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Julie Raasch

BMAP Work Parties

"Many hands make light work."

Join or Host a BMAP Work Party! Get hands-on experience in the work of habitat restoration.

2023 Work Party Schedule

Work Party Calendar

BMAP Work Parties are an opportunity to contribute your time and energy to on-the-ground work of habitat restoration. Unite your efforts with a team of BMAP Members to complete a project on your own or on other BMAP Member properties. This is a great opportunity to learn about or to share your knowledge of the varied practices of land stewardship through hands-on experience.

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There are two different ways to participate in our BMAP Work Parties: as a Host or as a Volunteer. Read through the Work Party details below to learn more on how you can get involved.

  • Walk with a Naturalist - Spring Green Preserve
    Sat, May 11
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Sauk County, Angelo Ln, Spring Green, WI 53588, USA
    May 11, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Sauk County, Angelo Ln, Spring Green, WI 53588, USA
    Join BMAP as we tour the sandy, dry communities found in the Wisconsin River Valley
  • Property Tour - Jerome and Jackie Helmenstine
    Sat, Jun 08
    Jun 08, 2024, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT
    Blue Mounds, 4785 Co Rd FF, Blue Mounds, WI 53517, USA
    Jun 08, 2024, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT
    Blue Mounds, 4785 Co Rd FF, Blue Mounds, WI 53517, USA
    In the family since 1897, the Helmenstine's 305 acre homestead is an excellent example of how government policy and private land stewardship can work wonders for prairie and oak savanna habitat.
  • Walk with a Naturalist - Shea Wetland
    Sat, Jun 22
    Jun 22, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Barneveld, 3095 Mounds View Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, USA
    Jun 22, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Barneveld, 3095 Mounds View Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, USA
    Join BMAP as we tour wetland and prairie habitats stewarded by The Prairie Enthusiasts!
  • Property Tour - Mary Michal
    Sat, Jul 13
    Jul 13, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Barneveld, 5216 Middle Earth Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, USA
    Jul 13, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Barneveld, 5216 Middle Earth Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, USA
    Come join us on a walk through 67 acres and 25 years of dry forest management, including some excellent examples of spring/seep habitats.
  • Property Tour - Taliesin
    Sat, Aug 10
    Aug 10, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Spring Green, 5607 County Rd C, Spring Green, WI 53588, USA
    Aug 10, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Spring Green, 5607 County Rd C, Spring Green, WI 53588, USA
    Come enjoy a hiking tour of the of the landscapes and natural communities surrounding Taliesin that inspired Frank Lloyd Wright! (Note: Walking tour excludes paid tours of Taliesin buildings)
  • Walk with a Naturalist - Lodi Marsh State Natural Area
    Sat, Sep 28
    Sep 28, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Lodi Marsh (Robertson Trailhead), Lodi, WI 53555, USA
    Sep 28, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Lodi Marsh (Robertson Trailhead), Lodi, WI 53555, USA
    Join BMAP as we tour a wide range of habitats incorporated within the Lodi Marsh State Natural Area
  • Natural Communities of Southwestern WI Class (2024)
    Date and Time: See Schedule
    Date and Time: See Schedule
    Locations: See Schedule
    Date and Time: See Schedule
    Locations: See Schedule
    This is an exclusive opportunity for BMAP and Botanical Club of WI members to work on plant ID, to become familiar with the plant communities of southwestern WI, and to learn in camaraderie. https://www.bluemounds.org/natural-community-class
  • Fostering Native Pollinators
    Thu, Mar 21
    Mar 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Mount Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
    Mar 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Mount Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
    Presented by Susan Carpenter, Native Plant Garden Curator, UW-Madison Arboretum
  • The State of Invasive Species in Wisconsin
    Thu, Feb 29
    Feb 29, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Mount Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
    Feb 29, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Mount Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
    Presented by Matt Wallrath, Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin First Detector Network
  • Spongy Moth 2024: What to expect and management advice
    Thu, Feb 15
    Feb 15, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Mount Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
    Feb 15, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Mount Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
    Presented by Michael Hillstrom, Forest Health Specialist with the Wisconsin DNR
  • Property Tour - Kahl Halfway Prairie Park
    Sat, Sep 23
    Sep 23, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Town of Berry Town Hall, 9046 WI-19, Mazomanie, WI 53560, USA
    Sep 23, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Town of Berry Town Hall, 9046 WI-19, Mazomanie, WI 53560, USA
    Owned and managed by the Town of Berry, Kahl Halfway Prairie Park is a multi-use park with a prairie planting, wetland habitat and a scrape pond for waterfowl.
  • 2023 Potluck Picnic
    Sat, Sep 09
    Sep 09, 2023, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Indian Lake County Park, 8183 WI-19, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA
    Sep 09, 2023, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Indian Lake County Park, 8183 WI-19, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA
    Join us for BMAP’s annual end-of-summer Potluck Picnic and Bur Oak Award Presentation at Indian Lake County Park.!
  • Walk with a Naturalist - Rare Earth Farm
    Sat, Aug 26
    Aug 26, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Blanchardville, N9075 York Center Rd, Blanchardville, WI 53516, USA
    Aug 26, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Blanchardville, N9075 York Center Rd, Blanchardville, WI 53516, USA
    Take a midsummer tour of oak savanna and woodland at Rare Earth Farm!
  • Property Tour - John and Darla Patterson
    Sat, Jul 15
    Jul 15, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    8149 Sweeney Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, USA
    Jul 15, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    8149 Sweeney Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, USA
    Enjoy a tour of their property, which has now been under their care for eight years and includes restored oak savannas and oak forests, lovely pine relicts, a converted pasture and a ridge with incredible views of the Driftless Area.
  • Multiple Dates
    BMAP Work Party (Host site chosen, volunteers needed!)
    Sat, Jun 24
    Jun 24, 2023, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Mineral Point, 636 Lost Grove Rd, Mineral Point, WI 53565, USA
    Jun 24, 2023, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Mineral Point, 636 Lost Grove Rd, Mineral Point, WI 53565, USA
    Join us to help a fellow member with their restoration efforts!
  • Walk with a Naturalist - UW-Madison Arboretum
    Wed, Jun 21
    Jun 21, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM CDT
    UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
    Jun 21, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM CDT
    UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
    The Arboretum is the birthplace of the study of ecological restoration and is still dedicated to research today. Walk through the world’s oldest planted prairie and into restored and remnant oak savannas.
  • Property Tour - Holy Wisdom Monastery’s Wisdom Prairie
    Wed, Jun 14
    Jun 14, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
    Jun 14, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
    Explore a restored landscape where ecological and spiritual renewal coexist. Holy Wisdom Monastery manages 191 acres of restored prairie, savanna and woodlands overlooking Lake Mendota.
  • Multiple Dates
    BMAP Work Party (Host chosen, volunteers needed!)
    Sat, May 20
    May 20, 2023, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Location is TBD
    May 20, 2023, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Location is TBD
    Join us to help a fellow BMAP member with their restoration activities!

