Ripple-Effects Wisconsin

Do you live near a storm drain that is often clogged with leaves, grass and other debris? Lend a hand and commit to cleaning it before the rain through the Dane County Adopt A Storm Drain Program. Your actions will help prevent localized street flooding and keep debris out of ponds and waterways. Visit https://ripple-effects.com/Adopt-A-Storm-Drain to find out if your community participates in the Adopt A Storm Drain program and sign on as an adopter!

Advancing policy solutions—such as legislation to address slip-and-fall liability and grant programs for smart salting equipment—takes all of us.

Can’t make it in person on July 21? You can still take action. Register for the alternate advocacy activity, and we'll provide you with an email template and resources to make reaching out to your legislators as clear as pristine freshwater!

👉 Policy Summit registration: https://bit.ly/wsw-policysummit
👉 Alternate Advocacy Activity: https://bit.ly/wsw-alternate-activity

Do you know about the Product Exchange Room at Clean Sweep? Dane County Waste & Renewables offers a place to drop off usable household chemicals like paint, thinners, solvents, pesticides, and cleaning supplies. While you're there, you can browse the shelves and take home what you need for free! Help keep usable products out of the landfill and give them a second chance at life.

The 2026 Plant Dane Native Plant Sale is officially closed. 824 orders and 30,624 native plants were sent home with happy gardeners on Saturday at our Plant Dane pick up. Thanks to the 20+ Dane County staff and volunteers for all your help. Orders for 2027 will open in Feb. - https://ripple-effects.com/Plant-Dane .

1st grade students from Ms. Hoffman's class at Lapham Elementary School (K-2) helped paint our first storm drain mural of the season today. Storm drains connect to our waterways, help keep them clean.

Looking for a way to conserve water and reduce runoff at home? Install a rain barrel. The Dane County rain barrel sale is now open with pick up locations in Middleton, Deforest, and Stoughton. Participating Dane County municipalities may also qualify for a $30 reimbursement. Order @ https://www.ripple-effects.com/rainbarrels

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 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

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/

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.