Executive Residence Native Lakeshore Restoration
About the project
The Executive Residence has served as the official residence of Wisconsin Governors and their families since 1949. It sits on 3.7 acres in Maple Bluff Wisconsin and includes 300 feet of shoreline on Lake Mendota. The Executive Residence Native Lakeshore Restoration is an effort to restore 294 linear feet of Lake Mendota shoreline at the Executive Residence to native plants. Shoreland plants native to our region provide many benefits. Those benefits include deep roots that help absorb water and nutrients, as well as unique features that offer critical habitat and sources of food for bees, butterflies, songbirds, and shoreline-dependent aquatic life. This effort is designed to be an inspiration and ecological model for other lakeshore homeowners to follow.
Through this privately funded project, 7,184 square feet of existing turf will be replaced with 32 species of native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs. In total, 3,177 native plants and shrubs will get added to this iconic shoreland property. The resulting native plant gardens will showcase how such improvements help filter runoff, enhance pollinator habitat, prevent erosion, and promote the type of natural scenic beauty that makes Wisconsin’s lakes so special.
Timeline
- August 8, 2022 (5:30-7:00pm): Executive Residence ticketed fundraising event
- Fall 2022: Completion of Phase One (1,776 native plants on 3,067 square feet).
- Fall 2023: Completion of Phase Two (1,401 native plants on 4,117 square feet)
Volunteer
Phase One of the project this fall includes removing turf and planting 1,776 native plants on 3,067 square feet. Volunteers are asked assist with planting on September 24th. Interested in volunteering to help with this project? Sign up here.
If you have any questions, please contact Becca Dymzarov at becca@rockrivercoalition.org.
Executive Residence ticketed fundraising event
Monday, August 8, 2022 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
Come and enjoy a celebratory fundraising event at the Executive Residence, supporting the Executive Residence Native Lakeshore Restoration initiative, hosted by the Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation (WERF).
Enjoy delicious hors d’ oeuvres and refreshments, walk the planned restoration site, and join the Governor and First Lady as they celebrate the launch of this project. Limited tickets are available here. Further donations receive recognition and extra tickets, see below.
Make a Donation
Donations are now being sought to ensure the successful completion of the Executive Residence Native Lakeshore Restoration. Clean Lakes Alliance is matching every dollar up to $5,000. Funds will be used to pay for site preparation, native plants, plant installation, educational signage, and related supplies and materials. Funds received in excess of actual project costs will be held in reserve for the future care and maintenance of the native plant gardens.
Donation scale:
$75 – 1 ticket to the Executive Residence ticketed fundraising event
$250 – Name(s) on website as Shoreline Champion and 2 tickets
$500 – Name(s) on website as Shoreline Leader and 4 tickets
$1,000+ – Name(s) on onsite recognition, name on website as Shoreline Leader, and 4 tickets
$2,500+ – Name(s) on onsite recognition, name on website as Shoreline Leader, framed certificate, and 4 tickets
Make a donation (and purchase fundraising event tickets).
Partners
This project is coordinated through a partnership between Rock River Coalition, Wisconsin Lake Leaders, Wisconsin Executive Residence, Wisconsin Department of Administration, Clean Lakes Alliance, Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Extension Lakes, and Resource Environmental Solutions.