Dane County Parks

Since we're entering the season of gift giving, do you know someone who'd love this shirt? 🐢🐢🐢

Support the amazing ecological restoration and habitat conservation work that the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy are doing by purchasing this awesome Blanding's Turtle t-shirt! Once it's gone, it's gone, so snap it up quick.

Learn more here: pheasantbranch.org/support-wetland-restoration/

Have you heard- The Blandings Turtle is the word! And the new hot shirt!

Why are we selling t-shirts highlighting a Blandings Turtle? This species was formerly listed as Threatened in Wisconsin and had declined due to habitat loss and poaching. Long-lived, Blanding's turtles may take up to 20 years to reach maturity!

Living in wetlands but needing upland areas nearby for laying eggs, Blanding' turtles need different types of habitats to complete their life cycle. At Pheasant Branch Conservancy Blandings Turtles live in sedge meadow areas, over-winter in areas with open water, and nest on Fredericks Hill and Bock Prairie. Stewardship efforts of the Friends and its partners, support preservation and restoration of this needed habitat.

Please consider supporting our restoration efforts by purchasing a Blandings Turtle t-shirt today!

https://pheasantbranch.org/support-wetland-restoration/

We're excited to announce that we're again partnering with Madison Public Library, Monona, and Oregon public libraries to host several native seed packaging opportunities! These packages of native seeds will help create seed libraries at 8 libraries.

Each event has a separate signup. Registration is required as space is limited. (two more events will be scheduled soon for Monona and Oregon so stay tuned).

Lakeview Library: Monday, Dec. 4 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm https://events.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/137125/volunteer-event-native-seed-packaging

Pinney Library: Monday, Dec. 11 from 6 - 8 pm
https://events.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/137107/volunteer-event-native-seed-packaging

Sequoya Library: Friday, Dec. 15 from 12 - 2 pm
https://events.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/137104/volunteer-event-native-seed-packaging

⚠️ 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗼𝘆 𝗥𝗱 - 𝗪𝗲𝗱 𝟭𝟭/𝟮𝟵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗿𝗶 𝟭𝟮/𝟴 ⚠️
The Capital City Trail section along McCoy Road under Highway 14 will be CLOSED for repairs from Wednesday, November 29 through Friday, December 8, 2023.

We’re so grateful to everyone who has donated and supported us today! Because of you we are able to provided valuable experiential and hands-on learning for children and adults in our community.

Although we have made progress, there are still items on our wish list that would greatly benefit our program participants. Thank you so much for your generosity and support!

To make a donation, or view our wish list, visit: https://lussierheritagecenter.com/Donate

☀ On today's episode of "Transformation Tuesday", we're delighted to share some before and after shots from Lower Mud Lake Natural Resource Area, located in McFarland.

Volunteers Kathy, Glenn, and Peter spent three mornings within the span of a week to remove invasives like honeysuckle and buckthorn growing between majestic oaks and hickories growing along the road. A big thank you to everyone for their work!

📸 Kathy Pease

Today is !

We are so grateful to those of you who help to support our parks each and every day.

Whether it’s sharing a word of thanks, volunteering at a workday, or donating to Dane County Parks or one of our Friends Groups, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.

Read more about our many Friends Groups and how you can support them here: www.danecountyparks.com/Friends-Groups-Partners

Chainsaw classes will be hosted at Lake View Hill County Park on November 28 and December 2. Park visitors are advised to stay on designated trails.

Our offices are closed today and Friday. Staff will respond to messages on Monday.

Join our Team! Dane County Parks is hiring a Land Restoration Specialist - project position.

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁
Deadline: Dec. 5, 2023

Under general supervision, the Land Restoration Specialist will support the Botanist/Naturalist and Land & Water Volunteer Coordinator through the implementation of ecological restoration and land management activities and the coordination, training, and supervision of volunteers and partner groups on various projects within the Dane County Parks system.

More info: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyofdane/jobs/4280034

A huge thank you to our volunteers who joined us over the last several months to collect and clean native seed from properties all over the county!

The last three weeks have been spent cleaning all this seed, which is definitely not the cleanest project. Our dedicated and willing volunteers spent over 470 hours with staff in the seed shed, using hammer mills, fanning mills, and hand screens to clean seed. Without such amazing folks we could never do the work we do. Thank you!

Dane County is required under NR 109 Wis. Admin. Code to update Aquatic Plant Management Plans every five years for waterbodies where the county harvests aquatic plants. Beginning in 2023, the department began the process to update the plans for both Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Drafts of the updated plans are available on our website.

If you wish you comment on the draft documents please see the feedback section below for details. Comments will be accepted through December 30, 2023.

Learn more at: https://lwrd.countyofdane.com/What-We-Do/lake-management/aquatic-plant-management/Aquatic-Plant-Management-Plan-Updates

This past Thursday we held our first-ever Women and Gender Minorities Invasive Tree & Brush Workday!

We had 7 certified sawyers and 3 haulers join us for a beautiful day at Indian Lake County Park. Several certified sawyers provided chainsaw mentoring to those who were relatively new to using a chainsaw. One volunteer said it was a "totally empowering" experience, a sentiment echoed by all of our workday attendees.

Thanks to all these awesome folks for joining us for a great day of work, learning, and community building! To learn more about these workdays, and join us at our December and January workdays, head here: danecountyparks.com/Event/Detail/1716

A big thank you to A Fund for Women for funding the equipment and PPE used during this workday.

Goodnight Dane County 🌅

📷

Our two disc golf courses will soon be closing for the season! Baskets will be removed on Monday, November 20 from our courses at Token Creek County Park and the Capital Springs Recreation Area.

Get in those last few rounds this weekend before it is too late!

Can't wait for next summer for them to open again? Grab your 2024 disc golf permit today so you are ready to go.

