NATURAL AREAS & PARKS
Nine Springs E-Way: Workdays led by the Nine Springs Network, usually the second Saturday of the month, 9:00-12:00. Along the north side of McCoy Rd. between Hwy 14 and Syene Rd. For exact dates and information about the Nine Springs Network, call 255-7631 or 246-5366.
Donald Park: Our newest park, in the driftless area near Mt Vernon. Burns, field work, plantings and other projects throughout the year. Call for information about regular Wednesday morning work parties. A project in the Upper Sugar River Watershed.
Pheasant Branch Marsh: Saturday mornings from 9:00-noon, April 10 & 24, May 1 & 15. Meet at the parking lot on Pheasant Branch Rd., about 1 mile north of Century Ave (Hwy M) in Middleton. Look for the large, distinct hill on the east side of the road.
Earth Day Projects in the Ice Age Trail Junction Area: Celebrate Earth Day by bringing the Ice Age Trail closer to completion. The Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation will lead our work parties on Saturdays, April 17 & 24, from 9:00-3:00. Access is off Cross Country Rd on Verona’s north side, east of Hwy. M. Park at the Reddan Soccer Park for these dates only. April 17 is also Dane County Youth Service Day and this project is a great way for youth, in groups or as individuals, to have a real, positive effect on our environment. Come for the day or part of the day. A project in the Upper Sugar River Watershed.
Prairie Plant Propagators: On May 20 we’ll be transplanting prairie plants at the County Parks Department. Filling pots and prep work is from 9:00-noon; potting up, 1:00-4:00. These seedlings will be planted at Lake Farm Park on May Flower Day, 2000.
Prairie Foster Parents: The many acres of prairie we plant annually need help with weed control during the early years. Most weeding is done in the summer, using sharp shovels to cut roots of parsnip, Queen Ann’s lace, sweet clover, burdock, thistle, box elder, and honeysuckle. Individuals or small groups adopt targeted areas and commit 10 to 20 hours per month during the growing season (May 1 - October 1) for weed control. We’re looking for people in reasonably good physical condition to spend a couple of hours at a time using a shovel or pulling up plants. You must be willing to make the commitment and work alone, but could recruit friends or other volunteers to join you occasionally. Training covers issues of prairie management, weed identification, effective use of the shovel, herbicide and the areas available for “adoption.” Our priority areas are Lake Farm Park, the Nine Springs E-Way, the Ice Age Trail Junction Area and Donald Park (the latter two are projects in the Upper Sugar River Watershed)..
Certified Pesticide Applicators. Volunteers treat stumps to prevent re-growth, individually or as part of a workday group. Those who want to become Certified Pesticide Applicators can now take the “Right of Way” test as training, instead of “Turf & Ornamental.” The latter exam includes information about insecticides, which is not relevant for our purposes. |
Annual Dog Park Spring Cleanup: Saturday, April 10, from 9:00-noon, at all five Dane County Parks Off-Leash Dog Exercise Areas. County dog parks are at Indian Lake, Token Creek, Viking, Yahara Heights and Prairie Moraine (Tower). Park visitors do a pretty good job picking up their pets’ waste, but sometimes it’s hard to find. Bring your favorite scooper and pitch in. Believe it or not, this project is a lot of fun and you’ll meet some great people and dogs. Prizes are sponsored by local businesses and garbage bags provided by Dane County Parks. Madison, Sun Prairie and Gov. Nelson State Park dog parks are also participating. Sponsors include Badger Kennel Club, Dog’s Best Friend, Lucky Dog Day Care & Training Center, Mad City Dog Training, Mounds Pet Food Warehouse, Noah’s Ark, PetsMart and the Wisconsin Dog Federation.
Bicentennial Oak Stewards: Monitor the condition of a pin oak planted in 1989 to commemorate the Bicentennial of the US Constitution. Currently we need stewards for the trees at Token Creek and Lake Farm County Parks. We are asking for a minimum commitment of one growing season, checking the tree monthly from early spring through October. We would like volunteers to renew the commitment for subsequent years.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Office Volunteers: Primarily data entry. We use Microsoft Office; prefer experience but will train. Flexible hours. Come join our congenial office! Free parking.
Park History: Research your favorite County park. Written material may be used on park information kiosks, brochures or in a future publication.
Reflections on Prairie Foster Parenthood, with apologies to Mr. Kilmer in case he gets wind of it
Ken Siemers
I think that I shall never see
An E-Way that is quite weed-free,
An E-Way whose hill is now stressed
By weedy invaders on her crest;
A hill that may in summer wear
A mess of burdock in her hair;
A hill with lots of Queen Anne’s Lace;
And fields of parsnip on her face.
Upon whose bosom sweet clover is lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Prairies are planted by fools like me
But only God can make them weed-free.
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