Volunteering |
We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in assisting with the following activities. Please call the Lake District at (608) 423-4537 or e-mail us at ripley@charterinternet.com for further details. Litter Cleanups The annual "Lake Sweep" is a litter cleanup conducted in partnership with Cambridge High School and Friends of Cam- Rock Park. The event typically takes place in late April in celebration of Earth Day. Volunteers are needed to help pick up litter and other debris that collects along the shorelines of Lake Ripley and Koshkonong Creek, as well as area parks and roadsides. Water Quality Monitoring Water quality tests are conducted on a year-round basis at the inlet, over the deepest point of the lake, and at the outlet. Testing parameters may include water clarity, dissolved oxygen, inflow/outflow rates, macroinvertebrates, water temperature profiles, pH, alkalinity, phosphorus concentration, etc. Self-directed volunteers with access to a boat are needed to help perform the sampling. The Lake District would provide the training and furnish all necessary sampling gear. Lake District Preserve The Lake District Preserve is a public nature conservancy accessible from CTH A just north of Ripley Rd. It contains 100 acres of restored wetland and prairie habitat. This prior agricultural land was acquired by the Lake Ripley Management District in 1997. Volunteers are needed to help monitor wildlife and plant communities, perform controlled burns, harvest prairie seed, clean and inspect birdhouses, assemble educational materials for trail kiosks, and remove invasive plant species. Citizen "Lake Watch" Lake Watch volunteers are needed to help monitor and document lake usage throughout the summer boating season. Participants must have access to a boat, and are asked to dedicate a few hours each month observing and reporting on boating activities. Incident reports detailing suspected rule violations are forwarded to local authorities for possible enforcement action. Modeled after the widely successful Neighborhood Watch, this program aims to improve water safety, safeguard lake quality, and facilitate emergency response in the event of an accident or unsafe boating behavior. Clean Boats, Clean Waters "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" is a boat launch monitoring and educational outreach program. We are looking for volunteers to (1) help inspect boats and trailers for aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels, (2) distribute informational brochures, and (3) collect and report suspect specimens. Volunteers would be trained on invasive species identification for the purpose of inspecting boating equipment at the public boat landing. Shoreline Restorations and Rain Garden Plantings The Lake District routinely assists landowners around the lake in restoring their shorelines or planting rain gardens. We are often looking for volunteers who are not afraid to get their hands dirty or engage in physical labor. Work typically involves planting native plant plugs, weeding, spreading mulch, watering, installing erosion control, etc. Public Opinion Surveys Various cross-sections of the public are occassionally surveyed through interviews or questionnaires to gather information. Previous surveys have focused on Lake District and watershed residents, lakefront property owners, anglers, and the local boating community. The Lake District uses public feedback to develop and improve upon existing management programs. Volunteers with good interpersonal communication skills are needed to assist with such efforts. Education and Outreach The Lake District makes it a priority to communicate with its membership. Newsletters, local newspaper articles, "Welcome Wagon" mailers, Website updates, and various other methods are used to keep the public informed of major policy decisions and resource management concerns. We are looking for volunteers who have good writing skills to contribute articles and assist with the development of educational materials. |
Financial Contributions |
The Lake District gratefully accepts donations to support our ongoing lake-improvement efforts. Donations are recognized as tax-deductible charitable contributions by the Internal Revenue Service. To make a donation to our general fund, please send your check made payable to the Lake Ripley Management District at N4450 CTH A, Cambridge, WI 53523. You can also donate to a specific Fund. If you wish to support restoration and improvement projects at the Lake District Preserve, simply write "Friends of the Preserve Fund" on the memo line of your check. To contribute to fishery-enhancement projects, write "F.K. Elson Fund" on your check. Your financial support is greatly appreciated! |
Make Your Property "Lake Friendly" The Lake Ripley Management District strongly encourages lakefront property owners to adopt sound landscaping practices along their shorelines. Too often, people are unaware of how the cumulative impacts of their actions can degrade the larger ecosystem. Clear-cutting native vegetation to establish large expanses of turf grass or sand beaches right up to the water's edge is one such example. The "suburbanization" of lakes can create a host of problems. Sea walls, boat ramps, sand beaches, and manicured lawns to the water's edge have all been shown to be detrimental to water quality and fish/wildlife habitat. For example, the typical lawn is a non-native monoculture offering little habitat value or protection against shoreline erosion (due to the shallow root structure of lawn grasses). A lawn also requires a lot of maintenance in the form of pesticide and fertilizer applications, regular mowing, and the need to water during dry weather conditions. During large rain storms, the short and flexible grass blades over compacted soils do little to prevent stormwater runoff from flushing pollutants into the lake. Once in the lake, fertilizers and other pollutants harm aquatic life and can contribute to excessive weed and algae growth. Finally, a mowed lawn up to the water's edge is inviting to congregating geese. Large groups of waterfowl can damage property, pollute the lake, and have been linked to outbreaks of Swimmers Itch. To combat these problems, lakefront property owners are advised to maintain or establish a native "buffer strip" between the lake and a lawn. Buffer strips should be as wide as possible, and planted with deep- rooting sedges, grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees that are native to the area. Paths can then be added to access piers and boat hoists. These types of shoreline-restoration efforts are often eligible for up to 50% cost sharing. They are usually found to be quite affordable for most landowners, and can greatly improve the natural scenic beauty of the shore. 20 Things Everyone Can Do... 1. Plant a native tree, shrub or perennial garden on your property 2. Minimize soil disturbances and the clearcutting of vegetation to prevent erosion 3. If you must fertilize, use phosphorus-free products away from the lake 4. Direct roof downspouts to a rain garden where water can infiltrate into the soil 5. Burn leaves where ashes can't wash into the lake 6. Be aware of the issues that affect the lake 7. Recognize that every action has a positive or negative consequence 8. Learn to share the lake by respecting other users 9. Comply with all local rules and regulations 10. Practice "catch-and-release" when fishing for large, spawning-size gamefish 11. Attend a Lake District meeting and support ongoing management efforts 12. Pick up litter when you see it 13. Keep soil, leaves, grass clippings, pet waste and chemicals out of the lake 14. Report illegal activities to law-enforcement authorities 15. Use conservation farming practices 16. Slow down when boating in shallow-water areas 17. Help stop the introduction and spread of non-native species 18. Conserve water during your normal daily activities 19. Encourage local government officials to adopt sound land-use policies 20. Teach others to respect the land and our precious water resources |
Other Ways to Help |
