The last blog gratefully acknowledged the key role our sanctuary interns play in Madison Audubon's care of the land.
Cover of the 2022 State Natural Areas Volunteer Report, courtesy of WDNR.
Please see this link for another key group of folks for any organization, including Madison Audubon, that cares for remnant or restored lands, VOLUNTEERS. This DNR report outlines and illustrates the work of 100s of volunteers across the State Natural Areas. I thought you might be interested in this report as a reminder of what wonderful places the SNAs are and its examples of some of those folks. And, as we'd expect, it has some Madison Audubon connections. My favorite is Susan Knaack's account of why she volunteers at the Rocky Run SNA. Sue has been one of the best Madison Audubon volunteers for years spending hours at Faville Grove Sanctuary and as a member of the Board of Directors. Her reasons will resonate with many of you and might motivate some to volunteer for Madison Audubon or at an SNA (or, what the heck, both).
The second highlight was Heidi Hankley, the DNR's SNA Volunteer of the Year. Hers is also a fun and inspiring story and reflects the first reason for the link. Her SNA is the York Prairie SNA, an easy drive for the six readers of this blog. It's a lovely prairie with pleasant walking. Some wonderful plants will be starting to bloom, including some uncommon milkweed. Plus, you're close to some of my favorite southwestern Wisconsin towns, like New Glarus, Monticello, Hollandale, and Blanchardville. All have great local foods and lunch spots and here's a tip, check out Grandview in Hollandale for some great folk art and, sorry to sound corny here, a shrine to some of our best American values.
The report will also encourage you with documentation and photographs of the great efforts being made to preserve vital habitats across Wisconsin.
Volunteers at Madison Audubon’s Faville Grove Sanctuary help collect prairie seeds. Photo by Brenna Marsicek / Madison Audubon
So, what is this doing in a Madison Audubon blog? Shouldn't we feature our own fabulous volunteers? Indeed we should; I have in the past; look forward to recognizing those wonderful folks in the future. But I think Madison Audubon should take strength and hope from the fact that we have many organizational and personal allies and friends in our efforts to preserve and improve habitat. Secondly, like Sue, some volunteers have the time and enjoy volunteering for several conservation organizations. Doing so enables you to meet new friends, to see new lands and wildlife, and to learn new skills and techniques. I think those experiences make the volunteers who work on several sites for different groups even better at what they do.
Take care,
Topf Wells, Madison Audubon advocacy committee
Cover photo by Ruth Smith
