News from around the Region | Stay up to date with our roundup of planning news and development projects from around the region. | | | Calling All Communities: Participate in the Dane County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | |
CARPC is working with Dane County Planning & Development and Dane County Emergency Management to update the Dane County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. These plans help communities understand the risks posed by natural disasters and take proactive steps to protect people and property from their impacts.
To remain eligible for future hazard mitigation grants, cities, villages, and towns must participate in the update process and adopt the final plan. Communities can indicate their intent to participate by completing and returning a Municipal Participation Form by Monday, March 30.
| | CARPC's Caitlin Shanahan explores a flooded
Western Green Park in DeForest, March 2019 | | Celebrating Environmental Leadership at CARPC | |
We’re excited to share that CARPC Executive Director Jason Valerius has received an Environmental Enhancement Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA WI).
This recognition highlights Jason and CARPC’s sustained commitment to environmental enhancement across all aspects of our work—from advancing and promoting the use of green infrastructure to protecting environmental corridors, reducing chloride pollution, and expanding the urban tree canopy.
| | | 1000 Friends of WI: Community Transportation Academy | |
The Madison Community Transportation Academy is a free, 10-week course hosted by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. It helps bridge the gap between community members and transportation decision-makers, and gives participants tools to advocate for safe, accessible transportation solutions.
Sessions run Thursdays from 4–6 p.m., April 2 through June 4, 2026, and include a session led by CARPC and the Greater Madison MPO. Be sure to apply by Tuesday, March 24.
| | | Connecting with Future Salt Wise Leaders | |
WI Salt Wise had a great time at Winter Camp at Lake Wingra! These future Salt Wise leaders helped test chloride levels in the lake and learned simple steps we can all take to keep our lakes healthy (and less salty!).
WI Salt Wise is always out and about leading trainings and connecting with communities across the state. Have an idea for a partnership? Reach out to WI Salt Wise Program Manager Allison Madison.
| | | Salt Wise Stories: Learn from CJ's Lawn & Snow Service | |
WI Salt Wise’s March webinar featured CJ’s Lawn and Snow Services Inc., a family-owned grounds maintenance company based in Waunakee.
CJ’s manages snow removal for more than 75 acres of parking lots. During the 2024–25 season, they piloted liquid brine on one truck. The results were so successful that they transitioned to 100% liquid applications for the 2025–26 season—something customers were excited to see.
Learn more about their transition and work with WI Salt Wise by watching the recording, available on YouTube.
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You’ve probably noticed the News Map at the start of every CARPC newsletter—including this one. It’s a quick way to see what’s happening across the region, with stories on everything from housing and development to water, energy, and more.
We’ve made it even easier to explore with a new News Feed mode, giving you two ways to view the latest planning and development news:
- Map View: See where stories are happening across the region
- News Feed: Scroll through all recent articles in one place—no map clicking needed
Try it out by clicking the toggle in the top right corner. You can switch back and forth anytime.
| | | | Balancing Urban Demand & Farmland Preservation | |
CARPC recently presented at Yahara Pride Farms’ annual Watershed-Wide Conference, highlighting the many forces shaping growth, urban development, and farmland preservation in Dane County.
Coverage by the Midwest Farm Report was also picked up by Q106, helping bring these conversations to the greater Madison area farming community.
| |  | What’s Next: Fitchburg–Oregon Planning Area | |
CARPC presented to Fitchburg and Oregon on potential plans for a 500-acre area in southeast Fitchburg, near the Village of Oregon. The presentation highlighted opportunities for future collaboration and key insights from CARPC’s listening sessions with landowners.
Both the Oregon Observer and Fitchburg Star covered the presentation.
| | | Catch Us Outside This Spring! | | Bilingual Environmental Conservation Fair | |
EcoLatinos is hosting its 4th annual Bilingual Environmental Conservation Fair on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 4 p.m.
The CARPC and MPO team will be there—stop by and say hi! You can learn more about CARPC’s tree canopy work and the MPO’s programs that support car-free and carpooling options.
| | | Earth Day Every Day Sustainability Fair | |
We’ll also be joining the MPO team at the 2026 Earth Day Every Day Sustainability Fair & Electric Vehicle Showcase on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Middleton Community Church.
Stop by for a kid-friendly game and giveaways, including Bicycle Benefits stickers—we hope to see you there!
| | | Greater Madison MPO Corner | | Get Ready for the RoundTrip Spring Roll Challenge | |
RoundTrip Greater Madison is hosting its annual Spring Roll Challenge, with a goal of reaching 10,000 green trips across Dane County during Earth Month.
To participate, simply create a free RoundTrip account and start logging your bike, bus, carpool, walk, or roll trips in the RoundTrip app or website from April 1–30. Every trip you log gets you entered into weekly and grand prize drawings. Plus, the first 50 people to log a green trip will score a free slice of Ian’s pizza and two free Metro Transit rides.
| | | Join RoundTrip & Metro Transit for a Learn & Ride Event | |
RoundTrip is teaming up with Metro Transit to host a Learn & Ride event at the Sun Prairie Park & Ride on Tuesday, March 31, from 7–10 a.m.
Stop by to get your bus questions answered and learn how the RoundTrip program supports car-free commuting, including information on the Dane County Emergency Ride Home program. Plus coffee and donut holes will be available while supplies last!
| | | MARCH COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY | | |
Passed a resolution recommending adoption of updated Policies and Criteria for Sewer Service Area Amendments to the DNR
Passed a resolution adopting a fee policy for Sewer Service Area Amendment reviews
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Received a staff presentation on potential economic development programming that could come out of the Revolving Loan Fund transition
Received a staff presentation on Regional Development Framework Key Performance Indicators
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Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom.
Visit our Meeting Info page for the most up-to-date meeting information.
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