Tree Pick-Up: 
Give Your Tree a Fresh Start

Starting in January, Middleton crews will collect holiday trees as weather and time allow. Before setting yours out:

• Remove stands, lights, tinsel, and ornaments.
• Keep it clear of snow and away from fire hydrants, mailboxes, and waste carts.
• Check for Elongate Hemlock Scale—look for brown waxy spots on the underside of needles. Found it? Seal the tree in a plastic bag, label it “invasive species,” and toss it in your trash cart.

🌟 Reminder: Recycle holiday lights at Ace Hardware, Goodwill, or the City Recycling Center—free through January!  

Conservancy Days: Nature Awaits!

Mark your calendar for Middleton’s 2025 Conservancy Days series. Monthly free events at the library feature expert speakers on birding, wetlands, and even monarch tagging!

First up:
🗓️ January 16: Wisconsin Wetlands with Tracy Hames
📍 6 PM at the library

🌟 Don’t miss moths of the conservancy on March 20 or monarch butterfly tagging in July. 

Adopt a Storm Drain: 
Easy, Impactful, Green!

Show your neighborhood some love by adopting a storm drain! Help prevent flooding and keep pollutants out of our lakes and rivers.

• Grab a rake.
• Clear your drain of leaves, trash, and debris.

🌟 Ready to join the movement? Sign up at ripple-effects.com/adopt-a-storm-drain.

Free Native Plants for 
Community Projects

Dane County is giving away free native plants for public gardens! Eligible groups can enhance pollinator habitats and water quality.

🗓️ Apply by January 31
🌱 Pickup in May/June

Meet Author Bill Berry

📚 Join us on February 20 at 1 PM for a fascinating talk by Bill Berry, author of Banning DDT: How Citizen Activists in Wisconsin Led the Way.

Discover how Wisconsin citizens sparked a national environmental movement. This free event is a must for history buffs and conservation enthusiasts alike!

Welcome, New Officers!

Middleton PD welcomes our newest Madison College Law Enforcement Academy graduates. 

Virtual Author Talks

Don’t miss this month’s virtual events featuring bestselling authors:

• Jan. 15, 6 PM: TJ Klune (The House in the Cerulean Sea)
• Jan. 23, 1 PM: Amanda Montell (Cultish)
• Jan. 28, 12 PM: Literary Agent Seth Fishman