Friends of Starkweather Creek (FSC) was started in February 2002 by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to promote the rejuvenation of Starkweather Creek. Over the years, FSC has organized creek clean-ups and celebrations to raise awareness and pride in the creek. We also actively advocate for responsible development in the watershed and for commitments from city government to improve the creek.
2025 Board of Directors
Aaron Cutler
Noah Edelstein (Secretary)
Sean Gere
Lance Green (Chair)
Doug Johnson (Treasurer)
John Newman
Paul Noeldner
Matt Noone
Mike Rupiper
Aaron Cutler
Noah Edelstein
Noah loves canoeing, hiking, clean air, clean water, and fresh ideas. Exploring natural areas with binoculars in tow while on the lookout for birds is one of his favorite past-times. In a former life Noah was a science and math teacher. Now, he brings hope of a healthy creek ecosystem for his kids and the youth of our community to enjoy.
Sean Gere
Lance Green
Lance has been lovin life here on Madison’s East side, walking, biking and paddling along the creek for over 30 years. He’s taught math and science in high schools and college, ran a pilot recycling pick-up program for Madison, given 150 talks on recycling to all ages as “Mr Green Genes,” worked two years at a nuclear weapons plant to eventually shut it down and for 20 years administered a Wisconsin DNR program to reduce releases of ozone-depleting gases. A lifelong peace and environmental organizer and activist, Lance
now serves on the Sustainable Madison Committee and Friends of Starkweather Creek Board.
Doug Johnson
John Newman
Paul Noeldner
Paul has been passionately involved with the Friends group for about the last four years, contributing his uniquely diverse skills in inspiring and enthusiastic ways. He is master naturalist, expert birder and the powerhouse behind a hugely successful collaboration of Madison Parks, Madison Audubon, Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) and various community centers and friends groups throughout the city… including 3rd Saturday outings with FSC.
Matt Noone
Matt has been involved with monitoring water quality on the Starkweather creek since 2020 and recently joined the board in 2025. He received his BS in Forest Ecosystem Science and MS in Natural Resource Management from the University of Maine. Matt spent several years working for the US Forest Service in Maine, Montana and Washington. Matt is currently the Senior Environmental Planner at the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission. In his free time Matt enjoys his backyard chicken flock, bee hives, woodworking and gardening.
Mike Rupiper
Mike has been a watershed resident since 2007. He is an environmental engineer and planner by profession, and a canoeist and native plant enthusiast by passion. In addition to volunteering with Friends of Starkweather Creek, Mike has conducted water quality monitoring on the creek with the Rock River Coalition and has served on the Clean Lakes Alliance Community Board.
In Memoriam: Carl Landsness
In Memory of Carl Landsness – A noble soul who enjoyed the creek as a youth and cared for it with us in his later years.
Carl was a Madtown and Starkweather native son, prodigal son, placemaker, peacemaker, troublemaker, recovering analytic, reformed rescuer and reborn steward (making amends for massive mischief all over the watershed in his 50’s/60’s youth).
After 30 years away (seduced by the glitter, glamour and gold of west coast hi-tech yuppiedom), he returned in 02, celebrating half and grieving half the changes he saw (outside and inside).
Paddling up the creek (with a paddle) for the first time in 04 (with FSC founders Doug Johnson and John Steines) did more to help Carl heal from deep dark depression (his reason for returning to Madison) than any pill or professional ever did.
He saw nature (especially Starkweather) as a key vehicle for helping heal people and place in win/win ways… especially down and dirty clean-ups and childlike play: i.e. weaving the patience, wisdom and humility of the wounded elder with the wonder, awe and glee of the innocent child… the perfect antidote for Nature Deficit Disorder.
Landsness Legacy Park has been established in his honor.