Monday, June 23, 2014

Let's go for a Hike!

Our V.P. Judith took a Who's New Ramblers group hiking through the Token Creek Conservancy last week. Below is a note and some pictures from the hike. It looks like it was a beautiful day!

Clearly, “a good time was had by all.” Judith, on behalf of all those present, many thanks for our educational hike through the Conservancy, as well as your gracious hospitality before and after!
- Jennifer -




From left to right: Sandy Burrus, Betty Gray, Eleanor Jurkowski, (Jane Ramey, guest of Ann Campbell), Ann Campbell, Judith Hutchinson (or Jennifer Allen), Donna Schroeder, Dottie Schoenke (with grandson Max Schoenke standing in front), Pat Ellingson.


Thursday, June 19, 2014

XTREME HIKE - Benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

SECOND ANNUAL XTREME HIKE
Saturday, September 27, 2014

 The Xtreme Hike (XH) is a one day, pledge-based, 30 mile, fully supported hike on the Ice Age Trail in the Nothern Kettle Moraine Forest and it benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Do you have what it takes to hike 30 miles in one day?
Find up if you are up for the challenge...

Join us for informational meetings to find out more about participation and volunteer information and have Fontana staff help you understand the proper gear you will need for hiking and training.

Fontana West: Thursday, June 26th 6:30pm-7:30pm
231 Junction Rd.
Madison, WI 53717

Fontana Downtown: Wednesday, July 16th 6:00pm-7:00pm
216 N. Henry St.
Madison, WI 53703

To RSVP and for more information contact Tim at 262-798-2060 or tschmitt@cff.org

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Events & Clinics - June 2014

NORDIC WALKING CLASS
Monday, June 23rd, 2014 at 10:00 am
Downtown Location - 216 N. Henry St., Madison, WI

Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, as she shows you how to turn your walk into a total-body workout. Enjoy a nice walk outside while learning about the physical and mental benefits of Nordic walking. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

NORDIC WALKABOUT
Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 at 9:00 am
Pheasant Branch Conservancy - Meet at County Lot (3rd parking lot on right coming from Century Ave.) on Pheasant Branch Rd., Middleton

Now that you’ve taken the Nordic Walking Intro Course, let’s meet for a real Nordic walk! Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, for a total-body workout and enjoy a nice Nordic walk outside. Get any questions you may still have about Nordic Walking answered. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking on gravel. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided if needed. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

KAYAKING 101 COURSE
Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Marshall Park, 2101 Allen Boulevard, Middleton

Join us for a 45 minute class that will cover all the basics you need to get out and enjoy the beautiful waters in Madison and beyond. Participants will learn basic paddle strokes, launch techniques, and important safety tips. Expect 15-20 minutes on land and the rest of the class will be on the water. Pre-registration required. $30 cost (includes boat). Contact Crystal at 608.662.9711 to reserve your space.

KAYAKING DEMO
Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Marshall Park, 2101 Allen Boulevard, Middleton

Come and try before you buy! Test different kayaks to make sure you get the perfect one for you. Pre-registration required. $20 cost that can be put toward the purchase of a boat. Contact Crystal at 608.662.9711 to reserve your space.

Visit Fontana Sports Events page: http://www.fontanasports.com/misc_content/events

Monday, June 02, 2014

Practice Clean Angling!

We learned some great tips to practice clean angling by helping to prevent the spread of New Zealand Mudsnails and other invasive species from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. We wanted to make sure to share them with you so that we can all work to keep our waters protected!


New Zealand Mudsnails are tough little buggers! Most chemicals, such as bleach, don't scare them. Due to their small size, mudsnails readily attach to gear and equipment and are hard to notice. They have a "trap door", called an operculum, which closes over their shell opening making them resistant to drying and many chemicals. In fact, they can survive for nearly a month out of water in a damp environment and resist bleach, ammonia and alcohol.

Before leaving a waterbody:
    ALWAYS - Inspect equipment and remove attached plants and animals (required); Drain all water from equipment (required)
    BETTER - Scrub equipment with a stiff brush, including crevices and rinse equipment with tap water
    BEST - Soak in 2% Virkon soluion (2.7 ounces/gallon) for 20 minutes and rinse clean away from surface waters

The following methods can also reduce the risk of transporting mudsnails:
  • Do not use felt soled boots
  • Fish from upstream to downstream
  • If you do not wish to use Virkon, the following steps are also effective at ensuring no mudsnails are transported on your gear

Before entering a NEW waterbody:
  • SWITCH to a completely new set of gear OR
  • FREEZE for 8 hours, OR
  • WASH with 212 degree Fahrenheit water (steam clean)

Felt-soled Boots are difficult to clean. Please use alternatives. We know many prefer felt soles to the alternatives. However, they do pose an increased risk of spreading invasive species. They have been proven to harbor more invasive species and to be harder to clean.