Although many women lead conservation efforts around the world, the field remains male-dominated in many settings. As a result, women and gender minority participants (transgender, nonbinary, twospirit, or other identities) may not always feel comfortable learning skills like chainsaw use or operating heavy equipment.
Dane County Parks created a series of Women and Gender Minorities Workdays and Chainsaw Safety Trainings to provide a safe, supportive space to build practical skills, gain experience, and connect with others. These workdays are open to anyone who feels this would be an appropriate space for them to learn and work.
The program offers monthly, year-round workdays focused on land management and habitat restoration activities that help restore and maintain native ecosystems. Workdays are led by Dane County Parks natural areas staff. Dane County Parks aims to offer at least one Women and Gender Minorities workday for nearly every type of restoration activity offered.
These workdays are made possible by funding from the Foundation for Dane County Parks and A Fund for Women by Madison Community Foundation.
Before you can volunteer, you must register as a volunteer on MyImpact. Once registered, you can sign up for shifts/workdays and get updates and notifications from staff about new opportunities.
No experience needed! Trained Dane County staff provide guidance and support at every event. Just sign up and show up ready to help and have fun.
Invasive tree/brush removal (late fall through early spring): volunteers can operate chainsaws (with proper certification) or brush cutters or can assist with lopping brush and hauling into piles to be burned. We remove invasive species like honeysuckle and buckthorn, as well as the overly abundant walnut trees, to make room for native species to thrive, restoring habitat for native creatures.
Invasive weed removal (late spring through summer): using hand tools, volunteers will assist with removing invasive weeds in our prairies and woodlands.
Tree planting (spring): volunteers will assist our forestry team in planting young trees in our parks!
Seed collection (late summer through fall): this is a fun opportunity to learn about native plant species while helping us collect native prairie seeds to be planted the following year.
Seed processing (late fall/early winter): connect with like-minded individuals while learning how to use all the machines that process our seeds to make them ready to store and plant. This work will occur largely indoors.
More to come! If you have an idea for a Women and Gender Minorities Volunteer Workday in Dane County Parks, let us know by emailing parksvolunteer@danecounty.gov
Contact:
Dane County Parks Volunteer Program
parksvolunteer@danecounty.gov
