Friends of Cherokee Marsh

06/14/2026

The kiosk in the lower parking lot of Cherokee Marsh North unit, blown down by high winds, is standing up again after repair by Madison Parks. It now has steel support plates on both sides of its two legs. (Photo by Jim Mand)

06/12/2026

We still have lots of openings for Saturday night's Bat Walk (June 13). Free, but you must register at the link below.
Join Wisconsin master naturalist and DNR bat ambassador Kathlean Wolf on an evening walk to learn about Wisconsin’s amazing bats! After the introduction, use Echometer Touch sensors to eavesdrop on bat calls and identify which species fly the skies over Cherokee Marsh. On our 2025 bat walks, we detected six of Wisconsin's eight species.

Very accessible event. Use echo-meter gadgets to detect and ID bat species. Two dates: June 12 & 13.

06/09/2026

VOLUNTEER ON SATURDAY AT WESTPORT PRAIRIE

Groundswell Conservancy’s next outdoor volunteer event is Saturday, June 13 from 9:00am to 11:30am. For this event, we’ll continue to cut, treat, and stack brush along the southeast side of the drumlin where honeysuckle is abundant. We'll also bring some seed collection bags and check to see if any prairie seed is ready to collect. We’ll provide the tools and materials, but please bring work/gardening gloves. We’ll meet at our usual location at 5208 B**g Road, Waunakee

5208 B**g Rd, Waunakee, WI 53597

06/09/2026

Winds died down and we had a successful paddling event on Sunday, including two first-time paddlers from Alabama. We hope to offer at least one more group paddle this summer.

06/08/2026

REGISTER AND SAVE THE DATE. The morning of Saturday, August 8 2026, is when volunteers around the state sample local waters to look for aquatic invasive species on SNAPSHOT DAY. From Token Creek to Pheasant Branch, from Cherokee Marsh to Lake Wingra, we need Madison-area volunteers to sign up for this fun event. All training is provided—and easy! Experts will be on hand to identify species.
https://wav.extension.wisc.edu/events/aquatic-invasive-species-snapshot-day-2026/

06/08/2026

This Friday and Saturday evenings, June 12 & 13, the Friends of Cherokee Marsh are offering evening bat walks in Cherokee Park (neighborhood park, not the conservation parks). Free, but you must register in advance, as each walk is limited to 20 people. Four slots are currently left for Friday and 19 spots are open for Saturday!
All ages welcome, but youths must be accompanied by an adult. Details and registration at the link.
* If you cannot walk on the grassy paths, it is possible to attend and stay on the sidewalk. We have three bat monitoring devices.
* We will also announce later dates for bat events in July and August.

Very accessible event. Use echo-meter gadgets to detect and ID bat species. Two dates: June 12 & 13.

06/08/2026

We are offering guided Bat Walks this Friday and Saturday night, June 12 & 13. Free, but you must register in advance. See details at the link. (We will offer additional bat events in July and August.)

Very accessible event. Use echo-meter gadgets to detect and ID bat species. Two dates: June 12 & 13.

06/07/2026

We had a wrong address on our web page for today's paddling Bird & Nature Adventure. It's been corrected, sort of (because the boat launch doesn't have an address). In any case, go to the corner of School Rd & Wheeler Rd and follow the gravel road into the South Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park until it dead-ends at the parking lot for the boat launch.

Join us for a slow afternoon paddle on the Yahara River as we explore the shoreline of Cherokee Marsh. Help us spot birds, insects, aquatic plants, and other critters by boat, and learn a little bit about the history and diversity of Dane County’s largest wetland along the way.

06/06/2026

National Prairie Day!

On National Prairie Day🌾, we’re celebrating the plants and pollinators that keep Wisconsin thriving. 🦋 💚

Often overlooked and underrated as pollinators, many wasps are pollinating powerhouses. In fact, the blue-winged wasp is a prairie superhero. Not only do they drink nectar and spread pollen, but the females hunt beetle grubs that eat plant roots to feed their larvae!

Often overlooked and underrated as pollinators, many wasps are pollinating powerhouses. In fact, the blue-winged wasp is a prairie superhero. Not only do they drink nectar and spread pollen, but the females hunt beetle grubs that eat plant roots to feed their larvae! ie’s version of a bustling community center.

(Bonus goldenrod fact: Because they bloom in the late summer and fall, goldenrod is often blamed for allergies because it's so visible. But goldenrod produces large, heavy pollen that must be spread by pollinators because it's too big to float in the air. Less showy ragweed, however, blooms at the same time and uses air currents to spread its pollen, making it the likely culprit causing all the itchy eyes and stuffy, sneezy noses.)

🌻 Here’s to the wings, wildflowers, and the blooming prairies that make our state buzz. 🐝

06/03/2026

CLEAN BOATS, CLEAN WATERS Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by following these rules about boats and bait. Happy fishing and boating!

The first weekend of June highlights two big events: the Drain Campaign and the DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend.

The Drain Campaign promotes the importance of boaters and anglers to always drain water from their livewells, boats and equipment. Clean Boats, Clean Waters inspectors will be out across the state reminding anglers and boaters that draining water before leaving a boat landing or fishing access point is an important step towards preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) – and it's required by law!

Next time you head out to fish, help prevent the spread of AIS by following these steps:

– INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment.
– REMOVE anything attached.
– DRAIN all water from boats, motors, and equipment.
– NEVER MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
– DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
– BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. If live bait such as minnows or worms comes in contact with lake or river water, it can only be used on that same waterbody or discarded in trash.