Help lead the Friends
The Friends of Cherokee Marsh board of directors are volunteers elected by the members to plan and manage the activities of the group. We welcome new directors who have an interest in helping with our mission to protect, preserve, and restore Cherokee Marsh.
We're especially interested in folks who have skills or interest in any of these areas: working with volunteers, member communications and social media, working with children and schools, fundraising, public advocacy, and grant writing. But most important is enthusiasm and a willingness to help work toward our goals.
Our members elect directors at our annual meeting each January.
If you are interested in joining our board or finding out more about it, contact me at janaxelson@gmail.com, (608) 215-0426, or contact any other board member or come to one of our monthly meetings. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm either outdoors at the Warner Park rainbow shelter or in the Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Dr. Contact us to confirm time and location. All of our meetings are open to the public.
Jan Axelson, President
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State Senator Melissa Agard (fourth from left) and staff members joined us for a paddle on the upper Yahara River. We enjoyed the clear water, with great views to the bottom, and seeing the growth of native aquatic plants.
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Keep streets leaf-free for clean waters
More than 50% of the annual amount of phosphorus in urban stormwater can come from leaves in the street. When it rains, stormwater flows through leaf piles in streets creating a “leaf tea” that is rich in dissolved phosphorus. This leaf tea travels through storm sewers making its way to our lakes, rivers and streams. Too much phosphorus can lead to toxic algae blooms, low oxygen levels and green murky waters, none of which are good for animals living in the water or those of us who use it for recreation.
In the fall, timely removal of street leaf litter can reduce the amount of phosphorus in urban stormwater by 80% compared to no leaf removal. You can help by:
- Safely removing leaves from the street in front of your home before it rains.
- Following your community's guidelines for leaf collection or recycle leaves on your property. Many communities offer curbside leaf pick up or free access to yard waste drop off sites.
- Signing up to receive Leaf-free Streets Rain Alerts this fall (Oct. 1- Nov. 30). Alerts will be issued 1-2 days before a significant rain event reminding you that it's time to remove street leaves.
Learn more about leaf-free streets for clean waters.
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Upcoming events
Sign up to receive notices about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities including announcements for last-minute events and volunteer opportunities that don't make it into the newsletter.
See the full calendar for latest information.
Prairie seed collecting
Friday, Oct 7, 9 am – 12 noon
AND
Friday, Oct 14, 9 am – 12 noon
Yahara Heights Park, Caton Ln entrance.
5198 Caton Lane, Waunakee, WI 53597
map
Sign up
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toed shoes, and hat. Bring work gloves if you have them. Bring drinking water.
Sponsored by Dane County Parks and the Friends of Cherokee Marsh
Hayrides and hikes
Saturday, Oct 23, 1 – 4 pm
Check calendar at Cherokeemarsh.org to confirm date and time
Tour Cherokee Marsh on a tractor-pulled hay wagon, take a short guided hike, or do both!
Hayrides are $3/person (age 2 and under free) to offset the cost of Parks staff time. Volunteers from the Friends of Cherokee Marsh will lead free, short nature hikes.
No reservations needed. Show up any time from 1 pm to 3:30 pm for a hayride or a hike. Sponsored by Madison Parks and the Friends of Cherokee Marsh.
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit, 6098 N Sherman Ave. Follow N. Sherman Ave. north to the parking area at the end of the gravel road.
Help collect seeds in State Natural Areas
We are partnering with the DNR to collect seeds in nearby State Natural Areas on third Wednesdays and Thursdays in Aug, Sept, and Oct. Most of the sites are a little beyond the Cherokee Marsh watershed, but many of the seeds will be used to restore new prairie at the Westport Drumlin. Learn more and sign up.
Bird and nature adventures
Sun, Oct 3, 1:30 pm – 3 pm, Fall colors at Cherokee with arborist Sean Gere
Sun, Nov 7, 1:30 pm – 3 pm, Ice age geology with emeritus professor, geology and geophysics, David Mickelson
AND
first Sunday of EVERY month, year-round, ALWAYS 1:30 pm – 3 pm
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit, 6098 N Sherman Ave. Follow N. Sherman Ave. north to the parking area at the end of the gravel road.
Contact: Paul Noeldner, paul_noeldner@hotmail.com, 608-698-0104
Madison Parks bird and nature adventure page
Self-guided nature adventures
Get ideas for your own self-guided nature adventures at Cherokee Marsh and other locations.
tinyurl.com/selfguided-adventures
Board meetings
Wednesday, Oct 13, 5:30 – 7 pm
Wednesday, Nov 17, 5:30 – 7 pm
Our board of directors is responsible for planning, coordinating, communicating, and managing our activities. Everyone is welcome to attend board meetings. We've resumed in-person meetings at the Warner Park rainbow shelter or in the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Contact janaxelson@gmail.com to confirm location.
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