Tree & Brush Workday at Walking Iron 

During these winter workdays, staff and volunteers work to restore oak savannas, oak woodlands, and other lands by cutting, treating, and removing invasive brush (e.g. honeysuckle, buckthorn) and trees (e.g. black locust, boxelder) that stifle the growth of native vegetation. We start with a group briefing and then break up into a sawyer/hauler pair to work in smaller sections of our restoration sites. We take break as a group around 10:30 to enjoy snacks and each other's company, enjoy the warmth of a brush pile fire (if snow is present) and assess how everyone is doing and if we need to change up tasks. View our Tree & Brush Removal webpage here for more information.

• Sawyers will operate chainsaws to cut brush and various sizes of trees. If you are a new sawyer with us, we may assess your ability with a chainsaw and assign you to a cutting site best suited for your skill level.  *** Sawyers are unable to register for this activity unless they are chainsaw certified***

Required Qualifications: DCP Chainsaw Certification

• • To submit proof of certification: click "Additional Information" under your profile.
  • To view current qualifications: click "Qualifications" under your profile. 
    

Location:

Walking Iron County Park - Beckman Rd. entrance

6064 Beckman Rd., Mazomanie 53560 

• There's a small gravel parking lot off of Beckman Road with a Walking Iron County Park sign. Volunteers can drive through the open gate and down the grassy road leading into the park to meet us in the field near the park's information kiosk, or feel free to park in the gravel lot and walk down.
• We begin promptly at 9am, those arriving late can call Lars or Shane to get to directions to our working area.
  
  

How to Prepare: 

What to Know:

• All necessary materials are provided for workdays. Sawyers should bring their own chainsaws, but extra chainsaws are often available; message Natural Areas staff prior to workday to confirm.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hearing and eye protection is provided for those without their own.
  • Oil/gas mix and bar oil is provided.
• A refresher on chainsaw safety is provided, and staff are happy to offer additional tips and tricks/ additional training as needed. 
• In case of cancellation due to weather, a notification will be made via email and phone to participants who have signed up.

What to Bring:

• Bring drinking water and a snack. This work can be difficult if you don't fuel correctly! Our staff will provide a water cooler for refilling water bottles and a folding table. You are welcome to bring a snack to share if you'd like.

What to Wear: 

• Sawyer PPE: chaps, helmet, safety glasses, leather glovers, and leather boots that cover the ankle.
• Participants should be ready to work in winter conditions and should dress for the weather (thick socks, layers, etc.), wear non-synthetic clothing (wool, cotton canvas, etc.) that you don't mind dirtying or getting holes in. If there is snow we will likely be burning brush piles and there will be embers that may catch on your clothing. 

Accessibility:

• Volunteers should be comfortable with walking on uneven terrain and operating a chainsaw safely (starting the saw, lifting the saw, carrying the saw, and cutting with it).
• Bathroom availability is limited at these workdays. View the Open Restrooms webpage for more information. If there is no bathroom at a workday site, either use one before the workday or search nearby public locations. 

Questions?

• Lars Higdon, Botanist/Naturalist
• (608) 286-9497 higdon.lars@danecounty.gov
• Shane Otto, Botanist/Naturalist
• (608) 575-0396 otto.shane@danecounty.gov
• Leah Kleiman, Land Restoration Specialist
• (608) 843-1863 kleiman.leah@danecounty.gov