Opportunities From: City of Madison Volunteering

Brush Pile Burning

Help burn piles of brush we cut last winter. No experience needed. Dress for the weather. Wear old clothes. Natural fibers (cotton, wool) are best because synthetics can melt. Wear closed-toed footwear and work gloves or borrow gloves from us. Bring drinking water

Meet at Westport Meadows Park, 4338 Beilfuss Drive. Park on street. We'll be working in the wooded area to the NE. 

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Dates:

Thurs, Dec 11, 9 am - 12 noon
Thurs, Dec 18, 9 am - 12 noon

We may cancel a workday due to extreme cold, wind, or rain / snow.

 

Sponsored by the Friends of Cherokee Marsh with Madison Parks.

Please use the RSVP button or the link below to register for this event with Madison Parks. Please register for each of the events you will attend. This enables us to inform you of any changes or cancellations and also helps us in our planning and recording volunteer hours. You will need to create an account if you haven't done so. 
Questions? Contact janaxelson@gmail.com

 

Cleanup Volunteer
Help wrap up a fun evening by assisting with post-event cleanup at Family Winter Prom. Volunteers will work alongside staff to tidy up the space after the dance, ensuring Monona Terrace is left in great condition. This is a quick and easy way to support a popular family event.

Responsibilities
• Assist with taking down tables, signage, and decorations
• Collect and dispose of trash or recycling as directed
• Wipe down surfaces and gather any remaining supplies
• Help staff load bins or materials for transport
• Check the activity and photo areas for left items
• Follow directions from event leads to ensure a smooth and efficient cleanup

Qualifications
• Comfortable doing light physical tasks such as bending, lifting, or moving supplies
• Works well as part of a small team
• Able to follow instructions and stay on task
• Age 16 or older

Additional Notes
• Indoor role
• Orientation provided at the start of the shift
• Dress neatly and comfortably for light physical work
• Supplies and equipment provided
• Free parking for volunteers provided courtesy of Monona Terrace

Photo Station Volunteer
Help capture the fun of Family Winter Prom by assisting at the photo station! Volunteers may help take photos using guests’ phones or cameras or assist with line management and prep by keeping things moving smoothly. This is a great role for friendly, outgoing volunteers who enjoy helping families make lasting memories.

Responsibilities
• Greet families as they arrive at the photo area
• Use guests’ phones or cameras to take photos upon request
• Help organize and direct the line to keep it moving efficiently
• Guide families on where to stand or pose before photos
• Keep the photo area tidy and safe for guests
• Communicate any technical or crowd issues to event staff
• Assist with light cleanup or reset at the end of the shift

Qualifications
• Comfortable interacting with children and families in a busy event space
• Friendly, patient, and professional when taking or assisting with photos
• Able to stand for most of the shift and manage a small line
• Willing to handle guests’ phones carefully and follow simple photo-taking steps
• Age 16 or older

Additional Notes
• Indoor role
• Orientation provided at the start of the shift
• Supplies and equipment provided
• Free parking for volunteers provided courtesy of Monona Terrace

Activity Station Volunteer

Help make Family Winter Prom extra fun by assisting with the activity stations! Volunteers will help kids and families complete simple, pre-planned activities set up around the event space. This is a great role for friendly, patient volunteers who enjoy engaging with children and keeping the area welcoming for all guests.

Responsibilities

• Welcome families and explain how each activity works

• Offer light guidance or assistance as kids complete the activities

• Keep tables and supplies tidy and restocked as needed

• Encourage creativity and positive participation

• Communicate any supply or safety issues to event staff

• Help with light cleanup or reset at the end of the shift

Qualifications

• Enjoy interacting with children and families in a lively event setting

• Friendly, patient, and attentive to safety and cleanliness

• Comfortable standing or moving between activity areas during the shift

• Willing to follow simple instructions for the pre-planned activities

• Age 16 or older

Additional Notes

• Indoor role

• Orientation provided at the start of the shift

• Supplies and equipment provided

• Free parking for volunteers provided courtesy of Monona Terrace

Put on your dancing shoes and join us at Monona Terrace for Family Winter Prom 2026! The evening will have fun music, light refreshments, crafts, and a photo station. Family Winter Prom is a dance perfect for children 13 and under with an accompanying adult. 

Registration Volunteer

Help welcome families to Madison Parks’ Family Winter Prom by staffing the registration table. You’ll greet guests, check them in, answer basic event questions, and set a friendly tone for the evening. Training and talking points are provided on site.

