by Jan Axelson, president of the Friends board
As we've reported previously, the Friends are donating $5,000 each to Madison Parks and Dane County Parks to pay for limited term employee (LTE) hours in restoration this year. This funding replaces our support for the discontinued Prairie Partner intern program.
We checked in with Paul Quinlan, Conservation Resources Supervisor for Madison Parks, to learn how the funding was being used at Cherokee Marsh and Meadow Ridge Conservation Parks.
Paul reports, "work accomplished with the donated funds has focused on invasive species control in prairies and woodlands, supporting prescribed gazing for brush control, sowing native seed, and maintaining trails. The major herbaceous weed targets have been reed canary grass and birds-foot trefoil. Sizeable areas have been sprayed and will be re-seeded with native species.
"This has really helped our program because we have been able to direct our regular operating budget to work at more parks and extend the total time that we have seasonal help available. We really appreciate it."
On Dane County land at Yahara Heights and the Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area, LTEs worked on garlic mustard, Japanese hedge parsley, and other invasives this spring and are now helping with seed collecting and other seasonal activities.
Our Cherokee Marsh Conservation Fund continues to support work in the Cherokee Marsh State Natural Area (SNA). Recent work there has included control of cattails that are invading the high-quality wetland plant communities.
Your donations support restoration work. We very much appreciate all who have donated to these efforts!
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