Opportunities From: City of Madison Volunteering

Join a friendly community workday focused on caring for our natural areas. Volunteers will help pick up litter to keep trails and open spaces clean for future restoration projects. No experience is required. Guidance and training will be provided at check in.

Responsibilities
Follow instructions from the workday lead
Collect and bag litter from paths and natural areas
Return tools and supplies to the check in area at the end of the session

Qualifications
Comfort working outdoors on uneven ground
Ability to bend, reach, and walk short distances
Youth are welcome with a parent or guardian

Additional Notes
Wear closed toe shoes, long pants, and weather appropriate layers
Bring a filled water bottle and work gloves if you have them
We will provide equipment
This activity occurs off trail at times and may include light brushy areas 

Join us for a rewarding day outdoors as we work together to care for our beautiful parks. Under the guidance of our workday leader, you will collect seeds from native plants and assist with a variety of other seasonal tasks. No experience is necessary. We will provide instruction on plant identification, seed collection techniques, and how this work supports our restoration efforts. This activity may involve walking off trail and moving through tall vegetation. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and long sleeves and pants and bring work gloves.

What to bring:

We’ll provide all the tools you’ll need. Your efforts will help protect our natural spaces and create a healthier environment for everyone to enjoy. Come make a difference – we can’t wait to have you join us!

Canada Goldenrod has expanded quickly in this restoration site, and if left unchecked it can take over and push out other plants, reducing diversity. We’re organizing a volunteer effort to pull as many goldenrods as possible to keep the restoration balanced and healthy. This work makes a surprising difference—hand pulling can open space for a wide range of native plants and pollinator favorites.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Additional Notes

Join us for a workday focused on improving the prairie edge at Baxter Park. Volunteers will help remove invasive species like buckthorn and honeysuckle, along with other unwanted woody plants, to give native prairie plants more room to thrive. This project will open up airflow to reduce mosquito habitat and strengthen the overall ecosystem in the park.

Responsibilities

Cut or pull invasive brush and small woody plants

Assist with gathering and hauling brush to designated piles

Follow staff guidance on safe and effective removal techniques

Work as part of a team to support habitat restoration

Qualifications
No prior experience is necessary. Volunteers should be comfortable with outdoor physical activity such as cutting, pulling, or hauling brush. A willingness to learn and work with others is all that’s needed.

Additional Notes
Please wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and clothing suitable for outdoor work. Bring a water bottle, gloves, and loppers if you have them. Extra gloves and tools will be provided for those who need them.

Planting Volunteer Workdays

Join us in enhancing our parks' natural beauty and supporting local biodiversity through native plantings. As a Planting Volunteer, you'll play a vital role in restoring and maintaining our natural landscapes.

Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

Additional Notes:
All necessary tools and plants will be provided. Volunteers should wear sturdy footwear, dress for the weather, and bring gardening gloves if available. Please check in with Parks staff or a lead volunteer for specific planting areas and instructions.

Location:

Join Madison Parks and Friends of Cherokee Marsh for a large-scale seed collection event. Volunteers will help support the City’s ecological restoration efforts by collecting seeds from native plants in a single, focused session. This event is ideal for volunteers who enjoy hands-on work, exploring a natural area, and contributing to the long-term health and diversity of Madison’s parks.

Responsibilities:

Collect seeds from designated native plants during the scheduled event.

Follow guidance on target species, collection methods, and timing to ensure seed viability.

Record collection information, including species, quantity, and location, if assigned.

Return collected seeds to volunteer leads at the end of the event.

Work safely and respectfully within the park alongside other volunteers.

Qualifications:

Interest in native plants, ecology, or conservation.

Ability to participate for the full duration of the event.

Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Willingness to handle seeds carefully and follow collection instructions.

Previous experience with native plant identification or seed collection is a plus but not required.

Additional Notes:

Location Note

Meet in lower parking area, 5898 N. Sherman Ave.  just after the road change to gravel.

Join Madison Parks and Friends of Cherokee Marsh for a large-scale seed collection event. Volunteers will help support the City’s ecological restoration efforts by collecting seeds from native plants in a single, focused session. This event is ideal for volunteers who enjoy hands-on work, exploring a natural area, and contributing to the long-term health and diversity of Madison’s parks.

Responsibilities:

Collect seeds from designated native plants during the scheduled event.

Follow guidance on target species, collection methods, and timing to ensure seed viability.

Record collection information, including species, quantity, and location, if assigned.

Return collected seeds to volunteer leads at the end of the event.

