Join Friends of Cherokee Marsh for Aquatic Invasive Species Snapshot Day. Volunteers will meet at Warner Park for basic training before heading out in small groups to survey nearby streams, lakes, lagoons, and wetlands. No previous experience or special equipment is required. Professional biologists will evaluate collected samples, and confirmed invasive species will be documented to help guide future conservation and management efforts.
Responsibilities
- Attend a brief training at Warner Park.
- Travel with a small group to an assigned monitoring site.
- Search the water for aquatic plants and animals.
- Scoop, collect, and bag samples using provided equipment.
- Return samples for evaluation by professional biologists.
- Follow instructions from event leaders and site coordinators.
Qualifications
- No previous experience or training is required.
- Recommended for ages 8 and older.
- Volunteers younger than 18 must participate with an adult.
- Volunteers should be comfortable working near water and walking on potentially wet or uneven ground.
- Volunteers should be able to work cooperatively as part of a small group.
Additional Notes
- Volunteers will meet at Warner Park before traveling to assigned monitoring sites.
- Training and all monitoring equipment will be provided.
- Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear that can get wet or muddy.
- Early registration is encouraged so organizers can prepare enough supplies.
- Register at https://wav.extension.wisc.edu/events/aquatic-invasive-species-snapshot-day-2026 and select the Madison location. Additional instructions will be emailed after registration.
