support soil health, clean water, and a more resilient future.

04/20/2026

We still have some open volunteer spots at our Earth Day event! There are a few spots left for tree planting and several spots left for native plant transplanting.
https://www.danecountyparks.com/Event/Detail/2716

One week until Earth Day!

Sing up for a volunteer shift to help plant trees or transplant native plant seedlings. Sign up required for most activities!

We also need lead volunteers that have experience transplanting seedlings to help guide others.

Learn more on our event calendar (link in bio)

04/16/2026

Does your school or community group need free native plants for a rain garden, pollinator garden, or prairie area?

Thanks to local area volunteers, we will have free plants to give out later this summer. Applications for plants are due June 30th.

Learn more at:
https://lwrd.danecounty.gov/grants-and-costshare/free-plants

04/07/2026

We are so excited to announce we were awarded a grant by Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables to pilot a scrap stop at one of our campgrounds this summer!

Scrap Stops are FREE residential drop-off locations across Dane County that allow residents to collect drop off food scraps for composting at Purple Cow Organics. It will be open to our campers, bikers along the Lower Yahara River Trail, shelter users, and the Dane County community.

03/03/2026

Dane County Parks is mourning the loss of Bill Lunney, a conservation champion who served 30 years as Chair of the Dane County Park Commission and helped grow our park system into one of the most respected in the nation. We remain grateful for his belief that “a park is not just a piece of land; it is a vibrant part of the community.” Bill’s legacy lives on in the parks, trails, wetlands, and protected landscapes that he worked tirelessly to preserve for future generations.

Foundation for Dane County Parks

02/10/2026

Each year, the North American Stormwater Control Association of Wisconsin (NASECA-WI) presents an award to an individual or organization that has made a positive impact on the erosion control and stormwater management practices in Wisconsin. This year they presented the Outstanding Contribution to the Stormwater and Erosion Control Industry of Wisconsin award to our department.

Thank you to NASECA and thank you to our hard-working Water Resource Engineering staff for the work they do everyday to protect our land and water resources!