The Friends of Stewart Park are making a big push to remove invasive brush (e.g. honeysuckle, buckthorn, autumn olive, etc.) and non-native trees (e.g. black locust) from the oak woodlands at Stewart Lake County Park!

What to bring:

Volunteers are needed to help remove these invasives using a variety of tools and to help haul and stack brush in piles to be burned this winter. Participants should be ready to work in winter conditions and should dress for the weather (thick socks, layers, etc.) in clothes you don’t mind working in and that are made of non-synthetic materials that won’t be melted by falling embers as we will likely be burning brush piles if conditions permit. Sturdy, waterproof shoes/ boots are highly recommended. Bring drinking water and work gloves.

Tools:

Tools such as loppers and hand saws will be provided, or volunteers can bring their own if they’d like. Other tools and needed materials will be provided. If volunteers have their own chainsaws and chainsaw-specific PPE, they are welcome to chainsaw at these workdays but must be familiar with using a saw and can work independently and safely. Chainsaw operators must be chainsaw-certified with the county – meaning they’ve been through a chainsaw safety training and have a signed Chainsaw Waiver and Volunteer Registration Form on file with Dane County Parks.

The Friends of Stewart Park are very active in the park on other days of the week. If you’re interested in helping with restoration work, but unable to make the scheduled workdays, you can reach out to Mary McDonough-Sutter via email: ( mcsutter@mhtc.net or through phone/txt: 608 332 5029 to coordinate working other days of the week.