Friends Projects in the Preserve

Projects are funded by Friends and carried out with Friends volunteer labor in coordination with Preserve staff.
Intern program
Engineering Capstone
     Project
Fundraiser for Eagle  
     Heights Woods
Frautschi Point
     Planting
Marsh Audio Trail
Biocore Prairie Bird
      Observatory
Heritage Oak Project
Bill's Wood Restoration
Big Oak Project
Savanna Edge Project
Bird Project

Friends Summer Interns

The Friends have supported summer interns in the Preserve since 2007. The Friends  provide funds to support five Interns for twelve weeks during the summer, 1.5 days per week, to do restoration fieldwork in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. On their days at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Preserve staff supervises the Interns and their activities. They are introduced to evolving ecological topics, land management considerations, and restoration tools. The Friends offer an active education program for the Interns. Experts from the campus community join the crew for an hour to discuss environmental topics ranging from bird banding to Native American mound building cultures to geology and forest ecology. 

Participating Prairie Partners groups are: Friends of Pheasant Branch, Madison Audubon Society, Groundswell Conservancy, and Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.  Prairie Partners funds are administered by  the Madison Audubon Society. 

Much of the iInterns work involves control of invasive plant species. In 2013 they assisted Preserve staff install two formal native gardens – one around the newly installed kiosk at the Frautschi Point parking lot, and a second rain garden near the entrance to Picnic Point. They also prepped and overseeded a savanna mix at Willow Creek Woods in the footprint of the former Trachte sheds and driveway.The Interns also enjoyed a tour of Lake Mendota aboard the Limnos, the Department of Limnology’s research vessel, with emeritus professor of Limnology, John Magnuson, as guide. 

For inquiries and application deadlines, contact the Friends
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2016 Interns. Educational seminar at the UW Archives
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2015 Interns
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2014 Interns. Educational seminar on the Limnos, Lake Mendota
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2013 interns

Spring Planting Project 2019 along the new Path from Frautschi Point

Planting along the wooded path at the Frautschi Point entrance to the Preserve will introduce wildflowers and grasses and sedges to the area. The lovely path connects from the parking lot to the Biocore prairie. The sixth planting area was the wildflower patch at the kiosk (parking lot).

Spring Planting 2013-14-15-16  and Plant Survey in 2017

Picture2015 Planting
About 1500 wildflowers and grasses were planted in May 2015 and 2016 in a large triangle bordered by Frautschi Point path at Sedge Point and the path coming down to the Lake from Frautschi Point Parking Lot. This project continues the spring planting tradition that began with the Harriet riley Planting project in 2013-14. More than 20 volunteers and Preserve staff participated. Friends provided the funding for purchasing plants and for greenhouse use, where Glenda Denniston raised several trays of woodland flowers from seeds. See a photos of the event under 2015 and 2016 People & Events. Complete lists of plants is provided for 2015 and for 2016. 
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2014 Planting party
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2014 Planting party

Fundraiser for Eagle Heights Woods 5-year Rejuvenation Project - 2015

PictureEagle Height viewed from the west. Photo Kutzbach
The Friends are immensely pleased to provide the essential financial investment to rejuvenate Eagle Heights Woods over a period of 5 years beginning in 2014. We are fortunate to have loyal and generous members and supporters of the Preserve, who contributed over $140,000 to make possible this essential project. 

In fall 2014, the co-chairs of the Friends Fundraising Committee, Sue Denholm, Peter Fisher and Gisela Kutzbach, developed a strategic plan and coordinated efforts with Preserve staff and the UW Foundation.  Throughout spring of 2015, a Friends team of communicators, graphic designers, networkers, visionaries and organizers worked enthusiastically and successfully toward the goal. The total amount was raised by fall 2015. Thank you all for this amazing effort.
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Your support of the Eagle Heights Woods project will bring positive, lasting results:
  • Protect the Native American mounds by removing invasive vegetation and realigning adjacent trails
  • Remove hazard trees along the trails and over the mounds to protect both visitors and burial sites
  • Enhance views to Lake Mendota
  • Encourage the growth of native trees and wildflowers by removing invasive plants
  • Increase plant diversity and improve wildlife habitat by planting grasses, wildflowers and shrubs
  • Refurbish trails with carefully planned, mulched footpaths
  • Realign steep, eroded trails to reduce washouts and improve footing
  • Provide ongoing monitoring and management of vegetation to promote biological health of the area

Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory

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Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory
The Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory is an all-volunteer operation that monitors bird populations in the Preserve, above Picnic Point.  We welcome volunteers of all skill levels, and will teach volunteers how to band birds. Banding offers a wonderful opportunity for people to see birds up close, learn about their migration and nesting patterns, and understand how natural areas enhance their biological success. The Observatory provides opportunities for students to do research projects in the summer, and for individuals to use as a research resource. 

