Restoration and Stewardship

Restoration Efforts

Prescribed burn of the Anderson Farm prairie

Volunteers removing Burdock during a workday

Collecting native plant seeds

Wild Geranium blooming

Anderson Park Friends, Inc Volunteer Workday

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Prescribed Fire
Many native ecosystems rely upon fire to remain diverse and resilient landscapes. Professionally trained staff and volunteers conduct prescribed burns on over 1,000 acres of county-owned land annually, which help combat brush, manage invasive species, and maintain healthy habitats.

Invasive Species Management
Invasive species can spread quickly, out-competing native species and harming ecosystems. Professionally trained staff and volunteers combat invasive species at this park through cutting, pulling, digging, prescribed fire, mowing, herbicide, and biological control.

Seed Collection
Volunteers help collect seeds from prairie and woodland plants. The seeds are used to restore and add plant diversity to hundreds of acres of prairie habitat all over the Dane County Park System.

Plant Diversity
The Anderson Park Friends are working to increase plant diversity in the park. Take a walk in the woods in the spring and you will notice wildflowers growing where
garlic mustard once took over.

Forestry Health Challenges
Our forests are facing a number of threats – from pests and diseases, such as Oak Wilt and Spongy Moth, to invasive plants, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle which
grow quickly and shade out oak seedlings. Oaks support over 800 species of wildlife and are incredibly important to local ecosystem health, so removing invasive brush and treating select oak trees to provide protection against fungal disease and insect pests has been a top priority.