Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Parties
The UW-Madison Arboretum is a pioneer and leader in ecological restoration. It provides ongoing, year-round opportunities for community members and students to practice land care and restoration management techniques at the Arboretum, learn about Wisconsin’s native ecosystems, and foster the land ethic. At its work parties, volunteers conduct a variety of tasks such as removing brush and invasive plants, preparing the site for prescribed burns, broadcasting native seeds, and providing educational information about natural history, ecology, and restoration. It also offers a Team Leader training program for volunteers to learn how to lead work parties in the field; many team leaders become land managers at other sites.
Outcomes
Student and community members are engaged with hands-on experience in restoring and exploring native plant communities and ecosystems. Volunteers become a corps of Arboretum advocates who informally speak and act on its behalf and support its mission. At the work parties, they are provided with the opportunity to add to their ecological literacy. Volunteers receive training on: history and mission of the Arboretum; Wisconsin ecosystems and flora; natural history; ecology; ecological restoration principles and management; and native and invasive plant identification. The land ethic is promoted through caring for Arboretum lands and protecting native plants and ecosystems.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Marian Farrior
Earth Partnership Field Manager
- Department/Unit
- UW-Madison Arboretum
- School or College
- Graduate School