Responsibilities

Greet and check in attendees using the guest list or ticketing app Distribute wristbands, programs, and any handouts Assist with on-site registrations if applicable Direct guests to coat check, photo area, and dance floor Answer general questions and radio or flag a staff lead as needed Keep the registration area tidy and stocked Record simple counts or notes for end-of-shift handoff

Qualifications

Comfortable interacting with families and kids in a busy lobby setting Organized and attentive to detail when checking names and materials Able to stand or sit at a table for most of the shift Willing to learn a simple check-in flow and follow procedures Age 16 or older

Additional Notes

Indoor roleOrientation provided at the start of the shiftDress neatly and warmly enough for brief doorway draftsSupplies and equipment providedAccessibility accommodations available upon requestFree parking for volunteers provided courtesy of Monona Terrace

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:

Monitor the dog park to ensure cleanliness. Pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly. Ensure waste disposal stations are stocked with bags and accessible. Report any safety hazards or issues to park staff. Promote a friendly, welcoming environment for dogs and their owners.

Qualifications:

Must be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Ability to handle pet waste safely and hygienically. Good communication skills to report park issues effectively. Must be at least 14 years old (or accompanied by an adult if under 18).

Additional Info:

This is a flexible volunteer position with no set hours, though regular visits are encouraged. Volunteers are provided with gloves and waste bags and pooper scooper.

We invite volunteers to join the Friends of Owen Conservation Park, who are leading this effort to improve the health of the local environment. Volunteers will help with planting white and bur oak seedlings in oak woodland or savanna areas, in addition to cutting invasive brush such as buckthorn. These hands-on conservation activities are essential for restoring native ecosystems and supporting long-term habitat health.

No experience needed. Loppers and gloves provided. We recommend long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe footwear, and bringing your own drinking water.

The Park Toy Coordinator is responsible for gathering and organizing toys left at Ontario Park, ensuring they are kept in a designated area. 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

Collect toys left around the park and place them in the designated area. Inspect toys regularly and dispose of anything broken or hazardous. Serve as the main volunteer for your park; recruit others if needed. Communicate safety concerns or supply needs with park staff.

Qualifications

Good organization and attention to detail. Ability to identify and handle broken or hazardous items safely. Comfortable leading and coordinating volunteers. Dedicated to keeping the park clean and safe.

Additional Notes

Flexible hours; typically 1–2 hours per week based on park use. Great opportunity to support your community and gain leadership experience.

Help create a magical winter experience for visitors at Park’s Candlelight Walk. Volunteers will assist with setup and takedown of hundreds of tealights that illuminate the walking trail at night. This is a great way to enjoy the beauty of winter while helping make a community event possible.

Volunteer Shifts (choose below which shift/job you want)

Setup Shift (2:00–4:00pm): Assemble and place tealights along the trail before the event. Some indoor preparation may occur before heading outdoors.Snowshoes Assisting Shift (4:30-7pm): Help participants get their snowshoes on and off and assist with organizing Take Down Shift (6:30–8:30pm): Collect and pack up tealights after the event. This shift takes place entirely outdoors

Qualifications

Enjoy working outdoors in winter weather conditions. Able to lift and carry small items and walk along uneven, snowy, or icy surfaces. Dependable and punctual for scheduled shifts. Youth volunteers are welcome with adult supervision.

Additional Notes

Dress warmly and wear boots suitable for snow or ice. Snacks and water provided. All supplies provided on site.We will reserve about 7 (coned off) parking spots near the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for volunteers.  Move cones aside when you park in them and put back when you leave.Please check in at the welcome desk at Aldo Leopold Nature Center to be directed to your assigned area.

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:

Long sleeves and long pants Sturdy shoes (get ready for a bit of off-trail travel!)

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!

Independent Bike Trail Volunteers help with basic maintenance and upkeep of City of Madison bike trails. This includes trimming grass and weeds along the trail corridor, removing litter and debris, and reporting any larger maintenance needs to staff. Volunteers in this role do NOT perform trail tread shaping, dirt work, or jump/berm construction — those tasks may only be completed under CORP or Parks staff supervision through separate scheduled volunteer opportunities. This role is flexible and allows individuals to work on their own schedule after registering and signing a waiver.

Responsibilities

Trim grass and weeds encroaching on trail corridors. Collect and dispose of trash and debris along trails. Report hazards, erosion, or needed repairs to Parks staff. Work safely and independently, following provided guidelines.

Qualifications

Comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions. Ability to perform light physical activity such as bending, trimming, or carrying bags of litter. Independent, reliable, and able to follow basic safety instructions. Prior trail experience is helpful but not required.

