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From Madison to Mt. Horeb to Belleville, and everywhere inbetween...

"The USRWA serves as a forum for the preservation and enhancement of the watershed resources through an impartial partnership among diverse community interests"

2010 Paddle & Pig Out Pictures

Down from the Hills bluegrass performance:
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Paddling the Sugar River:

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Tie dying was a hit for people of all ages:

Light mist on the water:

Raffle Winners Announced

Congratulations to the 2010 raffle winners at Paddle & Pig-Out!

Kayak donated by Payne & Dolan: Stephanie Reneau

Rain Garden Design w/ Native Plant Gift Certificate donated by Montgomery Associates and JF New: Diane Bauman

Rain Barrel donated by the USRWA: Brian Wallace

Native Plant $50 Gift Certificate donated by JF New: Nate Hammersly

Native Plant $50 Gift Certificate donated by JF New: Chris Cramer

All donated by Ruegsegger Farms:

Two grass fed beef burgers with the works, dine in: Mike Crisman

One pound package of grass-fed ground beef: Robb Kahl
One pound package of grass-fed ground beef: Nora Vrakas
One Grass-fed Beef Chuck Roast: Karl Gmur

One package of two bone in "pastured" pork chops: Carolynne Larsen

One - 1/2 "pastured" chicken: Monica Olmschenk

$20 Gift Certificate, courtesy of Trillium Natural Foods: Derek Grisbeck

$20 Gift Certificate, courtesy of the Grumpy Troll Brewery and Restaurant: Bill Weltin

$20 Gift Certificate, courtesy of the Grumpy Troll Brewery and Restaurant: Ryan Oehlhof

$10 Gift Certificate, courtesy of Dee's Cheeses N More: Mike Crisman

Fly Fishing Sling Pack, courtesy of Orvis: Dennis Moungen

$30 Gift Certificate, courtesy of Willy St. Co-op: Jim Grant

Assorted Merchandise, courtesy of Fontana Sports: Brian Wallace

Handmade reusable bag filled w/ bird feeder and seed, made by Lisa Keen: Bill Weltin

$5 Gift Certificate courtesy of Tuvalu Coffee: Greg Mattlin

$5 Gift Certificate courtesy of Tuvalu Coffee: John La Conte

$5 Gift Certificate courtesy of Tuvalu Coffee: Nora Vrakas

$5 Gift Certificate courtesy of Tuvalu Coffee: Greg Mattlin

$5 Gift Certificate courtesy of Tuvalu Coffee: Christina Rose

Winners will be contacted this week to arrange prize deliveries or pick-ups.

Come to the 2010 Paddle & Pig Out this weekend in Paoli!

Event Info:

Where: Paoli Park in the Town of Montrose, near HWY 69 and HWY PB
When: THIS Saturday, August 21 from 8:30am-3:30pm, with canoe trips at 9:00am, noon, and 3:00pm.

Down from the Hills will be playing two sets of bluegrass music at 11:00am and 1:00pm.

Activities for children (& adults!) will include face painting, tie dying shirts (bring your own or purchase USRWA youth sized shirt), and a water balloon toss, so wear clothes you won't mind getting dirty.

Food will be available for purchase from the Belleville Scouts (free to members).

We hope to see all of you on Saturday to help us celebrate!

Questions? Need directions? Call Megan at (608) 437-7707.

Don't forget that you can purchase your raffle tickets and T-shirts in advance by stopping by the USRWA office on Monday or Wednesday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20, T-shirts are $10 for members and $15 for non-members.

Paddle & Pig Out T-Shirts Available

This year's Paddle & Pig Out T-shirts are available for purchase for $15/each. The shirts are made of recycled cotton, and are sage green with black lettering. We have adult sizes S, M, L and XL. (Photo to come soon!)

Please contact Megan at the USRWA office to make your purchases. Raffle tickets are now on sale as well.

(608) 437-7707.

Raffle Tickets- ON SALE NOW!

