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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Madison

Let us help you find Mother Nature in this concrete jungle.

Wisconsin is full of scenic routes for hikers, bicyclists, and motorists to take in the state’s beauty. In fact, there are 

124 state-designated official Rustic Roads

 spanning 750 miles through 61 counties that make for beautiful adventures during all of Wisconsin’s seasons.

Here are some standout routes you can take to see the sights of autumn. Don’t forget your binoculars!

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum has more than 17 miles of trails conveniently located on the west side of town. This trip is great for anyone who wants to take in the sights without worrying about filling up the tank.

The Arboretum hosts many free classes and hikes that are perfect opportunities for families and groups.

 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711

Parfrey’s Glen is Wisconsin’s first State Natural Area and one of the most-visited natural areas in the state. Located roughly four miles east of Devil’s Lake State Park, the glen is home to a variety of threatened plants and insects, and at its uppermost part, it reaches a depth of nearly 100 feet.

Visitors are allowed to hike the stream up to the pool below the waterfall but are not allowed beyond the falls. Also, pets aren’t allowed.

The Wisconsin Great River Road is a 250-mile journey along the Mississippi River that’s part of a national scenic route that travels through 10 other states and stretches 3,000 miles. This is a great trip for anyone looking for a longer getaway.

 that has incredible views of where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi.

Highway 33 is one of Wisconsin’s  "Coast to Coast" routes, stretching from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. With plenty of state parks, bike trails, and local attractions, this route makes for a great weekend getaway.

The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive stretches 115 miles through six Wisconsin counties. There are numerous places to picnic, hike, camp, and bike along the way.

For even more hidden gems, check out this 

Where to See Wisconsin’s Fall Colors

Urban Almanac

The air is crisp, trees are changing colors, and pumpkin spice lattes are on the menu — it’s officially fall on Saturday. And while there are plenty of things to enjoy about this time of year, the season also brings an unwelcome guest to our lakes and streams: phosphorus.

According to the city, fall accounts for 

As rain soaks the leaves that have drifted from their branches onto yards, sidewalks, and streets, it dissolves the phosphorus in them and carries it into our waterways. You can think of the leaves as tea bags brewing phosphorus as it steeps.

Too much phosphorus can lead to murky waters, toxic algae growth, and depletion of oxygen in water, which results in the death of aquatic animals.

To combat the problem, the city cleans leaves from the streets before storms and offers yard waste collection in the fall. Clearing streets of leaves can reduce harmful phosphorus concentrations in stormwater by 

, according to a joint study from the City of Madison and U.S. Geological Survey. And 

Rake leaves from the street before it rains. Dane County residents can 

 that will remind you when rain is on the way and it’s time to take action.

. Using a mulching lawn mower to grind up leaves that fall on your lawn will return nutrients to the soil, providing a source of organic fertilizer to your lawn. It’s a win-win!

. Yard waste includes items like leaves, weeds, grass and garden trimmings, pumpkins, and pine cones. It’s different from brush, which is typically woody material cut from a tree. The city prefers you use compostable leaf bags to collect yard waste.

Yard waste pickup dates are now available for 2023. You can find yours by 

How Leaf-Free Streets Lead to Cleaner Lakes

There’s a team at the Madison Parks Department whose sole job is to eat and its members spend long hours on assignment in many Madison parks throughout the summer. But what’s most unique about these park staffers is that 

The city uses goats to clear out brush and invasive species from the city’s parks. And they’re pretty good at it.

Goats are a useful and more sustainable option for this situation because they can 

. Additionally, by making a first pass through a park, goats help cut down the amount of time that their human coworkers need to be out in the field (literally) with heavy equipment. And not to mention, they like to get paid in grass.

The goats munch on plants such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, box elder, mulberry, and will even devour poisonous or toxic plants like poison ivy (but don’t worry, it’s not harmful to them!).

On top of eating unwanted plants, goat pellets naturally fertilize soil and promote growth of native grasses. A win-win scenario since no one has to clean up after them.

The goats get dropped off inside areas of Madison parks that have been set up with electric fences, which keeps them in place for the most part. But every now and then, a

 with daily goat checks to ensure the goats and their area are in good condition, especially after storms.

The Goats in Your Backyard

Have you ever taken a walk around your neighborhood and seen a flutter of four-legged creatures with fluffy tails and fierce faces? Urban canids are all around us — whether you notice them or not — and UW-Madison is keeping track of the creatures.

 in 2014 after multiple reports of coyotes and red fox sightings were reported around campus. The experts in the program study how these animals, who have historically lived in rural settings, use the urban landscape and how their lives and behaviors change as a result of their living settings. Researchers trap and collar the canids and monitor their locations remotely without disturbing the animals.

