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29Oct 2026 Volunteer Day

October 29 @ 12:45 pm – 2:45 pm

Join Clean Lakes Alliance and Dane County Parks for a seed collection event at Lake Farm County Park. Seed collection involves visiting prairies to collect native seeds from plants that have gone to flower for the season (often off-trail within the prairie). These seeds help create and restore native plantings throughout County parks.

How do seed collections benefit the lakes? 

Native plants greatly improve our water quality. Their intricate and deep root systems (much more than our invasive plants) stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Less soil loss means less algae-producing phosphorus entering our lakes. In addition, our native plants are amazing at catching and filtering contaminated runoff before it enters our lakes; they capture more carbon than our invasives, provide beneficial habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and beautify our communities. In short, native plants are one of the best things we can add to our watershed to keep our lakes clean and clear.

29Oct 2026 Volunteer Day


Tools and guidance will be provided. No prior experience or plant knowledge is required; everyone is welcome! Please wear comfortable clothes for outside work, and bring a water bottle and sun protection. You’re welcome to bring your own garden gloves. Gloves will also be provided. Closed-toed shoes and pants are required to best protect you from bugs, ticks, and scratches. Meet at Shelter #2 in the park.

(608) 255-1000

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Clean Lakes Alliance's Watershed Programs Manager Caitlin McAleavey volunteers with Dane County Parks to process native seeds for distribution across the Yahara Watershed

Many hands make light work. And for volunteers collecting and processing native seeds, it can be fun work, too!

On any given fall day, you can likely find volunteers collecting native seeds from a local prairie. For years, many organizations, including Clean Lakes Alliance, have offered this volunteer opportunity and encouraged people to join us in the prairie.

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October 2025 Volunteer Day #2

October 30, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join us for a native seed collection event with Village of McFarland Public Works to help our lakes! We’ll meet at Marsh Woods Park on Lower Mud Lake on Thursday, October 30th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. We’ll be collecting native seeds to create and restore native prairie spaces around our lakes. Please wear closed toed shoes and pants as we’ll be in the prairie, off trail. Long layers are highly encouraged to protect yourself from bugs/ticks/scratches. All tools and training will be provided.

October 2025 Volunteer Day #2

How do native plants help the lakes? The more native plantings and prairie spaces we have near our water bodies, the healthier they’ll be. Native plants have profound root systems that prevent erosion and soil loss, stabilize shorelines, slow and filter contaminated runoff before entering the lake, and provide invaluable habitat for our pollinators and wildlife. Seed collections are always a volunteer favorite because you can go at your own pace, do it solo or walk with a small group, and learn a new native plant or two along the way. No experience necessary; all tools are provided! 

Free

(608) 255-1000

View Organizer Website

Marsh Woods Park
McFarland, Wisconsin 53558
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6082551000

October 2025 Volunteer Day

October 15, 2025 @ 4:15 pm – 5:45 pm

Join us for a native seed collection event to help our lakes! We’ll be at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Wednesday, October 15, from 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Meet at the main entrance to the Holy Wisdom Monastery building (stay right at the fork in the driveway). Please wear closed toed shoes and pants as we’ll be in the prairie, off trail. Long layers are highly encouraged to protect yourself from bugs/ticks/scratches. All tools and training will be provided! All are welcome, including chaperoned children!

October 2025 Volunteer Day

How do native plants help the lakes? The more native plantings and prairie spaces we have near our water bodies, the healthier they’ll be. Native plants have profound root systems that prevent erosion and soil loss, stabilize shorelines, slow and filter contaminated runoff before entering the lake, and provide invaluable habitat for our pollinators and wildlife. Seed collections are always a volunteer favorite because you can go at your own pace, do it solo or walk with a small group, and learn a new native plant or two along the way. No experience necessary; all tools are provided!

(608) 255-1000

View Organizer Website

4200 County Road M
Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
+ Google Map
6082551000