Prairie Moraine Friends Inc, Verona, Wisconsin
About the Friends
Prairie Moraine Friends, Inc.
First organized in 2017, Prairie Moraine Friends (PMF) was incorporated on November 25, 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a nine-member board of directors.
Our mission is ...
to support the development, restoration, conservation, and operation of Prairie Moraine Park, a public park owned and operated by Dane County.
Our purpose is ...
to assist Dane County with the maintenance of healthy, safe, and stimulating hiking and dog exercise areas in a natural forest, oak savanna, and prairie community.
We do this through ...
an active volunteer program. In 2020, approximately 30 different unpaid volunteers contributed over 1600 hours on various projects.
Our Activities
Making Park Improvements
Celebrating Earth Day, April 22
Celebrating Earth Day, April 22
Like the new "geology of the moraine" signage installed at the entrances to the Ice Age Trail and at the overlook (wooden viewing platform) on the ridge of the moraine.
Celebrating Earth Day, April 22
Celebrating Earth Day, April 22
Celebrating Earth Day, April 22
Earth Day 2021 involved over 90 participants. A large group of workers and staff from Operation Fresh Start participated and were the focus of the day. The three park partners - Dane County Parks, the Ice Age Trail Alliance and Prairie Moraine Friends, Inc. - were all well represented. County Executive Joe Parisi also attended and spoke to the group.
Holding Park Events
Celebrating Earth Day, April 22
Involving the Park Kiosks
Parks on Tap:
Prairie Moraine Dog Park Pop Up
Saturday, June 12, 2021 12-4pm
Prairie Moraine Friends, Inc and Dane County Parks worked together on this afternoon of fun in the dog park, along with co-host Karben4 Brewing. There were a number of activities, vendors, and informational stations throughout the park.
Involving the Park Kiosks
Involving the Park Kiosks
Involving the Park Kiosks
PMF was awarded a $1,500 Friends of Dane County Parks Endowment grant through the Foundation for Dane County Parks to create seasonal content including photographs and descriptions about the park’s geologic and natural resource features for display on two informational kiosks in the park.
In the Tasting Orchard
Involving the Park Kiosks
In the Pollinator Garden
In fall of 2019, a tasting orchard
was planted by Dane County parks staff
in the area between the off-leash parking lot and Resurrection Lutheran Church.
Friends volunteers maintain the orchard, including mulching around the trees and mowing regularly.
In the Pollinator Garden
Involving the Park Kiosks
In the Pollinator Garden
In spring of 2020, the Friends planted a public, educational Pollinator Garden in the dog park. They continue to add to and maintain the garden, weeding and watering as needed during drought periods.
Keeping the Park Clean
Assisting DCP with Restoration
Keeping the Park Clean
As well as helping to keep the dog park and hiking trails clean on a daily basis, the volunteers assist at Prairie Moraine with the annual dog park cleanup day.
Controlling Invasives
Assisting DCP with Restoration
Keeping the Park Clean
Volunteers are trained by DCP on how to identify invasive species and how to reduce or eliminate them in the park. Some of the invasives that they have helped to control include Wild Parsnip, Japanese Hedge Parsley, Teasel, and Garlic Mustard.
Assisting DCP with Restoration
Assisting DCP with Restoration
Assisting DCP with Restoration
Dane County Parks (DCP) staff decide what work will be done at the park and how. The volunteers develop an annual work plan that has been approved by DCP, and follow it under the direction of the parks naturalist.
December 29, 2020
Thank you!
On behalf of all the staff at Dane County Parks, I want to thank the Prairie Moraine Friends and the Ice Age Trail Alliance for all your amazing work in 2020. There have been a number of challenges even beyond the pandemic, but I know that I can speak for all staff in saying we’ve been truly amazed with the passion, dedication and strength of all the volunteers. The ability to educate and improve the quality of the park for all users has been recognized by our community. I commend all of you on your accomplishments in 2020 and wish everyone the very best as we move into the New Year.
Sincerely,
Darren Marsh
Darren Marsh, Parks Director
Parks Division
Dane County Land & Water Resources Department
5201 Fen Oak Drive
Madison WI 53718
www.danecountyparks.com
February 20, 2020
Congratulations!
Hello Dave and Others,
I want to thank you for the opportunity to attend your Board meeting last night. It was well run and organized.
On behalf of Dane County Parks I want to congratulate the Friends on your success. I know it takes a dedicated team to do what you have accomplished in a short period of time. I am always amazed by the generosity of our park patrons and their willingness to pull together to volunteer in support of the County Parks.
The Friends of Prairie Moraine have created strong partners with the Ice Age Alliance and Park Friends groups to enhance the quality of the native vegetation throughout the Park; you have improved the trails and the overall visitor experience, you are working to create a butterfly garden, installing new and updating park kiosks, you have established a tasting orchard for your visitors, are helping to prepare a new section of the park to be opened to public use, you’ve worked on the cultural history of the site and created strong and significant ties to the Verona community. However, I believe the most significant project you have completed to date is your newly formed nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Your Board of Directors, all the volunteers and the professional pro bono services must all be commended for your latest efforts. Everyone came together to create a sustainable support group for Prairie Moraine Park to make sure that this park continues to provide the best dog park in the country, while showcasing the beauty of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the geography of Wisconsin with one of the best examples of (a glacial) terminal moraine found anywhere in the world.
Again, from all of us at Dane County Parks I want to congratulate and thank the Friends of Prairie Moraine for everything you have accomplished.
Sincerely,
Darren Marsh
Darren Marsh, Parks Director
Parks Division
Dane County Land & Water Resources Department
5201 Fen Oak Drive
Madison WI 53718
www.danecountyparks.com