Parks, Land & Water Volunteer Portal

Tree & Brush Workday at Lake View Hill

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: 

Lake View Hill Park, 1202 Northport Dr, Madison, WI 53704

• Meet in the parking lot area west of the Dane County Human Services building (off the main drive as you approach the building from Northport). Look for the kiosk marking the trailhead. 

Arrive by 8:50 AM to get briefed on project as a group, we start promptly at 9. Locations listed are meeting places, those arriving late may not find us. Call Lars, Shane, or Leah if needed.

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. 
• Bring drinking water and a snack. This work can be difficult if you don't fuel correctly!
• In case of cancellation due to weather, a notification will be made via email and phone to participants who have signed up.

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).
• Our department is committed to providing meaningful access to our programs and resources to all individuals, regardless of primary language or ability. If you need language assistance services or an accessibility modification for this program, please email parksvolunteer@danecounty.gov a minimum of 10 business days before the program to make the request. Please note, it is not possible for all programs to be modified.
• 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: Dane County Parks
  • (608) 286-9497 higdon.lars@danecounty.gov

• Shane Otto, Botanist/Naturalist: Dane County Parks
  • (608) 575-0396 otto.shane@danecounty.gov

• Leah Kleiman, Land Restoration Specialist
  • (608) 843-1863 kleiman.leah@danecounty.gov