Lakeshore Nature Preserve benefits from Days of Caring volunteers

Last week, 27 volunteers participating in the 20th annual United Way of Dane County Days of Caring helped remove invasive buckthorn plants at Picnic Point, working side by side with employees from the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

“We accomplished a lot with their help,” said Cathie Bruner, Lakeshore Nature Preserve field manager. The volunteers came from the preserve, Virent, Inc., CUNA Mutual Group and Hausmann-Johnson Insurance.

“In a matter of hours, we were able to remove a sizeable area of buckthorn in a woodland restoration unit, saving our small staff several days of labor,” says preserve outreach specialist Bryn Scriver.

“We were fortunate to benefit from the Days of Caring volunteers,” says Scriver. “Such a large group of hard-working individuals is a huge boost to the management of the preserve.”

“Hopefully, in the process, we can connect members of the local community to this beautiful place and foster an ethic of stewardship,” she adds.

United Way of Dane County kicked off its 2012 campaign last week with the Days of Caring, described as one of the largest volunteer events in Dane County.