Dane County Land & Water Resources Parks Division Adult Conservation Team Common Natural Areas Projects

Prairie Plant Propagator | Seed Collecting | Seed Scattering | Weed Control/Prairie Foster Parent | Controlled Burns | Field Work

Responsible to: Naturalist or Volunteer Natural Areas Manager

Objectives: Produce healthy prairie plants to transplant; facilitate restoration and enrichment of prairies in Dane County Parks.

Responsibilities: Sow seeds for propagation, transplant seedlings into root trainers, tend root trainers at

home or at the Department, transplant plants into prairie sites. Tending the plants includes watering, fertilizing, weeding and providing protection from animals. Return plants to the Department when notified.

Qualifications: For tending at home: knowledge of basic gardening technique, attention to detail, experience growing perennial flowers, a few square feet of land. Must be able to provide partial shade and protection from wind and arrange coverage during absences. Tending at the Department: commitment to regular schedule.

Training & Preparation: Orientation/training with naturalist. County provides seeds, root trainers, Jiffy Mix and other pertinent materials. "How to Grow" fact sheet provided. On-going consultation is available.

Objectives: Harvest prairie plant seeds for prairie restoration efforts. This encourages love of nature in children and adults, and allows us to restore more wildflowers.

Responsibilities: Work with small groups of adults or as a leader of youth group; collect seeds from plants and put in a proper bag. Clippers are helpful but not required. Bring in lots of large paper grocery bags.

Qualifications: An interest in being outdoors in natural areas and in learning how to identify plants in seed  (i.e., without the flower). This is an ideal event for families with children over seven years old.

Training & Preparation: On-the-job training; plants will be identified by Park Staff.

Objectives: Increase the growth of a prairie; establish a new prairie.

Responsibilities: Scatter prairie flower seeds by hand in designated area. Seeds may be mixed with

moist sawdust. Your arm should swing in a high, wide arc as you travel in a straight line across the site, or as you turn in a circle or as otherwise directed by the Naturalist. Wild flowers tend to grow by spreading out from a central point. Sparse spreading is preferable to dense. Don't drop piles of seeds. If it's windy, move with the wind at your ear, not at your back or front. Spreading chaff is a good activity for students. Chaff should be thrown up into the air.

Qualifications: Generally an adult activity; ability to work comfortably on uneven ground.

Training & Preparation: On-the-job training by Naturalist; orientation to prairie restoration.

Objectives: Eradicate and control weeds in a natural area, especially restored prairies and woodlands.

Responsibilities: Clear a designated area of weeds; may be working under the direction of a Volunteer Natural Areas Manager or Prairie Foster Parents make a commitment to 10 - 20 hours over a summer, working independently and with other volunteers. Primary tool is a sharp shovel.

Qualifications: Ability to work independently, stamina, love of outdoor work, maintain commitment.

Training & Preparation: Orientation to work site and working with volunteers; education about particular weeds.

Objectives: Promote growth and manage prairies and oak woods.

Responsibilities: Work with hand operated fire control equipment: rakes, backpack pumps and flappers. Duties can include: acting as a spotter of sparks and flames in adjacent areas not being burned; extinguishing those fires with flappers or water, raking flammable material, applying water.

Qualifications: Good health.

Training & Preparation: On-the-job training; previous burn experience and/or participation in a class in prairie fire management such as that offered by The Nature Conservancy is helpful.

Objectives: Create a habitat that will support diverse wildlife, usually a prairie. Create conditions that will allow the growth of wild flower species that have been choked out by other species.

Responsibilities: Use weed wrench, bow saws and toppers. Remove undesirable woody species from designated area. Species removed include honeysuckle, buckthorn, box elder and aggressive weeds such as burdock.

Bushes and trees should be cut to a maximum of 6" and a minimum of 2" high. Above 6" the herbicide

that prevents resprouting is less effective. When piling the brush, pile it higher rather than wide. Be sure it doesn't "creep" onto a trail.

Qualifications: Physical stamina and strength; love of outdoor work. Chain saws may only be used when approved by Parks Department staff. You must provide your own chain saw and safety equipment.

Training & Preparation: Orientation to the work site and rationale behind removal of certain plants. Instruction in the use of the weed wrench. Discussion of chain saw safety with naturalist is required. Chain saw volunteers sign a special form.

For information about these and other volunteer projects, contact Rhea Stangel-Maier, Adult Conservation Team Manager at (608) 224-3601.

Dane County Parks Commission
3101 Lake Farm Rd.
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 224-3601
Fax (608) 246-3898
stangel-maier@co.dane.wi.us

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Revised: November 21, 2003