If we don’t do the work, it doesn’t get done. Government agencies focus on the essentials—trail safety and basic maintenance—but the Friends fill the critical gaps. We are the ones who raise the funds for large-scale seeding, mobilize the labor for invasive species removal, and provide the educational programming that connects our community to this watershed.
Volunteer Opportunities
We take on challenges large and small, requiring a wide range of skills and time commitments. View our event calendar to see current volunteer opportunities.
Ecological Restoration (Field Work)
Our restoration efforts are the heartbeat of the Conservancy. We work in partnership with City and County staff to manage vegetation across diverse habitats.
- Invasive Species Management: Clearing, cutting, and grubbing to remove persistent invasive trees and shrubs.
- Seeding & Planting: Assisting with high-impact projects like the 160-acre “Platinum Prairie” restoration.
- Prescribed Burns: Supporting managed burns to maintain the health of our prairie and savanna parcels.
Education & Community Outreach
We provide the “outdoor classroom” that public agencies are not equipped to staff alone.
- Youth Education: Assisting our Education Coordinator with high school and middle school field-service days.
- Conservancy Days: Helping organize and run our signature community engagement events.
- Citizen Science: Participating in bird counts and animal surveys to help us track the impact of our restoration work.
Advocacy & Committee Leadership
As a volunteer-driven organization, we need strategic thinkers to help us navigate the challenges of land use and watershed protection.
- Strategic Planning: Contributing to the long-term roadmap for the Conservancy.
- Committee Service: Participate in action and leadership through one of our focused board committees.
- Public Advocacy: Representing the Conservancy’s interests in local government decisions regarding transportation, stormwater, and land-use.
Specialized Skills & Projects
Do you have technical expertise? We often need help with:
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- Technical Writing & Communication: Assisting with grant applications or community newsletters.
- Photography & Media: Documenting the seasonal changes and restoration progress within the Conservancy.
- Event Planning: Organizing and staffing events and other meetings.
Take Action Today
The health of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy depends on the engagement of people like you. View our calendar of events for upcoming volunteer opportunities, and complete the form below to share your interests; a member of our team will reach out to match you with a current project.
WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE OF YOU
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. It’s through generous contributions of our members that our restoration, education and advocacy work are possible.
WAYS TO GIVE
- Become a Sustaining Member
- Become an Annual Member
- Become a Business Member
- Donate to our Restoration Endowment
- Donate to our Glen and Joan Pulver Education Endowment
- Make the Friends of Pheasant Branch part of your legacy
- Make a designated gift in someone’s memory or honor
Charitable IRA Donations
The charitable IRA (Individual Retirement Account) rollover, or qualified charitable distribution, is a direct transfer of funds from a Traditional IRA account to a qualified charity. These charitable distributions can be excluded from your taxable income – and count toward your required minimum distribution – so long as certain rules are met. To make a Qualified Charitable Donation to the Friends, contact your IRA plan administrator and provide Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy name, address: P.O. Box 628242 Middleton WI 53562 and Federal Tax ID# EIN: 39-1838491.