Trail Ambassador Program

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Prairie Moraine Friends is seeking “Trail Ambassadors” willing to participate in the maintenance and development of Prairie Moraine Park. “Trail Ambassadors” clean park trails, learn about topics relevant to the park, and share knowledge of the park with others.

Dane County Parks (DCP) estimates that during the week up to 350 people per day visit Prairie Moraine Park. Most of these park users are dog owners who rely on the park’s off-leash exercise area as a way to enjoy hiking in a natural setting with their best friend. DCP also estimates 500 or more visitors, in good weather, use the park on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Many park users have expressed an interest in helping with the maintenance of Prairie Moraine Park. However, personal schedules can sometimes prevent volunteers from assisting with organized work projects in the park.

The intended goal of this project is to create a group of dedicated park users who understand the park as well as its role in creating a safe and healthy place to exercise their dogs. “Trail Ambassadors” lead the way by engaging in three sets of activities on a self-directed schedule, completing these activities at a time and place of their choosing.

“Trail Ambassadors” at Prairie Moraine Park make a commitment to the following three activities (on their own schedule and at their own pace): 

1. Cleaning Trails – This primary activity is carried out while walking the park trails. It includes cleaning snow off park benches, and picking up dog waste, trash, or other throw-away items and placing these items in an appropriate park trash receptacle.  
2. Learning Park Issues – This broad-based learning activity will increase user understanding of the many issues affecting Prairie Moraine Park. The park is best known for its outstanding off-leash dog exercise areas, but it also offers physical and mental stimulation opportunities for every park user. These opportunities include:
   a) Dog training and behavior in a natural setting,
   b) Planned tree, shrub, and plant communities,
   c) Glacial geology, and un-glaciated topography,
   d) Native pollinator species and habitat,
   e) Woodland grassland bird identification,
   f) Invasive species management,
   g) Historic and cultural uses of the park over time,
   h) Thoughtful reflection along the poetry trail,
   i) Sustainable trail management, and
   j) Seasonal expectations within the park.
3. Sharing Knowledge with Others - This activity occurs as a natural outcome of learning activities. Like sharing a good book or movie, these conversations may occur within a wide range of day-to-day interactions with family members, friends, co-workers, and other community members or park users.

For the most part, “Trail Ambassadors” will perform these activities as individual volunteers. Cleaning happens when walking the park; learning occurs through reading, web-browsing, and participating in organized training sessions; and sharing results as a natural outcome of the other activities. In some cases, they may be asked to work in group settings.

A facilitator will meet and work with each “Trail Ambassador” volunteer to provide assistance on an as-needed basis in developing a learning program that fits their interests and schedule.

A “Trail Ambassador” would choose their own learning activity, by themselves or by discussing it with a facilitator. Once decided upon, the facilitator can recommend book titles, DVDs, web sites, or knowledge experts as appropriate. The following topics are provided as examples: 

• Dog Safety, Behavior, Control, and Training
• Prairie Moraine Park’s Vegetative Plan
• Sustainable Trail Development
• Woodland and Grassland Bird Species 
• Prairie Moraine Park’s Historic and Cultural Heritage
• Tree, Shrub, and Plant Communities 
• Weeds and Wildflower Walks
• Geology and Landscape Talks
• Invasive Plant Control Techniques
• Native Pollinator Populations
• Photography

Many park users are already well on their way.  You know who you are!

If you'd like to pursue it further, why not join the Prairie Moraine friends and make the commitment within a supportive community of like-minded people?