Plant Dane Offers Residents and Organizations a Fun Way to Protect Area Waters through Its Native Plant Cost-Share Program and Rain Garden Workshop

February 28, 2017
Christal Campbell, MAMSWaP Stormwater Education Coordinator, 608-224-3746
Land & Water Resources

The Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership (MAMSWaP) is now accepting plant orders for its 13th annual Plant Dane Native Plant Cost-Share Program.  The Plant Dane Cost-Share Program provides native plants to schools, non-profit organizations, municipalities and residents in Dane County for a fraction of the normal retail cost. Consider converting some of your turf grass or pavement into a native garden this spring. Not only are native plants beautiful, but they provide important ecosystem services such as habitat for local wildlife and improved water quality. Native plants act as sponges helping rainwater soak into the ground preventing polluted stormwater runoff from reaching area lakes, rivers and streams.

Choose from 50 native plant species including: butterfly, prairie, and rain garden kits. Plants are $2.00 each and all species must be ordered in multiples of four. Program details and order forms are available online at www.ripple-effects.com/plantdane.  All orders must be received by March 31, 2017. Plants will be available for pickup at 5201 Fen Oak Drive, Madison, WI on Saturday, June 3, 2017.

Native plants can be used to create attractive gardens that reduce lawn-maintenance time and costs. Are you new to the world of native gardening? Consider building a rain garden to capture stormwater runoff. Learn how at the Plant Dane Rain Garden Workshop on Saturday, March 25th. The cost is only $10. The workshop will be held at the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department Building (5201 Fen Oak Dr., Madison) and will include hands-on stations and resources to guide participants through the process of site selection, sizing, site preparation, and plant selection. Information on installation and maintenance will also be provided. Participants can expect to leave with a rain garden plan tailored to their site. For more information or to register visit www.ripple-effects.com/plantdane. The registration deadline is March 15, 2017.

The Madison Area Stormwater Partnership (MAMSWaP) is coalition of Dane County municipalities and organizations working together to promote practices that reduce and improve stormwater runoff into Dane County lakes, rivers and streams.

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