An important aspect of the project is learning how humans and canids can coexist in an urban setting. When it comes to interacting with these wild neighbors, here are some tips from the experts.

Experts say this is their best advice when it comes to avoiding conflict with wild animals. When wild animals come to associate humans with food, they lose their natural fear and become more dependent on people.

Keep dogs on leashes when in areas known to hold wild canids, especially coyotes. Though conflict between pets and wild canids is rare, it can happen. Encounters can be especially tense during breeding season, which typically runs from January through March.

Experts emphasize that canids should maintain a healthy level of fear of humans. If you see a canid getting too cozy in your neighborhood, you can use hazing techniques to assert dominance and minimize the chance of conflict. This can include clapping, yelling, and throwing objects in the canid’s direction.

check out this video on how to haze coyotes

 from Public Health Madison & Dane County.

As with all of nature, building a sense of mutual respect is key to cohabitating peacefully.

Have you seen a fox or coyote in your own yard? The Urban Canid Project wants to know. You can report your sightings 

. More than 2,300 have been recorded so far!

Here's what you need to know about Madison today.

🌱 UW’s Urban Canid Project 

‘Tis the season for lights, and I’m not talking about Christmas trees or menorahs.

 exhibit is officially open and lighting up the east side with large-scale art installations. The event is one of Olbrich’s biggest fundraisers and showcases work from local, regional, and international designers.

 and every year since, well, except for 2020, GLEAM has transformed the outdoor gardens into an otherworldly destination drawing tens of thousands of visitors.

This year, attendees can expect to find a kaleidoscope of flowers, a maze of shadows, and 

GLEAM runs from Aug. 30 through Oct. 28. From now through September, the hours are 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. In October, the exhibit is open from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

 from $8 to $16 and kids under five get in free. Roughly 600 people are allowed through at staggered times per hour.

 Alcoholic (and nonalcoholic!) beverages are only available for purchase on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Cycropia Aerial Dance group will put on a special performance at GLEAM on Sept. 22.

In case you missed it, Atwood Ave. is currently 

 and alternative parking options in case the garden’s lot is full.

Whether you love it or hate it, it’s officially Pumpkin Spice Season. We want to know — where do you get your caffeine fix in Madison?

🌱 See the Lights at GLEAM

Native plants are an important part of our ecosystem and provide food for countless insects and wildlife that call Madison home. Since they’re true locals, native plants are uniquely adapted to the growing conditions of the upper Midwest. They even save water because all they need to thrive is average rainfall.

 to plant: the warmer soil encourages root growth and there’s lower weed pressure than in the spring.

The city encourages residents to use native plants in their yards, and 

some Madisonians have really taken to them

. But if you don’t want to commit to planting native species in your yard, or if you’re looking for a new way to flex your green thumb, check out the 

Here’s a look at some of Madison’s native plants. For more information, the 

Butterfly milkweed is a beloved native species known for its pollinator-attracting powers. Its brightly colored orange flowers typically bloom from July to August, and it’s best suited for well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils.

This plant loves full to partial sun and does best in rich loamy soil. When it blooms, the Monkey flower produces a pale blue-violet flower that some say looks like a monkey’s face.

Wild bergamot has fragrant long-lasting flowers. It has a wide tolerance for planting conditions and can easily grow to great heights when there’s no competition for nutrients. Bergamot flowers bloom from June to September and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

This plant flourishes in the sun and can grow up to six feet tall. Culver’s root flowers grow on distinctive slender spikes resembling candelabras. Fun fact: the plant has nothing to do with Wisconsin’s beloved eponymous fast food chain, rather, it’s named for a doctor Culver who prescribed the plant as an effective laxative.

Where do you get your ice cream fix in Madison?

🌱 Get to Know Madison’s Native Plants

Being on an isthmus, Madisonians are surrounded by water. But unfortunately, because of the literally freezing-cold winters and other environmental factors, our time on the water is limited. This time of year, one of the biggest threats to our beaches is blue-green algae.

. It can grow quickly forming “blooms” full of toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. In humans, symptoms can include stomach upset, rashes, and respiratory irritation.

Blue-green algae may not always be blue-green. Sometimes blooms appear as reddish-purple or brown. Oftentimes, blue-green algae 

Blue-green algae thrives in warm, nutrient-rich water. In the case of Madison’s lakes, 

 has contributed to the growth (and stench) of algal blooms.

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District is 

 in our city’s water but it’s not a simple job.

Public Health Madison and Dane County tests the waters at Madison’s beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day and lists the 

open status of Madison beaches on its website

And in general, always look at the water around you before you get in and don’t swim in water that looks like "pea soup." Don’t let your pets swim in it either.