Restoration of Prairie Moraine Park

Dane County Parks (DCP) staff is responsible for deciding what work will be done at the park. They use a “Vegetation Plan” to make decisions for the restoration work being done at the park.  

It is posted on our "Resources" web page, in the "Additional Resources" section on the bottom of this page, or just use the "Download" button below.  This plan describes the desired tree, shrub, and plant communities for the park.

DCP staff decides how the work will be completed.  Based on those instructions, volunteers develop and follow an annual work plan that has been approved by DCP staff. These volunteers are trained by DCP on how to identify invasive species and how to reduce or eliminate them in the park. 

There are three types of volunteers in Dane County Parks:

1. Walk-Up volunteers work on straight-forward projects such as pulling garlic mustard in the spring.
2. Registered volunteers receive basic training on identifying trees, shrubs, and plants; selecting correct management techniques; and, using tools and equipment.
3. Certified volunteers receive in-depth training from DCP and UW-Extension and lead restoration projects in the park. 

Prairie Moraine Friends (PMF) was created to support Dane County Parks with the development, restoration, conservation, and operation of Prairie Moraine Park. Most, but not all, PMF volunteers are park users and dog owners.  One of PMF’s primary goals is to create a healthy, safe, and stimulating off-leash dog exercise area in Dane County. 

Prairie Moraine Park consists of 160 acres and is divided into two areas; an on-leash area that is part of the Nation’s Ice Age Trail System, and an off-leash dog exercise area. Each area is about 80 acres. The on-leash area has undergone extensive restoration in the last 20 years. Most of the invasive species are located in the off-leash area. 

There are three primary methods used to remove invasive species from the park. The first method is the use of controlled or prescribed burning. This is the best and most lasting of the methods. It requires a high level of training and is most often done in spring before the vegetation starts to grow. A second method used at the park involves mechanically removing invasive species with mowers, brush cutter, or saws. Sometimes a third method, herbicide treatment, is necessary in order to control an invasive species.

There is no simple answer to this question. There will be years of volunteer effort needed to eradicate or reduce the invasive species in the park and more years for the desired trees, shrubs, and plants to take hold and develop into mature communities. While each step in the restoration project in the park provides immediate rewards, the truth is this restoration is being done for future generations of park users.

In a word, the park will be beautiful when it is finished. Dane County Park users are fortunate to have this land available every day to hike on and exercise their dogs. The park is literally on the dividing line between the glacial and driftless regions of Dane County. When the restoration is complete, the park will have three major vegetation communities … oak woodlands, oak openings/savannas, and prairies. 

To learn more about these communities, visit:

https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Communities.asp

https://pleasantvalleyconservancy.org/savannas.html

https://www.theprairieenthusiasts.org

There are many ways for you to help:

• Join us on any posted park work day as a "walk up" volunteer.
• Sign up with Dane County Parks as a registered volunteer (see above).
• Join Prairie Moraine Friends and get involved in whatever way suits you best.
• Donate to Prairie Moraine Friends.

of Dane County Land and Water Resources, Parks Division

Restore and sustain the natural communities of Dane County Park lands to the highest standard while helping to foster within people a deeper connection to our natural resources and an understanding for the principles and practices of land stewardship.

Ecosystem Recovery

•  Restoration of ecosystem integrity, resiliency, and functionality.
•  Sensitive and declining species restoration.
•  Invasive species control.

Land Stewardship Education

•  Training the next generation of land stewards.
•  Connecting people to the land and waters of Dane County.
•  Instilling a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world.

• Fall: Seed Collection, Processing, Planting
• Winter: Invasive Tree and Brush Removal
• Spring: Prescribed Burning
• Summer: Invasive Weed Control