Work safely and respectfully within the park alongside other volunteers.

Qualifications:

Interest in native plants, ecology, or conservation.

Ability to participate for the full duration of the event.

Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Willingness to handle seeds carefully and follow collection instructions.

Previous experience with native plant identification or seed collection is a plus but not required.

Additional Notes:

Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring water, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.

Lead volunteers will provide guidance on species, collection methods, and safety protocols at the start of the event.

Location Note

Meet in upper lot, 6098 N. Sherman Ave.  Will collect west of entrance road.

Planting Volunteer Workdays

Join us in enhancing our parks' natural beauty and supporting local biodiversity through native plantings. As a Planing Volunteer, you'll play a vital role in restoring and maintaining our natural landscapes.

Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

Additional Notes:
All necessary tools and plants will be provided. Volunteers should wear sturdy footwear, dress for the weather, and bring gardening gloves if available. Please check in with Parks staff or a lead volunteer for specific planting areas and instructions.

Location Note:

We'll be meeting at the Rainbow Shelter at 12pm.  Rainbow shelter is located at the end of the parking lot. 

Seed Collection Volunteers help support Madison Parks’ ecological restoration efforts by collecting seeds from native plants throughout the city. Volunteers will visit various parks to collect seeds from woodland species, rare or less common plants, and other target species as they become ready. This role is ideal for volunteers who enjoy independent work, exploring different habitats, and contributing to the long-term health and diversity of Madison’s natural areas.

Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

Additional Notes:

As a Dog Park Steward, you’ll help ensure that our community dog parks remain clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. While dog owners are encouraged to clean up after their pets, some may forget. Your role will be to maintain the cleanliness of the park, ensuring a welcoming environment for all visitors.

Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

Additional Info:

The Park Toy Coordinator is responsible for gathering and organizing toys left at Newberry Park, ensuring they are kept in a designated area (behind the bench next to the playground). This role includes inspecting for broken or unsafe toys and removing them to keep the park safe. Each coordinator leads efforts at their assigned park and may recruit volunteers to assist.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Additional Notes

The Park Toy Coordinator is responsible for gathering and organizing toys left at Lucia Crest Park, ensuring they are kept in a designated area (bin near the volleyball court). This role includes inspecting for broken or unsafe toys and removing them to keep the park safe. Each coordinator leads efforts at their assigned park and may recruit volunteers to assist.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Additional Notes

Each April, under a permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison Parks staff and trained volunteers participate in Canada Goose egg oiling efforts on City property. Volunteers help locate nests and apply corn oil to eggs—a humane and approved method that prevents the eggs from developing and hatching. This population control technique is a key part of our long-term Canada Goose Management Program and helps reduce the environmental impacts of overpopulation in our parks.

This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who are comfortable working outdoors in early spring conditions and willing to complete a brief training prior to participating.

Responsibilities

·         Participate in a brief training session prior to fieldwork

·         Travel to designated park sites in coordination with Parks staff

·         Locate Canada Goose nests in natural areas

·         Carefully apply corn oil to eggs using approved methods

·         Record data as needed and report nest locations and outcomes

·         Follow safety and ethical guidelines while working around wildlife

Qualifications

·         Willingness to work in outdoor spring conditions (rain, mud, cold)

·         Ability to walk on uneven, wet, or muddy terrain

·         Comfortable around geese and able to follow wildlife-safe practices

·         Must complete required training

·         Available for scheduled site visits throughout April

·         Must be 18 or older (or accompanied by an adult if under 18)

Additional Notes

·         Most nesting sites are accessible on foot; rubber boots or waders are recommended

·         Opportunities are also available for avid paddlers to reach select sites via personal watercraft (e.g., kayak, canoe, SUP)

·         Volunteers will be contacted to coordinate dates and site assignments in early spring

·         All work is conducted under a DNR permit and with oversight from trained staff

Help Blair Street Gardens thrive!  Volunteer for a few hours Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. October 4 and/or November 1.  On November 1 we'll also be holding a tutorial on how to prune evergreens and topiary 

We have two gardens on city property at or near the intersection of Williamson Street and John Nolen Drive.   The Gateway Garden is on Willy Street across from Machinery Row.  Wilson Green is on E. Wilson Street toward the Capitol across from The Cardinal Bar.  We are looking for volunteers to mulch, weed, prune and pick-up litter.  Both gardens are maintained entirely by volunteers. 

Check out our website at www.blairstreetgardens.org or our Facebook or Instagram pages for more info about the gardens.  

