Your home ● Our lake ● Your opportunity

Photo: Craig Wilson

Program overview 1

Eligibility map 2

MENU OF QUALIFYING PROJECTS

Redirect roof downspouts 3

Use a rain barrel 4

Plant a native tree 5

Build a rain garden 6

Convert paved areas to water-permeable alternatives 7

Plant a lakeshore recovery garden 8

Create a lakeshore fish & critter sanctuary 9

Pledge agreement (return postcard enclosed) 10

Our partners and sponsors 11

Lake Ripley trivia challenge 12

Table of Contents

Photo credits (L to R): Carrie Kester, Kathryn Heinlein, Nikki Smithback, and Carrie Bohn

www.lakeripley.org

Dear Friend of Lake Ripley,

s a caring and responsible landowner, you hold the key to a better future for

Lake Ripley and our community. Like rain drops filling a bucket, each lake-

friendly project you undertake adds up and combines with the actions of others. These

cumulative impacts are already producing results, but more is needed if we are to

sustain this progress. Are you willing to do your part?

By taking steps to reduce harmful storm runoff or restore lost habitat, you will be

joining your neighbors to enhance the condition of Lake Ripley, strengthen property

values, and preserve our quality of life. All it takes is a pledge to complete at least one

project on your own property. Plus, your pledge enters you into prize drawings for a

chance to win gifts and professional support for pledged activities. Here’s how it works:

1. Browse this guide and choose the projects you will commit to completing.

2. Tear off and return your Ripley Rewards Pledge Card by June 2nd to enter our prize drawing, or pledge online by visiting www.lakeripley.org. Additional prizes will be reserved for early pledge signers within each project category. By pledging, you will be sending a message that you are among those working for a cleaner and healthier Lake Ripley.

3. Receive a free consultation and make plans to complete your project before the end of the year. Be sure to thank our supporting partners and sponsors by rewarding them with your business.

4. Save the date! Plan to attend our July 5th lake fair, stewardship award ceremony, and prize-drawing event at Ripley Park (10:00-12:00). Lake-education booths and a variety of fun, family-friendly activities will be on hand.

Our success in protecting and improving

Lake Ripley now and for future generations

depends entirely on the actions we take

today. Thank you for participating!

In Partnership,

Board of Directors Lake Ripley Management District

A

Can’t commit to a project this year? You still have a chance to win by

entering our mystery-prize drawing! To participate, find Bigmouth Bass’s 3 hiding spots and record the page numbers on your pledge

card. And don’t forget to nominate a deserving individual or group

for a Lake Ripley Stewardship Award.

1 www.lakeripley.org

Pho

to: D

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www.lakeripley.org

Evelyn, age 10, uses art to share her hopes for the future of Lake Ripley.

All property owners in the Lake Ripley Watershed

or Lake District qualify for Ripley Rewards! Map: Jefferson County LWCD

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Face your downspouts toward porous landscapes

ownspouts are useful for moving rooftop rainwater

away from our homes. Yet, if water isn’t given a chance

to soak into the ground, it turns into storm runoff that

erodes soil, causes flooding, and carries pollutants into Lake

Ripley. Help protect our lake and your neighbors by pointing

downspouts toward a lawn or rain garden. This practice also

helps to replenish our groundwater aquifers.

Roof Runoff Fact

A 1-inch rain falling on a 1,000-sq.ft. roof produces 623

gallons of runoff. That’s one roof! A small cluster of 20

homes will shed 12,460 gallons. Where you send roof

runoff matters, so make it count by aiming purposefully.

D

3

□ Y

es, I accept th

is challen

ge!

www.lakeripley.org

Water links us to our neighbor in a way more profound and complex

than any other. ~John Thorson

Photo: www.drroof.ca

Harvest your own rainwater

ain barrels attach

to your existing

downspouts so you can

harvest chlorine-free water

every time it rains. Build your

own or buy them pre-

fabricated for around $150.

Today’s mosquito-proof

models come in a variety of

colors and styles. When full, a

special diverter sends

overflow water through your

regular downspout.

These make great gifts for the

gardener in your family! Why

use precious groundwater

during droughts when you can

harvest your own rainwater?

No-Hassle Benefits

• Store plant-friendly

rainwater for later use on

thirsty trees and gardens.

• Save 1,300+ gallons of

tap water this summer, or

up to 40% of your

household water usage.

• Reduce flooding and

erosion by capturing

water destined to become

runoff.

R

4

□ Y

es, I accept th

is challen

ge!

www.lakeripley.org

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. ~Benjamin Franklin

Photos (from top): Fiskars Brands, Inc. and Paul Thompson

Enhance your yard by planting a native tree

rees at maturity can intercept several hundred to

several thousand gallons of rainfall per year! They

capture water in their canopies or let it trickle down to the

ground where it can be slowly absorbed. Tree roots help the

process by making soil more porous, slurping up water and

channeling it downward to replenish groundwater aquifers.

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Choose natives for their

hardiness and wildlife

value. They are better

adapted to our climate,

and are more resistant to

local pests and diseases.