Remember, you can check the event description in each Work Party for additional detail on what work will be accomplished, tools to bring along, and Host contact information. We've also created this handy BMAP Work Party: FAQs to help Volunteers and Hosts plan for a Work Party.

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Have any questions? Contact us at workparty@bluemounds.org

To JOIN a Work Party

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1.  Check the calendar for upcoming Work Parties and find one that fits your schedule.

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2.  RSVP by completing the form or by simply emailing workparty@bluemounds.org with the date(s) you'd like to attend.

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3.  Get it on your calendar! The host or our work party coordinator will contact you with further details prior to the day of the work party or notify you of any changes or cancellations.

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4. On the day of the Work Party, the Host will have you sign in (BMAP Work Party waiver). Then, to work!

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To HOST a Work Party

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Want to host a work party at your property? Just inquire with us at workparty@bluemounds.org and we'll get the process going!

Work Party Details

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  • Work Parties are organized, coordinated, and led by BMAP members on BMAP Member Properties.

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  • All BMAP Members are invited to join or host a Work Party. 

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  • Work is expected to be medium-intensity, suitable for most physical abilities, and will primarily fit into a few core stewardship categories:

    1. herbaceous control (e.g. garlic mustard pulling, parsnip control)

    2. native planting and seed collecting

    3. brush cutting and treating

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  • You are recommended to bring your own hand tools, though a Work Party Host may have some available.

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  • Power equipment and herbicide may be safely used, within limits, by the Host or Work Party volunteers with proper PPE and group spacing. However, no one is expected to use these tools. See our FAQs for more info.

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