COVID-19 Updates

The Lussier Community Education Center’s operations are continuing in their new form through summer. Its mission is still to be a place for people from different walks of life to come together, share gifts, and build community. That typically includes enrichment activities for all ages, games, art, tutoring, hot meals, a food pantry, farmers market, job clinic, radio shows, activism opportunities, and more. During these times, LCEC is practicing social distancing and social solidarity by continuing its food pantry program and K-12 summer camps in a modified way. 

• (6/29/2020): Modified K-12 summer camps got underway today, and the Support and Solidarity Network continues to connect with neighbors and mobilize to meet specific

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County is to help more people get into homes so they can have a more stable family life and help stabilize the community. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses for people in need throughout Dane County. Habitat ReStores, which sell used and new donations of furniture, doors, wood, cabinets, electrical, appliances, building supplies, lights, and fans, have kept over 7,870 tons of building materials out of landfills, and their proceeds have helped build nearly a quarter of Habitat homes in Dane County.

COVID-19 Updates

• (4/2/2020): Habitat defers homeowner mortgages amid Safer at Home initiative. Read more here.

The mission of Czar’s Promise, a volunteer-run nonprofit, is to provide funding for companion animal cancer research at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and pediatric cancer research at American Family Children’s Hospital, as well as to provide emotional, educational, and financial support for families whose companion animals have been diagnosed with cancer.

COVID-19 Updates

• (3/16/2020): Czar’s Promise made the decision to reschedule its spring Inspiring Hope Dog Walk fundraising event to the fall, so please consider marking your calendars for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2020, at Winnequah Park, Monona. In the meantime, donations can be made here.
• (3/10/2020): Czar’s Promise is in need of items used for Woof Packs, customized

The mission of NAMI Dane County is to provide education, support, and advocacy for people affected by mental illness in Dane County with a vision of ensuring a stigma-free community where all people affected by mental illness find the help, hope, and support they need.

COVID-19 Updates

• (4/2/2020): A free 24/7 helpline sponsored by Safe Communities MDC is available for Dane County residents thinking about using alcohol and/or other substances or struggling with substance use issues during the coronavirus epidemic. Call (608) 228-1278
• (4/2/2020): How to protect your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more here. 
• (3/23/2020): If you need crisis support, text NAMI to 741741. Find more resources for people affected by mental

The mission of the Foundation for Dane County Parks is to strengthen the endowment fund, grow and support the volunteer program, and fund projects that ensure our Dane County parks, trails, and open spaces are cared for, not only today but for generations to come. 

COVID-19 Updates

• (4/3/2020): Explore Stewart Lake County Park virtually through a Foundation grant-funded Watershed Explorers Series hosted by the USRWA at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4th.
• (3/21/2020): Tag @DaneCountyParks or use #danecountyparks to show creative ways for how you are protecting yourselves out in the parks. Here is an example.
• (3/19/2020): Getting outside is good for mental and physical well being, but please practice the following park safety tips from Public Health

After a rush of post-Thanksgiving shopping events, from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, the focus turns to giving rather than getting today. Each year more people join the Giving Tuesday movement to help others through the gift of their time, donations, goods, or voice, according to www.givingtuesday.org.

There are countless local, national, and global organizations to support, and each have their respective merits. This year, our team has made a commitment to giving back to area parks by partnering with the Friends of Dane County Parks Endowment.

You may have seen some of our blog posts and photos of several Dane County parks, forests, and trails this fall, including the new Lower Yahara River Trail that connects Madison to McFarland, the

Have you been cross-country skiing this winter? Have you taken a horseback ride on an Equestrian trail? Brought your dog to enjoy a dog park? Our neighborhoods make our community stronger, and parks play a vital role in improving our quality of life. In Dane County we're blessed with an elaborate park systems for all to enjoy, with more new projects on the horizon.

This year, the Dane County Parks system will open a floating boardwalk that will connect the Capitol Bike Trail and the Lower Yahara River Trail. The trail provides beautiful scenery and a unique way to travel from Stoughton to the State Capitol. The trail includes the shores of Lake Kegonsa, the Yahara River and Lake Waubesa. This is just one example of the sizable park systems in the