Reward yourself, your

neighbors, and our

environment with every

new tree you plant.

5

□ Y

es, I accept th

is challen

ge!

Yard beautification

Bird and wildlife attractor

Floodwater sponge

Wind break

www.lakeripley.org

Photo: www.deeproot.com

Treat yourself to a rain garden

ain gardens make stunning additions to any yard. A

properly designed garden will not pond water or breed

mosquitoes, but it will attract birds and butterflies. While

they may look like a typical flower patch, these planted

depressions capture and soak up vast amounts of water every

time it rains. Once established, the deep-rooted native grasses

and wildflowers will tolerate both dry and wet weather. See

our website for links to design tips and other resources.

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6

□ Y

es, I accept th

is challen

ge!

Rain Garden Fact

A rain garden allows 30% more water to soak into the

ground compared to a conventional lawn.

www.lakeripley.org

We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one. ~Jacques Cousteau

Illustration: www.bolincreek.org

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Swap your pavement

for porous alternatives

ur landscape is becoming

increasingly impervious

to water. Every additional

roof, driveway, parking lot,

patio or deck creates another

impenetrable surface that sheds

rainwater. This leads

to more storm runoff and

flooding, less groundwater

recharge, and sicker lakes and

streams.

If you plan to upgrade your

driveway or patio, consider

using permeable pavers or

porous pavement. You also

may want to reduce its overall

size. A smaller building

footprint is better when it

comes to reducing runoff and

protecting the lake.

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A Hard Truth

Hard surface runoff from an overbuilt landscape leads to

degraded water quality. Sensitive aquatic life begins to

disappear once 10% of a watershed becomes impervious.

Lake Ripley’s watershed has about 11% impervious cover.

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□ Y

es, I accept th

is challen

ge!

www.lakeripley.org

Photos (from top):

www.gardenlovetoknow.co

m, www.lakegeorge.com,

and Portland Cement

Association

ap into your lakeshore’s potential by bringing nature

back to the water’s edge! By planting an attractive mix

of native shrubs, grasses and wildflowers, you will join a

growing number of people who are choosing to naturalize a

portion of their beachfront. The right plants in the right

locations will enhance coveted lake views, preserve access to

the water, and even discourage invading geese. A lush, deep-

rooted garden shields the shore against erosion. It will also

attract a variety of critters, like frogs, turtles and dragonflies.

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Your oasis awaits!

• Protects water quality

by filtering runoff

• Discourages geese

• Provides food, shelter

and nesting areas for

wildlife

• Improves your

property’s lakeside

“curb appeal”

• Eliminates sprinklers,

noisy lawnmowers,

and polluting lawn

chemicals

8

□ Y

es, I accept th

is challen

ge!

Create a lakeshore recovery garden

www.lakeripley.org

Photo: Formecology, LLC

Share your beachfront with a fish-n-critter sanctuary

Fish Fact

Nearly all fish species utilize

woody habitat for at least

one portion of their life

cycle. Visit the Hoard-

Curtis Scout Camp to see a

“fish sticks” demonstration

project at work!

allen trees (“fish sticks”) have long provided beneficial

habitat for our lakes. They provide shelter and feeding

areas for fish, as well as nesting and sunning areas for birds,

turtles and other animals above the water. If you own

waterfront, consider sharing space with these natural wildlife

sanctuaries. Anglers and wildlife lovers alike will thank you.

F

9

□ Yes, I accep

t this ch

allenge!

Don’t have a tree? Ask your

neighbors if they have plans

to trim or remove any trees

on their own properties.

Dying or diseased trees with

at least 8-inch-diameter

trunks make good

candidates. Lake District

staff can walk you through

every step of the tree-

acquisition, permitting and

installation process.

www.lakeripley.org

Photos (from top): Dave Marshall, New Hampshire Fish and

Game, and Eric Engbretson

y tearing off and returning the enclosed postcard, I agree to all the

conditions of participation, including completing my pledged actions in

2014. I understand that my commitment to one or more of the listed projects

automatically enters my name into prize drawings associated with each pledged

project category. Pledges must be received by June 2, 2014 to be eligible. The

drawing will be held at Ripley Park on July 5, 2014, where prizes and coupons

redeemable for project-related products and services will be awarded. You do

not need to be present to win.

Conditions of participation

I own property on Lake Ripley, in the District, or within the Lake Ripley

Watershed.

I agree to complete the pledged actions on this property by 12/31/14.

I agree to a free consultation to obtain guidance related to my actions.

I agree to maintain, to the best of my ability, any pledged projects I complete.

I agree to allow the Lake District to publicly recognize my commitment.

I agree to encourage friends and neighbors to consider taking similar actions.

I agree to participate in a survey that will be used to evaluate this program.

FOR YOUR RECORDS

The commitment(s) I am making on my pledge card include [check all that apply]:

□ Redirect roof downspouts □ Install a rain barrel

□ Plant a native tree (1-inch diameter) □ Create a rain garden (50 sq.ft.)

