The raindrop's journey: A stormwater trail through the Arboretum's west watershed

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By David S. Liebl, Chair, UW-Madison
Arboretum Storm Water Committee
Reprinted from NewsLeaf, Dec. 2007

Two and a half miles northwest of Nakoma Road & Manitou Way, the landscape rises to a small hill just west of Research Park Blvd. From this vantage (43°03.382’N, 89°29.149’W), 272 feet above Lake Wingra, the far horizon features the State Capitol to the east and the driftless area to the west. Low in the landscape, the UW-Arboretum is hidden from view, as is the path of storm water runoff draining from this most western interfluve [divide] between the Mendota and Wingra watersheds.

Help needed for Buckthorn removal

Si Widstrand and Jim Baumann are organizing buckthorn removal from the woods along the southern border of Milward Drive, during September and October, 2013.

Si is a retired employee of Madison's Parks Department, certified in the use of herbicides.  Jim Baumann is a resident of the neighborhood, a retired DNR employee, and Board member of the Friends of Lake Wingra.

Volunteers are needed to stack removed buckthorn branches into piles.

Schedule:

For details, contact Jim Baumann, 277-0020.

Buckthorn is an invasive species, without any native pests to control it.  Removal is necessary because buckthorn...

• Crowds out native species.
• Degrades wildlife habitat.
• Contributes to erosion.
• Serves as a host to pests.
• Makes woods dense and unattractive.

Become a steward of your neighborhood public lands, and get to know your neighbors!

Improvements for Odana Hills Park

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On Dec. 2, 2012, eight neighbors* met at Odana Hills Park to discuss native plantings along the border of Odana Pond.  The informal meeting was called by Si Widstrand, a retired employee of the Parks Department.

Lots of lore about what has been happening in the park and Odana pond came to light, which I'll repeat below to the best of my memory.