Additional Notes

Volunteers in this role do NOT shape trail tread, build jumps, or alter berms. These tasks may be available to volunteers through CORP or Parks staff–led opportunities at scheduled dates.Tools such as hand trimmers, gloves, and litter bags are the responsibility of the volunteer unless otherwise arranged. Volunteers are encouraged to log hours and share updates with the Volunteer Coordinator.

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:

Monitor the dog park to ensure cleanliness. Pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly. Ensure waste disposal stations are stocked with bags and accessible. Report any safety hazards or issues to park staff. Promote a friendly, welcoming environment for dogs and their owners.

Qualifications:

Must be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Ability to handle pet waste safely and hygienically. Good communication skills to report park issues effectively. Must be at least 14 years old (or accompanied by an adult if under 18).

Additional Info:

This is a flexible volunteer position with no set hours, though regular visits are encouraged. Volunteers are provided with gloves and waste bags and pooper scooper.

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

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:

Visit bird boxes once a week to remove House Sparrow nests and record counts of nesting species, eggs, chicks, and fledglings. Be a key part of a growing community effort to support local bird species and biodiversity.

What We Provide:

Training on how to monitor bird boxes and Martin Houses effectively. Assistance in selecting a location that works best for you. A fun and impactful way to give back to the community!

We Need Monitors at the Following Locations:

Bluebird Trail Locations (Primary or Backup Monitors Needed):

Country Grove Park (new) Odana Hills Golf Course and Odana Hills Park (new) Marlborough Park (new) Reindahl Park (new) Cherokee Marsh - North UnitDoor Creek Park Kennedy Park Goodman Park / Quann Park Olin Park / Turville Point Conservation Park

Martin House Locations (Primary or Backup Monitors Needed):

Cherokee Marsh (new) Warner Park (new) Olbrich Park (new) Olin Park Hartmeyer Roth Park

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.

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:

Lead a team of volunteers for a one-day cleanup event, held on the weekend once a month.Provide clear instructions to volunteers, ensuring the cleanup runs smoothly and safely.Coordinate with Madison Parks staff to get the necessary supplies (gloves, trash bags, etc.) and ensure proper disposal of collected materials.Foster a fun, positive atmosphere while ensuring a productive cleanup experience for everyone involved.

Optional:

Report cleanup outcomes, including the amount of trash collected and any park maintenance issues observed, to the Madison Parks volunteer coordinator.Help promote the program to encourage more community involvement in park cleanups.

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:

Lead a team of volunteers for a one-day cleanup event, held on the weekend once a month.Provide clear instructions to volunteers, ensuring the cleanup runs smoothly and safely.Coordinate with Madison Parks staff to get the necessary supplies (gloves, trash bags, etc.) and ensure proper disposal of collected materials.Foster a fun, positive atmosphere while ensuring a productive cleanup experience for everyone involved.

Optional:

Report cleanup outcomes, including the amount of trash collected and any park maintenance issues observed, to the Madison Parks volunteer coordinator.Help promote the program to encourage more community involvement in park cleanups.

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:

Lead a team of volunteers for a one-day cleanup event, held on the weekend once a month.Provide clear instructions to volunteers, ensuring the cleanup runs smoothly and safely.Coordinate with Madison Parks staff to get the necessary supplies (gloves, trash bags, etc.) and ensure proper disposal of collected materials.Foster a fun, positive atmosphere while ensuring a productive cleanup experience for everyone involved.

Optional:

Report cleanup outcomes, including the amount of trash collected and any park maintenance issues observed, to the Madison Parks volunteer coordinator.Help promote the program to encourage more community involvement in park cleanups.

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:

Lead a team of volunteers for a one-day cleanup event, held on the weekend once a month.Provide clear instructions to volunteers, ensuring the cleanup runs smoothly and safely.Coordinate with Madison Parks staff to get the necessary supplies (gloves, trash bags, etc.) and ensure proper disposal of collected materials.Foster a fun, positive atmosphere while ensuring a productive cleanup experience for everyone involved.

Optional:

Report cleanup outcomes, including the amount of trash collected and any park maintenance issues observed, to the Madison Parks volunteer coordinator.Help promote the program to encourage more community involvement in park cleanups.

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:

Lead a team of volunteers for a one-day cleanup event, held on the weekend once a month.Provide clear instructions to volunteers, ensuring the cleanup runs smoothly and safely.Coordinate with Madison Parks staff to get the necessary supplies (gloves, trash bags, etc.) and ensure proper disposal of collected materials.Foster a fun, positive atmosphere while ensuring a productive cleanup experience for everyone involved.

Optional:

Report cleanup outcomes, including the amount of trash collected and any park maintenance issues observed, to the Madison Parks volunteer coordinator.Help promote the program to encourage more community involvement in park cleanups.