□ Switch to permeable surface (50 sq.ft.) □ Create a lakeshore garden (100 sq.ft.)

□ Create a nearshore treefall habitat □ Sorry, I can’t commit to a project this year

□ I am participating in the MYSTERY PRIZE CHALLENGE (see page 1)

□ I am offering to help others complete their projects as a volunteer.

□ I am planning to attend the July 5th lake fair and prize-drawing ceremony

□ I have nominated the following group or individual to receive a Lake Ripley

Stewardship Award:_____________________________________________

PLEDGE

B

10 www.lakeripley.org

Our partners and sponsors

Partners Agrecol

www.agrecol.com

608-223-3571

Awesome Landscaping, LLC

www.awesomelandscapingllc.com

920-568-9065

Creative Landscapes, Inc.

www.creativelandscapesinfo.com

608-423-4241

Fiskars Brands, Inc.

www.fiskars.com

608-259-1649

Good Oak Ecological Services

Goodoak.com

608-209-0607

Jeffrey Marketing

www.jeffreymarketing.com

608-692-2121

LJ Reas Environmental Consulting Corp.

www.ljreas.com

920-291-7787

Owens Graphics LLC

www.owensgraphics.com

608-698-3888

Unilock of Wisconsin

Unilock.com

262-742-3890

SetterTech, LLC

Settertech.com

608-712-6302

Sponsors American Family Insurance

(Dean Lund Agency)

Badger Bank

Cambridge Family Dental

Cambridge CAP

CobraHead, LLC

Formecology, LLC

Friends of the Glacial

Heritage Area

Lake Ripley Lodge B&B

Presidential Limo

RE/MAX Community Realty

Rock River Coalition

Sustainable Wildlife Habitats

The Victorian of Cambridge

Underwater Habitat

Investigations, LLC

e thank the following partners and sponsors for

their generous contributions to this program. Please

reward their participation with your business.

W

11 www.lakeripley.org

www.lakeripley.org

Lake Ripley Trivia Challenge

est your Lake Ripley knowledge by answering the

following questions. Then, check your answers against

the key below. Each correct answer is worth 5 points.

T

1. What is the lake’s deepest point?

A) 27 ft. B) 44 ft. C) 49 ft. D) 61 ft. E) 110 ft.

2. What was Lake Ripley’s original name?

A) Mud Lake B) Clear Lake C) Bass Lake D) Lake Tannin E) Dow Lake

3. Who (last name) tested early outboard motors on the lake in 1907?

A) Evinrude B) Mercury C) Johnson D) Craftsman E) Smith

4. What is the surface area of the lake in acres?

A) 85 B) 120 C) 216 D) 423 E) 1,010

5. What used to be commercially harvested from the lake?

A) Weeds B) Carp C) Water D) Ice E) Marl

6. Approximately how many years old is Lake Ripley?

A) 100 B) 1,000 C) 10,000 D) 100,000 E) 1,000,000

7. What state-record fish was caught on Lake Ripley in 1940?

A) Largemouth bass B) Bluegill C) Northern pike D) Perch

8. Which of the following is native to the lake?

A) Zebra mussel B) Bowfin C) Curly-leaf pondweed D) Smallmouth bass

9. How many times greater than the lake is the land area that drains to it?

A) 4 B) 11 C) 15 D) 20 E) 34

10. Can you match the events with their proper dates?

A) Lake District forms 1989

B) Sanitary sewer installed 1990

C) Mechanical weed harvesting begins 1984

D) First Lake District Preserve purchase 1998

Answer Key 1. B, 2. E, 3. A, 4. D, 5. D, 6. C, 7. A, 8. B, 9. B, 10. A (1990), B (1984), C (1989), D (1998)

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0-5 points: Water flea

10-20 points: Minnow

25-35 points: Sunfish

40-50 points: Walleye

Photo: Linda Winn

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N4450 County Road A

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MY PLEDGED ACTIONS [Check all that apply. Each commitment enters you into a prize drawing

for that project category. By submitting this pledge, you agree to all the conditions of participation.]:

□ Redirect roof downspouts □ Install a rain barrel

□ Plant a native tree (min. 1-inch diameter) □ Create a rain garden (min. 50 sq. ft.)

Preferred species:_____________________ □ Create a lakeshore garden (min. 100 sq. ft.)

□ Switch to permeable surface (min. 50 sq. ft.) □ Sorry, I can’t commit to a project this year

□ Create a treefall habitat at the water’s edge □ I will volunteer to help others with their projects

□ I plan to attend the July 5th lake fair

MYSTERY PRIZE CHALLENGE [Circle the three pages where Bigmouth Bass is hiding.]:

Pages 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

_____________________________ ____________________________ __________

Signature Printed Name Date

_____________________________________________________________________

Local Property Address

_______________________________ ___________________________________

Phone Number E-mail

LAKE RIPLEY STEWARDSHIP AWARD NOMINATION

Individual or group: _________________________________________________________