MADISON, Wis. -- The 2009 Clean Lakes Festival took place on Saturday at Olin Park and organizers said the annual event is just one example of the importance that Madison residents place on the environment.

Funds raised at Saturday's event will go to the Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds.

More information can be found at cleanlakesfestival.com and danewaters.com.

In a related news, there is a new pilot program being introduced to help clean up local beaches. The goal is reducing pollution by reducing the geese population.

Officials spent part of the weekend monitoring the geese and adding plant life along the waterline, hoping that the geese would find somewhere else to stay.

Experts say the geese add problem nutrients to water, which creates excessive algae.