We welcome your help to provide the care that the Lakeshore Nature Preserve needs to flourish. We will likely never have all the funds we need to accomplish the continuous work of stewardship for this very special and much-loved place. We are dependent on the generosity of those who give their time to care for it.

Volunteers contribute to the Preserve as individuals, as members of community groups, as students in classes, as groups of friends or family members, as academic units, and so on.
Visit the Preserve Events Calendar to see upcoming scheduled work parties. If you’re part of a group that would like to get involved with the Preserve please see Group Service Projects below.
While the Lakeshore Nature Preserve benefits from the work of volunteers, volunteers benefit too! Here are just some of the benefits you can reap by getting involved as a volunteer in the Preserve:
- Work in a beautiful and beloved landscape
- Learn about the natural world
- Meet new people or visit with old friends
- Get fresh air and exercise
- Satisfy class or service organization requirements
How Can I Volunteer?
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Drop-in Volunteer Work Parties
Attending work parties is a great way to enjoy the Lakeshore Nature Preserve while working with other volunteers to care for it. No pre-registration or prior experience is necessary. We welcome people from all backgrounds. Tools and gloves are provided. Work is performed off-trail on uneven ground and requires bending, stooping, and lifting.
Visit the Preserve Events Calendar to see upcoming scheduled work parties.
Tips for Volunteers:
- Tools and gloves provided.
- Long pants and closed-toe shoes required.
- See more information on How to Dress for volunteering.
- Work will take place outdoors, off trail, and on uneven terrain.
- Bring your own drinking water.
- Use the toilet before arriving. Toilet facilities are limited.
- Please arrive on-time as we will be walking from the meeting place to the work site.
Events are canceled in case of severe weather (thunderstorms, high winds, temps below 10F or above 100F) or if the ground is too wet, muddy, or snow-covered. To check if an event is canceled, text 608-220-5560 the morning of the event.
Group Service Projects
We welcome groups to help us care for the Preserve. The Preserve has benefited from the time and efforts of student organizations, church groups, youth groups, and UW classes. Groups service projects may include pulling or cutting invasive plants, collecting or sowing seed, planting, picking up trash, and maintaining trails.
If you would like to arrange a service project for your group please send an email to the Volunteer Coordinator. In your email please include the following information:
- Group name
- Number of volunteers
- Preferred month
- Preferred dates or day(s) of the week
- Preferred time of the day
Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at least 2 weeks in advance of your preferred dates. Unfortunately, due to limited resources we cannot accommodate all requests.
Tips for Group Service Project Volunteers
- Training, tools, and gloves are provided.
- Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. Please share How to Dress for Volunteering with your group members.
- Work will take place outdoors, off trail, and on uneven terrain.
- Please arrive on-time as we will be walking from the meeting place to the work site.
- Use the toilet before arriving. Toilet facilities are limited.
- Bring your own drinking water.
Events are canceled in case of severe weather (thunderstorms, high winds, temps below 10F or above 100F) or if the ground is too wet, muddy, or snow-covered. To check if an event is canceled, text 608-220-5560 the morning of the event. We are happy to try to reschedule group projects.
Volunteer Stewards
Volunteer Stewards are interested in committing at least one year to supporting the Preserve on a regular, on-going basis through an assigned position. We recruit volunteer stewards annually.
For more information please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteer Activities
Volunteers help keep the Preserve clean and safe, improve biological diversity, prevent erosion, and increase our knowledge to help improve land stewardship. Volunteer activities vary with the seasons and with our current land stewardship priorities. We work hard to make sure that volunteers are engaged in caring for the Preserve in ways that are meaningful to them while accomplishing needed work.
Volunteer tasks include but are not limited to:
- Pulling or cutting invasive plants like garlic mustard, buckthorn, and honeysuckle.
- Collecting or sowing native seed
- Planting native plugs
- Picking up trash
- Maintaining trails
Map and Directions to Meeting Places
One benefit to volunteering for the Lakeshore Nature Preserve (especially for students) is that we are on campus! Volunteer activities are performed throughout the 300-acre Lakeshore Nature Preserve, usually in easy biking or walking distance from the heart of campus or along the free 80 bus route.
Get a map and directions to meeting places.
Contact us about Volunteering
If you would like more information about volunteering in the Preserve, please contact:
Bryn Scriver
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
608-220-5560
bryn.scriver@wisc.edu