The Department of Waste & Renewables is committed to protecting the environment and improving the health of our community. We strive to minimize our impact to the landscape by restoring habitat and continue to create opportunities for environmental education and recreation.
As part of a 2018-2019 final cover project, a pollinator friendly seed mixture consisting of native grasses, forbs, and legumes was planted across 35 acres of closed landfill space to create habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. Although this native species seed mix takes longer than standard seed mixes to fully establish, the cover is coming in nicely and it will leave a habitat for pollinators and a potential place for recreation for generations to come.
Landfill covers are not the only places the Department of Waste & Renewables has planted pollinator friendly seed mixture. In 2014, the Department held a public participation archeological event of the historical Wheeler site, located in the Town of Westport. The Wheeler site was the childhood home of popular Wisconsin poetess, Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919), and a number of interesting, historical artifacts were unearthed. Once the archeological survey was complete, the Department restored the site to its original ecosystem by planting native grasses, forbs, and legumes for pollinators, as well as present and future generations, to enjoy.
Special Projects & Materials Manager | Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables
rathsack.allison@danecounty.gov
(608) 514-2319
