Whalen Pond is a neighborhood retention pond that has been developed into an Outdoor Environmental Learning Laboratory. There is an ongoing collaborative effort between the Verona Area School District (VASD), the City of Verona Public Works Department (VDPW), and the University of Wisconsin (UW) based on mutual interest in the Pond. Madison Community Foundation awarded a grant to VASD to build the observation deck and purchase other supplies to support the use of the pond as an outdoor laboratory. Students and educators from VASD and UW have been using the Pond to study ecological concepts.
The students of Glacier Edge elementary are a big part of this learning which included both of my kids!
Information collected by VASD and UW students will, over time, help the city understand how the Pond is operating as a storm water management facility. Additionally, the city is using the collaborative effort as a way to inform and educate the general public about storm water management issues. The city encourages property owners to adopt storm water management practices.
Storm water management practices home owners can implement on their own include:
- Install a rain garden
- Install a rain barrel
- Limit the amount of leaves and grass clippings draining to the Pond
- Limit discharge of oil and grease from vehicles
- Use only the amount of fertilizer needed on lawns and in gardens
- Clean up spilt fertilizer
- Wash your car on the lawn not in the street or driveway
- Pick up litter in the streets around the Pond
Whalen Pond is a wonderful place to relax and explore. It can be busy...enjoy yourself on your visit!
Congratulations to j&k&kids for the FTF!