You can purchase your ticket for the USRWA annual Paddle & Pig-Out raffle ticket by calling Megan at 608-437-7707 or by sending an e-mail to usrwa@usrwa.org. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Paddle & Pig-Out event in Paoli Park from 8:30am-3:30pm on August 21, 2010.

Tickets are $5 each, or five for $20.

Grand prizes include:

Kayak, couresty of Payne & Dolan

Rain Garden Design, courtesy of Montgomery Associates: Resource Solutions, LLC

Native Plant Gift Certificates, courtesy of JFNew Native Plant Nursery (Verona)

Two grass fed beef burgers with the works, dine in

Two - one pound packages of Grass-fed ground Beef
One Grass-fed Beef Chuck Roast

One package of two bone in "pastured" pork chops

One - 1/2 "pastured" chicken, all courtesy of Ruegsegger Farms

Additional prizes include:

Gift Basket, courtesy of Trillium Natural Foods (Mt. Horeb)

Gift Certificate, courtesy of Dee's Cheeses N More (Mt. Horeb)

Fly Fishing Sling Pack, courtesy of Orvis (Middleton)

Gift Certificate, courtesy of Willy St. Co-op (Madison)

More prizes coming soon, check for updates!

Volunteers Needed for Annual Paddle & Pig-Out in Paoli Event

The USRWA seeks enthusiastic volunteers for its annual Paddle & Pig-Out event in Paoli Park on August 21, 2010.

We will need assistance shuttling canoes, guiding canoe trips, maintaining the registration table, organizing childrens' events, and making sure that the event runs smoothly.

Volunteers will be needed starting at 8am and ending close to 4pm. If you would like to volunteer for a few hours but cannot be there for the duration of the event, that is fine too!

If you can't make it to the event but still want to help, we are also seeking donated items for our raffle. If your business can provide a gift certificate or other item for us to raffle off, we would greatly appreciate it.

Please contact Megan at usrwa@usrwa.org or call (608) 437-7707 if you would like to help. Thank you!

Board of Directors Openings

The Board of Directors has two available openings!

Director duties include attending monthly meetings held on the second Monday of each month at 7pm.

We are seeking conservation-minded energetic individuals who are willing to volunteer their time to protect the watershed and promote watershed based recreation.

If interested, please e-mail Megan at usrwa@usrwa.org for an application.

2010 Volunteer Workdays!

Volunteer workdays are here! Spend some time in the beauty of the watershed and get to know some of the wonderful people here, while also helping to enrich the quality of this scenic area.

Saturday, May 8 from 9:00 a.m. to noon: Log jam removal on West Branch at Fritz Road, Town of Montrose. Contact Steve Haak at (608) 712-8451 for more information or directions.

Thursday, May 13 from noon to 3:00 p.m.: Stream bank clearing, spraying trees and bushes along the West Branch at CTH U, just south of Deer Creek Sportsman's Club. Contact Steve Haak at (608) 712-8451 for more information or directions.

Sunday July 25, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. AND Sunday, July 11 at 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Log jam removal on Sugar River in preparation for Paddle and Pigout in Paoli. Held in conjunction with Capitol Water Trails. Meet at Paoli Park. For more information or directions, contact Bill Keen at (608) 212-6756 for more information or directions.

We are a grassroots, self-sustaining, 501c non-profit conservation organization. The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association consists of those who live, work or play in the watershed. We have a board of directors, have a paid membership and are able to complete many beneficial conservation projects with our own funds. We are considered to be a hands-on, project group.

The Upper Sugar River Watershed, with a drainage area of approximately 170 square miles (109,404 acres) and 115 stream miles, is located in Dane County in southern Wisconsin. It's rich in resources, including fisheries, wildlife habitat (including rare and endangered species), native plant communities (many in decline), flood protection, and recreational opportunities

We are always looking for volunteers to help us with our exciting projects. We need help with many tasks. Some will get your hands dirty and some will keep them clean. Give us a call!