Capital Area Regional Planning Commission

10/15/2026

What would your day look like if the tap ran dry? 💧 No morning shower. No coffee brewing. No water to grow the food on your plate.

Today is —a reminder to appreciate the water we count on and do our part to protect it.

Looking for a place to start? Ripple-Effects Wisconsin has simple tips to help protect our local lakes and streams: www.ripple-effects.com/actions-to-protect-our-waters

10/09/2026

is about seeing our communities in a new way and understanding the everyday experiences of people who don’t drive. Hear from Laura about what paratransit means to her!

10/01/2026

starts today and runs through Thursday, October 8! 🚶🚌🚲

The challenge invites everyone who usually drives, especially elected officials and community leaders, to get around without driving for a week, a day, or even one trip. You might take the bus, bike, walk, roll, carpool, or ask someone for a ride.

The idea is to pay attention to what it takes to get where you need to go when driving isn’t an option. An estimated 30–40% of Dane County residents are non-drivers, and the choices we make about transportation affect their everyday lives.

CARPC is joining nine local communities and the Greater Madison MPO in recognizing the week. There are events happening across the county, too!

See what’s happening and how you can take part: greatermadisonmpo.org/weekwithoutdriving

09/28/2026

Some exciting news! CARPC’s Starkweather Creek chloride monitoring project was featured in Fondriest Environmental, Inc.'s Environmental Monitor magazine. 🌊

The story follows how we’re tracking salt as it moves through the creek and into Lake Monona, and how that data can help guide future efforts to reduce salt pollution. It also highlights the partners making this work possible, including volunteers in our new “Adopt-a-Meter” program.

Give it a read: bit.ly/starkweather-monitoring

09/24/2026

Check out this storm drain mural in Cross Plains! 🐟 Its message is a good reminder for : what goes down a storm drain can end up in our waterways.

This year’s statewide call to action is to adopt a storm drain near you. Dane County’s program is partnering with nine communities across the region, and helping out can take as little as 15 minutes a month.

Find out how to get involved: https://ripple-effects.com/adopt-a-storm-drain

09/23/2026

There are two more webinars for ! 🌧️

𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟯 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗽.𝗺. | 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻!
Learn how Adopt-a-Storm Drain programs work, ways to get involved, and what the experience has been like for two volunteers.

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗽.𝗺. | 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲! ☕
See how native plants can help rainwater soak into the ground, with examples from homes and communities.

Register at www.wistormwater.com

09/18/2026

Some pics from the Northside Festival this past weekend! 🌳 It was fun to see so many people make “tree cookie” magnets & necklaces and stop by to chat about ways we can all help protect our water resources.

09/18/2026

🌳 Dane County Land & Water Resources Department is offering FREE TREES to local schools, municipalities, nonprofits, businesses and community organizations.

🗓️ Apply by October 5: forms.danecounty.gov/Forms/free-trees-application

The Dane County Land & Water Resources Department is providing 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 from our gravel bed tree nursery to local schools, municipalities or community organizations. They are intended for planting in areas across Dane County where they are most needed.

The application window is short—applications are due by 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. If you are interested, please complete the quick online application. Forestry staff will follow up in mid to late October if trees matching your project needs are available. Available species are listed on the first page of the application. The trees available are bareroot, 1–1.5 inch caliper trees.

Apply at: https://forms.danecounty.gov/Forms/free-trees-application

09/11/2026

Wisconsin Stormwater Week is just around the corner! 💧 There will be educational webinars throughout the week where you can learn more about simple ways to help protect our local waterways.

This year’s call to action is to adopt a local storm drain! It only takes about 15 minutes a month to keep a storm drain clear of leaves, trash and other debris that could otherwise end up in our lakes and streams.

Learn more about Dane County’s program: www.ripple-effects.com/adopt-a-storm-drain

Check out the full Wisconsin Stormwater Week lineup: www.wistormwater.com/