About Us

The Friends of Starkweather Creek is dedicated to the protection and restoration of Starkweather Creek.

The Starkweather is a largely urban stream with two main branches. Its watershed is much of the eastern and northern areas of the City of Madison, as well as some Town of Burke and Town of Madison lands.

Years of neglect and misuse have resulted in a highly degraded stream habitat. Increasingly larger areas of impervious surfaces in the city, such as parking lots, rooftops and streets, result in the constant washing of pollutants and debris into the creek. Lack of adequate infiltration opportunities for stormwater has contributed to a severely reduced base flow and only a few of the numerous historic springs within the watershed still function.

The Friends of Starkweather Creek is a citizen's group dedicated to the enhancement of the watershed's environmental quality. We seek to raise public awareness and appreciation of the creek through education and outreach to watershed residents, businesses and landowners and we will serve as advocates for sound watershed planning and management practices.