Objectives of the Project:
1.  To follow changes in the bird species composition with changes in prairie restoration.
2.  To provide a research and teaching resource for natural history studies utilizing live animals.
3.  To collaborate with Dr. Janet Huie, Carthage College, on collection of ticks associated with Lyme Disease.
Volunteers usually band birds at least one morning each weekend, weather permitting (above 50 degrees, no precipitation), from late March-April through early November.  Each bird is caught in a mist net, carefully removed, measured (weight, age, sex, and a variety of other measurements), banded and released. 
PictureYushi Oguchi, Jackie Sandberg, Josh Seibel. Photo Lesley Haven
Jaqueline Sandberg is currently the volunteer coordinator for the Bird Observatory. She is assisted by sub-permittees Josh Seibel and Yushi Oguchi. Other volunteers join them every Saturday morning for banding in summer, as weather permits. Prof. Mark Berres of the UW Madison is Director of the Observatory. 

Between 2001 and 2006, more than 1394 birds of 70+ species were netted.  The most commonly banded species were Song Sparrow (184; 15.2 % recapture rate), White-throated Sparrow (158; 7.6%), Gray Catbird (117; 12.8%), American Goldfinch (109; 3.7%) and Chipping Sparrows (63; 1.6%).  Fourteen species of warblers, including Connecticut and Mourning, and 11 species of Sparrows, including Lincoln’s (20), White-crowned (4) and Fox (4) were banded.  

The Bird Observatory was founded by Mara McDonald. For more details on the Observatory click HERE.

Class of 1918 Marsh Audio Field Trip Project

The Stanley Dodson audio field trip is intended to make a visit to the Class of 1918 Marsh a memorable learning experience about the marsh, its formation, history, its ecological services, and the plants and animals that live there. The audios are a fitting memorial to Stanley Dodson, an aquatic ecologist at UW-Madison, who used the marsh as a teaching tool and was unusually effective in interacting with students. The activity was supported by donations from students, colleagues, and friends in memory of Stanley Dodson when he died in 2009.

Beloved Professor Stanley Dodson, who was such a mentor, was a Professor of Zoology from whom students loved to learn. He used small ponds and the Madison lakes to explain the interactions between us and the waters of Wisconsin. He marveled at the complexities of nature and had the ability to explain them.

The audio field trip at the Class of 1918 Marsh is a project of the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve developed in close collaboration with the Staff of the Preserve. John Magnuson, Emeritus Professor of Zoology and Limnology led the project, and 13 knowledgeable volunteers wrote and edited the stories and messages; Brenna Jones volunteered her voice and Rob Haggar of Haggar Audio Productions donated his time and facilities for the recordings. The project is one of the ways that the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and its friends bring nature to the campus and the community.
Funding was provided by friends and colleagues who donated to the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve in memory of Stanley Dodson
Project Lead:  John J. Magnuson
Writers and Editors:
Robert Bohanan       Cathie Bruner      Quentin Carpenter
Ginny Dodson          Daniel Einstein    Adam Hinterthuer
Brenna Jones          Roma Lenehan    John Magnuson
Jenna Mertz            David Mickelson  Stanley Temple
Jeremiah Yahn
Voices    Brenna Jones     Daniel Einstein
Recordings
Rob Haggar (Haggar Audio Productions, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin)
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Harriet Riley Planting Project at Frautschi Point Trail

Almost 2000 woodland perennials were planted along the path from the entrance to the Preserve at Frautschi Point to the Big Oak. The planting took place on two Sundays, in May 2013 and May 2014. At each events almost 20 volunteers gathered to enjoy the planting and and the marry gatherings after the work was done. 

Longtime Madison resident and Friends member, Harriet Riley passed away August 16, 2012. Harriet loved long walks through the Preserve and was a dedicated volunteer towards improving the diversity of native plants throughout the Preserve. Harriet was one of the area's pioneer garlic mustard pullers. She was our membership chair for many years. At her family's request, donations in her memory have been directed to the Friends of the Lakeshore Preserve. The wish of Harriet’s son and daughter was that donated funds - about $2500 -  be used to purchase and plant native flowering plants where Harriet and her family walked and where Harriet and her friend, Glenda Denniston planted native flowers over the years. 

This Friends project augments the Preserve's plan for the Frautschi Point entrance by improving the diversity of native flowering, woodland plants along various walking paths that extend into the Frautschi Point area, as well as in Tent Colony Woods, and Bill’s Woods.  A complete plant list is provided here.   
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Planting from entrance to Big Oak trail
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2013 Frautschi Point trail planting

Heritage Oak Project

This Heritage Oak Project, begun in 2011, aims to connect the woodland (Bill’s Woods) and prairie (Biocore) by restoring the Bill's Woods Heritage Oak area to savanna, as specified in the Preserve Master Plan. Once completed this restoration will allow generations of students to study and the public to experience all three communities.