Purchase online at: www.reservedane.com

Join us this Saturday!

🍂 FAMILY FALL HIKE happening Saturday! Weather is looking nice! 🍂

Sign up now at https://lussierheritagecenter.com/Event/Detail/1701.

Check out this beautiful scene from our Natural Areas staff who were burning out at Walking Iron County Park! The crew has been able to conduct prescribed burns at several properties so far this week. Cheers to beautiful fall weather.

Happy 😋

📷

Back in October birders flocked to the Lewis Nine Springs E-way to catch a glimpse of a Clark’s Nutcracker, a species not usually found in Wisconsin. One individual even drove over 100 miles to see this bird!

In case you missed it, check out some of these incredible photos.

Photo 1 & 2:
Photo 3:
Photo 4:
Photo 5:

Good morning Dane County 🌅

📷

A chainsaw class will be hosted at Lake View Hill County Park in the afternoon on Saturday, November 11. Park visitors are advised to stay on designated trails.

Please remember that hunting is allowed on a select number of our properties. Gun deer season runs from Nov. 18-26, 2023. Gun hunting is ONLY allowed in Dane County Parks properties that are designated Wildlife Areas. To see a list of wildlife areas, visit our website: https://www.danecountyparks.com/ParkSystem/Classification.

𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀:
🍁KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Hunting Season dates set by the Wisconsin DNR.
🍁WEAR BLAZE ORANGE or other highly visible clothing.
🍁IF YOU HIKE WITH A DOG, it should have a dog permit and wear a blaze orange vest and be on a leash at all times, unless engaged in hunting activities.
🍁USE EXTRA CAUTION AT DAWN and DUSK. Hunting activity may increase at dawn and dusk when animals are feeding.
🍁AVOID HUNTER INTERFERENCE: It is prohibited by Wisconsin law to interfere with people engaged in lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping (WI Statutes 29.083).
🍁BE HEARD: Make sure you are heard, by whistling, singing, or talking while you hike.

Creature Feature: Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina)

🌲 Tennessee Warblers breed in boreal forests of coniferous or mixed deciduous-coniferous trees, however during migration they are not picky, and can be found in many types of wooded habitats in eastern North America.
🐛️ Tennessee Warblers eat mostly caterpillars and other invertebrates, but their winter diet also includes nectar.
🌸 The Tennessee Warbler is a common nectar "thief." Most nectar-eating species probe a flower from the front to get the nectar which spreads pollen on their faces in the process. But Tennessee warblers pierce the flower tube at the base, lapping up the nectar without helping pollinate the flower.
🐦 Despite breeding no closer to the state of Tennessee than northern Michigan, 600 miles away, the Tennessee Warbler was given its name by Alexander Wilson based on a bird he encountered in Tennessee during its migration.

📷

Do you want to help us grow native plants to give away to local schools and community organizations? We still have 4 spots left in our workshop this Sunday! This training will provide an overview of native plants and teach you everything you need to know to grow the plants - no prior experience is needed.

Since the program began in 2016, more than 31,500 plants have been distributed to 160 different groups, including schools, neighborhood associations and community centers.

Learn more and register here:
https://lwrd.countyofdane.com/Event/Detail/1604

Chainsaw classes will be hosted at McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park on Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4. Park visitors are advised to stay on designated trails.

2024 Park Activity Permits and Camping and Shelter Reservations are now available!
Make sure you are ready for the New Year! Purchase your park permits or make your camping and shelter reservations today.

You will need to create a new account or log into your existing account before you can purchase an annual permit. Purchase online at www.reservedane.com

Our rangers will be out in the parks during the month of November selling permits. If you see a ranger truck, stop by to meet them and purchase your permit in person.

We love hosting these amazing young adults from Operation Fresh Start!

Happy !

📷 Steven Knurr

Looking for fun fall events or updates about park projects? Check out our November newsletter!

November 2023 Newsletter Check out this Presentation designed by SusanSandford.

Where is your favorite park to catch a fall sunset?

A beautiful fall photo! 🍂 Thank you for sharing!

📷

Swamp Sparrow | Melospiza georgiana

🐦 Swamp Sparrows can be found in wetlands. They prefer to nest in fens and bogs that have patches of open water, especially those dotted with shrubs. They also nest in peat bogs with little open water.
🐦 Swamp Sparrows feed on seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. This species even sometimes sticks its head under water to try to capture aquatic invertebrates.
🐦 The Swamp Sparrow has longer legs than other members of its genus; this adaptation allows it to wade into shallow water to forage.

📷

Happy !
📷 Dog Grin Photography

Join our Team! Dane County Parks is hiring a full-time Park Ranger.

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿
Deadline: Nov 3, 2023
Under direction of the Engagement & Visitor Services Manager, this position is a lead worker of a park work unit including the supervision of part-time staff in the areas of visitor services, grounds and facility maintenance, natural areas management, public contact and, natural resource protection. This position will work a variable schedule including nights and weekends. The Eligibility List created will be used to fill future vacancies over the next six (6) months. All are encouraged to apply.
More info: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyofdane/jobs/4242382

We hate to see them go...but we do love to watch them fly.

Many species, including crane, have started their fall migrations. Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo Kenton Fowler.

📷

🚨 Invasive Species Alert 🚨

Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) has been discovered on parks land this year. It's considered to be one of the 10 worst weeds in the world. Is also a prohibited species in Wisconsin (meaning landowners are required to manage it on their lands). We're hoping folks can help us keep an eye out for it.

🌾 Johnson grass is a perennial grass that can grow up to 8 feet tall.
🌾 It has corn-like leaves with a prominent white midrib.
🌾 It has a large green to purplish spreading seed head.

To learn more about this species, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/Johnsongrass

To report invaisve species, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/report