Dane County Parks Friends Groups are groups of people who volunteer their time and services in support of the Dane County Park System. With 17 Friends Groups and 4 notable partners, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved year-round. Join one of the following groups today and help support a legacy for tomorrow.
Anderson Farm County Park (Oregon, WI)
Develop, protect, preserve, and enhance Anderson Farm County Park through programs and activities that focus on volunteerism, youth education, restoration, and food security. Events include the annual Candlelight Hike and Bonfire and monthly volunteer workdays.
Ice Age Trail Junction Natural Resource Area (Verona WI)
Restore, protect, and sustain natural resources within the Badger Mill Creek Environmental Corridor by participating in the conservation of natural plant and animal communities, and geologic/hydrologic features; and by promoting environmental stewardship through connecting people with nature and each other.
CamRock County Park (Cambridge, WI)
Promote and support the use of CamRock County Park through advocacy, interpretive signage, and community events. Provide opportunities for water monitoring on Koshkonong Creek and other educational events throughout the park.
Capital Springs Recreation Area (Madison, WI)
FOCSRA’s purpose is to support, assist, and promote all units within the Capital Springs Recreation Area. FOCSRA hosts and develops community outreach and volunteer opportunities such as educational events and community science surveys, on-site interpretive materials, and land stewardship.
Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area (DeForest, WI) / Yahara Heights County Park (Waunakee, WI)
Protect, restore, and foster appreciation and enjoyment of land, water, and living beauty at Cherokee Marsh, including the Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area and Yahara Heights County Park, through educational and interactive programs and activities.
Donald County Park (Mt. Horeb, WI)
Promote and support the development and passive use of Donald County Park through programs and activities that provide education, restoration, and preservation of cultural, natural, and historic resources. Events include the annual Donald Dash, Father's Day Picnic, Night of Stargazing, and regularly occurring Tuesday and Saturday volunteer workdays.
Festge County Park (Cross Plains, WI) / Salmo Pond County Park (Black Earth, WI)
Restore, maintain, and enhance the diversity of the prairies, woodlands, streams and wetlands of Festge County Park and Salmo Pond County Park within the edge of the beautiful Driftless Area. Host seasonal ecological restoration workdays and instructor-led educational foraging programs.
Indian Lake County Park (Cross Plains, WI) / Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area (Dane, WI)
Protect, preserve, and enhance Indian Lake County Park and Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area by hosting ecological restoration workdays and educational activities and programs. Events include the annual Indian Lake Trail Run and seasonal monarch tagging opportunities.
Fish Camp County Park (McFarland, WI) / LaFollette County Park (Stoughton, WI)
Protect, maintain, and enhance environmental and recreational values at Lake Kegonsa and surrounding shoreline. Activities include improving the ecology, water quality, fishing, and recreational use of Lake Kegonsa. Seasonal events hosted at Fish Camp County Park.
Lake View Hill County Park (Madison, WI)
Promote and support Lake View Hill County Park with programs and volunteer activities which support education, preservation, and restoration of this historical site. Events include nature walking and bird watching in and among the oak woodland trails.
McCarthy Youth and Conservation County Park (Cottage Grove, WI)
The Friends of McCarthy Park strive to help develop McCarthy Youth and Conservation County Park into a haven that inspires youth to engage and connect with nature. To achieve these goals, the friends promote and support the development of passive recreation, education programs, and the preservation of cultural, natural, and historic resources.
Halfway Prairie School (Cross Plains, WI)
Aims to protect and preserve the history of the Old Halfway Prairie School to keep it enjoyable for many generations to come. The schoolhouse is open to visitors on Sundays and Holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, provided volunteers are available.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy (Middleton, WI)
Advocate for all aspects of the Conservancy and its watershed, provide educational and interactive programs for all age levels, and organize land management and restoration activities. With a mission to restore, protect, and promote the Conservancy, the Friends are a non-profit funded primarily through membership dues and the generosity of its members.
Prairie Moraine County Park (Verona, WI)
Promote and support the development, restoration, conservation, and operation of Prairie Moraine County Park. Assist Dane County Parks with the maintenance of healthy, safe, and stimulating hiking and dog park area in a forest, oak savanna, and prairie community.
Schumacher Farm County Park (Waunakee, WI)
Support the development and passive use of Schumacher Farm Park through programs and activities that provide education, restoration, and preservation of cultural, natural and historic resources. Annual events include Halloween at the Farm, Heritage Fest, etc.
Silverwood County Park (Edgerton, WI)
The Friends of Silverwood Park support the development and maintenance of Silverwood County Park which includes advocating for regenerative agriculture. As a working farm, an outdoor classroom, and a recreational destination, the Friends manage a portion of the park's lands with public stewardship at the forefront.
Stewart Lake County Park (Mt. Horeb, WI)
The Friends of Stewart Park enjoy working in, advocating for, and supporting Stewart Lake County Park. To promote the park's natural and cultural history as a part of the Driftless Area, the Friends host monthly volunteer workdays and educational activities.
The following organizations are valuable partners to the Dane County Parks Volunteer Program. These groups coordinate with park staff to improve the quality of trails, natural areas, and streams at park properties throughout the county. Volunteer with these groups to support their efforts.
Capital Off Road Pathfinders (CORP) is a 501(c)(3) International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Chapter based in south-central Wisconsin. CORP manages, maintains, and builds mountain biking trails at the following Dane County Parks properties: CamRock County Park, Badger Prairie County Park, and Lewis Nine Springs E-Way (Seminole Mountain Bike Trails).
Friends of Wisdom Prairie support Holy Wisdom Monastery and the lands surrounding it, which includes the North Mendota Wildlife Area. Their mission is to care for the earth by contributing financial support, volunteer labor, and a growing community of advocates.
The Ice Age Trail Alliance has volunteers that conduct natural areas restoration, trail maintenance, and other types of work on segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that go through Dane County Parks properties.
Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited (SWTU) provides support for many of the quality trout streams that run through several properties in the Dane County Park System.
