Get involved with The Nature Conservancy and make a difference to Wisconsin’s lands and waters! We host volunteer events on our nature preserves year-round. Help control invasive species, plant trees and restore forests, maintain trails, and more!
If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities from home or in our office, please fill out our brief volunteer interest form or contact us directly. We occasionally have volunteer projects such as front desk service, photography, event staffing, or conservation project work.
Note: As of October 2021, we have updated our safety protocols and restrictions for volunteer events. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteer events remain limited in size and are conducted in accordance with safety protocols. Please check back on this page for future events or updates.
Feel free to contact us with any questions at WIVolunteer@tnc.org!
Opportunities Across the State
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Baraboo
At our Baraboo Hills preserves northwest of Madison in Sauk County, work days are held on the first Saturday of every month, along with most Wednesdays. Contact Sherren Clark (sclark99@outlook.com or 608-225-2974) to join the email list for Baraboo volunteer work parties.
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City Nature Challenge
The City Nature Challenge is an annual 4-day bioblitz that engages volunteers in making nature observations. In late April 2022, TNC will help organize City Nature Challenge events for Madison and Milwaukee for the first time.
If you’re interested in helping us organize or advertise this opportunity, contact caitlin.embly@tnc.org! Stay tuned later this spring for more details for participating in City Nature Challenge events.
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Door County
Work days at our preserves on the Door Peninsula are held in partnership with the Door County Land Trust, typically every Tuesday. For more information, contact our Northeast Wisconsin office at 920-743-8695 or khagenow@tnc.org.
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Military Ridge
Work days are typically held on the second Saturday of every month at the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area in Dane and Iowa Counties near Mount Horeb. Contact Jim Lesniak (608-576-3310) for more information or to RSVP.
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Mukwonago
Our Mukwonago River Watershed preserves are located in Walworth and Waukesha Counties in southeast Wisconsin. Contact our office at 262-642-7276 or brian.miner@tnc.org to inquire about upcoming opportunities or get on the volunteer list.
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Northwoods
To volunteer at our Northwoods preserves in Vilas County, contact volunteer leader Rod Sharka at resharka@gmail.com.
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Photography Corps
Are you an experienced photographer? Join our photo corps! Through this self-guided opportunity, submit photos of natural areas, green spaces, or wildlife around the state and we will use them in our communications materials with appropriate credit.
To get started with the project, email caitlin.embly@tnc.org.
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Prescribed Burning
We have opportunities for volunteers to join our crew on controlled burns to improve habitat. Training is required, and we can help connect volunteers to training opportunities. To learn more, contact karina.cardella@tnc.org.
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Waubesa Wetlands
Waubesa Wetlands preserve is located just south of Madison.
Work days are held on the first Friday of each month through the DNR State Natural Areas volunteer program. Contact Alex Wenthe at 608-282-5403 or aewenthe@gmail.com to learn more or to RSVP.
If you’d like to speak up for nature on important state and federal policy and funding issues related to our lands and waters, sign up for our Great Places email newsletter and watch this page for important Action Alerts.
Sign Up!
Don’t see an upcoming event that’s right for you? Fill out our volunteer interest form and we’ll get in touch.
Community Science Opportunities
Volunteer online or from a yard or park near you! Here are a few suggested programs for you and your family to get involved and contribute to community science.
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Budburst
You can choose a tree or plant in your yard or neighborhood. Record how it changes and grows through the season and submit your observations. Start observing
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Journey North
Help track the migration of animals like monarch butterflies and robins by recording sightings near you. Check out the amazing maps of animal movements. Get started
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Zooniverse
Contribute to projects from your computer. We especially recommend DNR’s Snapshot Wisconsin project, where you can sort through and help identify trail camera photos of animals. Discover, teach and learn
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Wisconsin First Detector Network
Learn about invasive species in Wisconsin and help spot and report them in neighborhoods or parks near you. Online training is available. Take action against invasive species
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SciStarter
Search for more citizen science projects in your location or interest area from a large database. Help advance scientific research
Thank You, Volunteers!
Join Us
Join our Great Places News email list for news and Action Alerts on Wisconsin conservation topics. Help speak up for nature in Wisconsin!
Related Articles
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Weeds At Their Worst: Combating Invasive SpeciesInvasive species damage Wisconsin’s lands and waters and make our lives miserable, but we can do something about them.
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Restoring Fire To Native LandscapesThe Nature Conservancy uses safe and ecologically appropriate fire to maintain Wisconsin’s diversity of plant and animal life at places like Barneveld Prairie Preserve.
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Speak Up for ConservationVisit our Online Action Center to learn more about and lend your voice to important conservation causes.