Volunteers contributors to outdoor state natural areas

Last year, volunteers spent more than 9,589 hours, maintaining and improving State Natural Areas (SNA), through a variety of projects across 54 sites. Volunteers worked individually, as well as at organized volunteer events around Wisconsin.

SNAs are designated to conserve the best of Wisconsin prairies, forests, wetlands and other habitats. These special places provide support for 90 percent of rare plant species and 75 percent of rare wildlife species.

“Our volunteers continue to gain valuable experience taking care of SNAs,” said Jared Urban, DNR SNA volunteer program coordinator. “As they learn by doing, they are skillfully removing invasives, helping with prescribed burns and collecting seeds.”

Nearly all properties are open to the public to enjoy while bird watching, hiking, hunting and fishing. Visitors should note that SNAs are largely undeveloped, and do not have restrooms, trails and other facilities, like state parks do.

Although the DNR holds more than half of these sites in trust for Wisconsinites, the U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy and more than 50 other partners, own and manage sites, under a system established in 1951, and spurred by Aldo Leopold and other Wisconsin conservation giants.

Workdays are one of the main ways volunteers help the DNR care for SNAs. Workdays take place at different properties across the state, and throughout the year. They are a great way to get some exercise, have fun and make a positive impact on pristine public lands.

No experience is necessary, and training and equipment are provided on-site.