The magnificent Bur Oak southeast of the Physical Plant Storage area, the Heritage Oak and centerpiece of the project, once grew in the open, but in recent years it had been choked and shaded by fast growing trees and non-native shrubs. The Friends raised $13,000 to cover contractor costs for removal of larger undesirable trees around the oak and throughout the woods. Other money was spent on savanna plants and seeds. The earth berm that delimits the area toward the Physical Plant Storage area required repeated weeding and seeding treatments. Countless volunteer hours along with professional work by Preserve staff were required to plant and maintain this area. Improving and maintaining the area is an ongoing process. ALso see the Heritage Oak Fundraiser Brochure. This project was led by Gisela Kutzbach.

Bill's Woods Restoration Project – 2001 – present

2001 the Friends obtained a permit to work in the southeastern corner of Bill’s Woods by writing a detailed plan. This permit has been renewed several times by Glenda Denniston. The first job was to control the thousands of invasive shrubs, mostly Buckthorn. The next step was to add native plants and understory trees and shrubs.

Upper Bill’s Woods was added to the project in 2003. It began as a rescue operation to repair an open area which had been used as a dump for gravel, mulch, rocks and other materials. After regarding and soil improvement, the area was seeded with native prairie. Woodland plants were established along the edges.

By 2014, Bill’s Woods has come a long way. New plants and seeds have been added at least yearly. Dappled shade has replaced heavy shade, wildflowers of many different types bloom prolifically in the spring, savanna plants thrive in the summer, and a diverse set of insects, birds, and other animals visit the area. This ongoing restoration project has been well documented by Glenda Denniston.  During the annual spring flower field trip, more than twenty wild flowers can be seen in bloom from one spot on the path at the top of the hill. 
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When walking in spring through Upper Bill's Woods, you can now see over 20 different species of wildflowers blooming on the same day. Enjoy the spring flower field trip in May !

Frautschi Point and Big Oak Project

The early efforts to improve the newly acquired Frautschi Point opened up the large open grown oak and created a view to the lake. Prairie seeds in the driveway “triangle.” The Big Oak Trail, a new trail built in 2004 by Glenda Denniston with the aid of students, connected the two big open grown oaks and formed a loop through the eastern portion of the property. The oak woods itself was choked with Buckthorn, forming an impenetrable thicket that created dense shade. Due to the shade, few desirable ground layer plants grew, but Garlic Mustard thrived. Slowly, despite an explosion of Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard, the diversity of the woods was restored.

Under staff supervision, Glenda Denniston and volunteers cleared the non-native brush along the Big Oak Trail and the two big open grown oaks and the nearby gully. 

Savanna Edge Project

The savanna edge along the field edge and gully is another rapidly evolving restoration. Initially this area was a wall of brush so thick that the second big oak could not be found in the summer. Clearing by the ROTC on their volunteer work days and by other volunteers opened up the gully and revealed the oaks along the fence line. Glenda Denniston’s intensive weed control and planting in the gully has significantly slowed the water and decreased the erosion in the upper gully. In addition, the native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife. Glenda Denniston and her volunteers have planted Bur Oaks and other native plants in some areas along the field edge.
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The Savanna edge runs between the woods of Frautschi Point and the Biocore Prairie.

Lakeshore Nature Preserve Bird Project    

The Bird Study Project was initiated by Roma Lenehan in 1999, with the purpose to identify the bird species and their seasonal abundance in the Preserve as well as their microhabitat preferences. The study created a base line to allow the detection of bird population changes within the Preserve. Thus students and scientists will now be able to determine how the restoration of the Preserve affects the bird populations.

The work of Roma Lenehan, assisted by Glenda Denniston, resulted in a comprehensive Bird Checklist of 255 birds. From 2000-2002, they conducted a Breeding Bird Survey, which continues today. Beginning in 2001, Mara McDonald developed the Bird Banding Project at the Biocore Prairie Bird Observatory.

After being nominated by Roma Lenehan in 2007, the Preserve became one of Wisconsin’s smallest Important Bird Areas based on its neotropical song bird migration and its historical and continuing bird research, education, and monitoring.

​Most recently, Roma Lenehan completed a comprehensive Breeding Bird Study in the Preserve for the years 2013-2015
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Common Yellowthroat. Photo Arlene Koziol

Engineering Capstone Project -2016

Friends-sponsored Students are busy at work on an engineering design project in the Preserve. They are developing practical designs for mitigating stormwater erosion along the corridor between the Eagle Heights Community Gardens and Bill’s Woods. As part of this project, the design team seeks to decrease nutrient transport from the gardens composting areas and increase infiltration within the study area. The student proposal project was completed in May 2016. You can learn more about the Capstone Partnership here: http://www.engr.wisc.edu/cee/cee-capstone-partnership.html
​and on our Blog . A mock Request-for-Proposal (RFP), which provides some background about the Preserve and identifies the main problem (i.e., erosion and nutrient transport south of the gardens and down through Bill’s Woods), was prepared by Board member Mike Parsen. The Friends had approved funding of $1000 ​to help defray the costs of the students work. The Design Team presented their Final Design and Drawings at the Friends May Board meeting. 
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Back: Jack Brody, Patrick Heiman, Kelley Korinek, Front: Tom Jauquet, Maria Kealey (project manager), Drew Davis