Student group explores the treasures of Lakeshore Nature Preserve

Students typically spend at least four years on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, yet what lies in their backyard on the shores of Lake Mendota may go unnoticed.

The Students for the Lakeshore Nature Preserve are working to build a community of undergraduate and graduate students who will experience the multiple benefits of interacting with the surrounding natural world.

Students of the Preserve emerged from the existing Lakeshore Nature Preserve that invites members of the community to help protect the undeveloped land along the shore of Lake Mendota. Founded in 2006, the group has grown to approximately 100 student members from a variety of backgrounds.

“There are many members who are in the natural sciences disciplines, but there are also just as many members in vastly different majors,” says student group leader Amy Jo Dusick. “I think practically every discipline involves an element to address our natural surroundings and aesthetics in some form.”

“Joining the student group for the preserve is a means to expand your understanding of the campus green spaces and local issues of conservation and policy,” she adds. “Current projects in the preserve are a reflection of common problems in many areas, such as storm water pollution, erosion and land use concerns.”

Every Friday from 3-5 p.m., student volunteers take part in hands-on restoration projects around the preserve. Common activities include removing invasive species from the area, building and conserving trails, planting native flora and removing trash from the site.

For senior geography major Brittany Ricci, the Students of the Preserve involvement began solely as a vehicle for coursework, but evolved into an educational getaway after a long week of classes.

“It’s the best way to end a week of studying on a Friday afternoon,” says Ricci, who first volunteered as a requirement for a conservation course.

“I wasn’t even aware our campus had a nature preserve until I encountered this group and I really got into exploring it. Most people don’t realize what we have back there and my appreciation for wilderness has grown immensely.”

Muir Woods, a seven-acre forested area northwest of Bascom Hall and east of the Sewell Social Science building, is sophomore preserve member Peter Ganzlin’s favorite area to explore.

“I especially like the Muir Woods near Bascom Hill. I didn’t even know they existed at first, but now I use them to get to class,” says Ganzlin. “Also, the prairie area near Picnic Point is a great asset to the preserve and allows students in the Biocore program to do research as well.”

Other members’ favorite discoveries include turtle eggs, a red-tailed hawk family, yellow lotuses in bloom in University Bay and the spring ephemeral explosion in Muir Woods.

Aside from Friday afternoon explorations, officers and other members meet at least once a month to discuss how to increase student membership and promote the group’s mission. Each member can dedicate as much time and effort he or she prefers. The group’s fall agenda includes promoting through pictures and informing members about local conservation issues.

“The best thing about our meetings is that I feel needed in the group because it’s so small and relatively new. You’re not just another number and they’re counting on me to show up for the meetings,” says Ricci.

The Students of the Preserve don’t hibernate in the winter, but manage to explore the outdoors during mild-weathered days in addition to planning future activities indoors.