Join the Warner Park Volunteer Crew!

Help keep one of Madison’s largest and most beloved parks clean and beautiful! Each month, volunteers come together at Warner Park to pick up litter, improve the natural spaces, and make the park more enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re passionate about protecting our environment or just looking for a great way to give back to the community, this is a simple but impactful way to make a difference.

What to Expect:

Collect trash along trails, open spaces, and high-use areas

Seasonal projects will include invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and other related tasks as neededMeet other community members who care about our parks

Enjoy the fresh air while making a visible impact

Meet Spot:

Look for the volunteer supply table at or near the Rainbow Shelter (big shelter near playground)

No experience needed—just bring your energy and willingness to help! Supplies like gloves, grabbers, and bags are provided.

Join us and be part of keeping Warner Park a clean, welcoming place for all!  This is a recurring opportunity during warmer weather months for the 3rd Sat of each month.

Become a Volunteer Community Science Bird Monitor!

Do you love nature and want to make a real impact? We need volunteers to help monitor Bluebird Trail Boxes and Martin Houses across Madison parks! As a Community Science Bird Monitor, you’ll be involved in weekly monitoring from April to September to help protect and track bird populations.

What You’ll Do:

What We Provide:

We Need Monitors at the Following Locations:

Bluebird Trail Locations (Primary or Backup Monitors Needed):

Martin House Locations (Primary or Backup Monitors Needed):

Get Involved: We’re also looking for volunteers who are flexible and willing to help fill in where needed. Whether you’re a first-time volunteer or a seasoned community scientist, your support will make a difference in helping our bird populations thrive!

Interested in volunteering? Register for this opportunity and a volunteer lead will contact you about location and set up an in-person training/walkthrough for your first time.

Join the Elver Park Cleanup Crew!

Help keep one of Madison’s largest and most beloved parks clean and beautiful! Each month, volunteers come together at Elver Park to pick up litter, improve the natural spaces, and make the park more enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re passionate about protecting our environment or just looking for a great way to give back to the community, this is a simple but impactful way to make a difference.

What to Expect:

Collect trash along trails, open spaces, and high-use areas

Meet other community members who care about our parks

Enjoy the fresh air while making a visible impact

Meet Spot:

Look for the volunteer supply table by the path between the parking lot and the playground.  Here is a map for the meet spot.

No experience needed—just bring your energy and willingness to help! Supplies like gloves and bags are provided.

Join us and be part of keeping Elver Park a clean, welcoming place for all!

Picking up trash along the Monona Bay Shoreline and in Brittingham Park.

Flower Gardener Expectations

Long-term commitment: Volunteer Flower Gardeners must agree to planting and long-term upkeep of the flower garden in a public park. The Parks maintenance staff will not assume responsibility for the flower garden if a volunteer relinquishes their duties.

Maintenance Plan: Volunteers are responsible for all garden maintenance, including site preparation, planting, watering, weeding, mulching, and litter removal.

Water Source: If there is no water source near the flower garden, the volunteer is responsible for hauling water to the site.

Proposals: Each year, volunteers submit a plan and plant order for their garden, which is subject to review and approval by Parks Division staff. Volunteer Flower Gardeners have been maintaining beautiful and colorful gardens in our community since 1986, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to enhancing Madison’s parks.

Important Dates:

Take charge of organizing and leading monthly park cleanups in one of Madison’s beautiful green spaces. You'll rally volunteers, lead the charge in ensuring the cleanup is efficient and fun, and help keep our parks sparkling for the community.

Responsibilities:

Optional:

Take charge of organizing and leading monthly park cleanups in one of Madison’s beautiful green spaces. You'll rally volunteers, lead the charge in ensuring the cleanup is efficient and fun, and help keep our parks sparkling for the community.

Responsibilities:

Optional:

Take charge of organizing and leading monthly park cleanups in one of Madison’s beautiful green spaces. You'll rally volunteers, lead the charge in ensuring the cleanup is efficient and fun, and help keep our parks sparkling for the community.

Responsibilities:

Optional:

Take charge of organizing and leading monthly park cleanups in one of Madison’s beautiful green spaces. You'll rally volunteers, lead the charge in ensuring the cleanup is efficient and fun, and help keep our parks sparkling for the community.

Responsibilities:

Optional:

Take charge of organizing and leading monthly park cleanups in one of Madison’s beautiful green spaces. You'll rally volunteers, lead the charge in ensuring the cleanup is efficient and fun, and help keep our parks sparkling for the community.

Responsibilities:

Optional: