By Carl Sinderbrand, Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Board Member
One of the guiding principles of the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy is citizen science: the exploration, management, and appreciation of nature through member participation. The Friends offer a wide variety of opportunities throughout the year to volunteer and participate in the work of restoring, maintaining, and learning about this amazing resource. Just a small sample of these activities include:
- Volunteer workdays, including planting and harvesting seeds and removing buckthorn, honeysuckle, and other invasive plant species
- Birding walks
- Assisting in our native plants propagation garden
- Monarch butterfly tagging in late summer
- Special events for those with mobility or other accessibility issues
Additionally, the Friends collaborate with the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District to offer environmental and conservation programs for elementary, middle and high school students, and we’re looking for volunteers to assist in these programs. And we sponsor widely popular bimonthly Conservancy Days presentations at the Middleton Public Library.
All these programs, and others, are listed on the Friends website, with sign-up links where appropriate. So please check the website periodically for upcoming events.
Studies have shown that there are significant psychological and physiological benefits to engaging in nature. Whether you’re 8 or 80, in between or beyond, are looking to get your hands dirty, learn about native wildlife, or just enjoy the opportunity to share some time with like-minded nature enthusiasts, the Friends have a program for you.
Learn more about volunteering here.