Getting involved as a volunteer is a great way to make important connections with people and to gain valuable experiences.

Listed below are great organizations in the Madison area;

Four Lakes Wildlife Center

FLWC, a program of the Dane County Humane Society, is located in Madison, Wisconsin. FLWC is a volunteer-run wildlife rehabilitation group offering care to ill, injured and orphaned wildlife of southern Wisconsin.

For additional information, directions, or questions about volunteering with the animals, contact at wildlife@giveshelter.org or phone at (608)-838-0413 Ext. 192:

http://www.fourlakeswildlifecenter.blogspot.com/

Bird Banding at Biocore Prairie

The Biocore Prairie Bird Banding Station is an all-volunteer operation that monitors bird populations in the Preserve, above Picnic Point.   They welcome volunteers of all skill levels, and will teach volunteers how to band birds.

For more information about volunteering or viewing bird banding, please contact Mara McDonald at mamcdona@wisc.edu

http://waa.uwalumni.com/lakeshorepreserve/birdbanding.html

Lakeshore Nature Preserve

Volunteer opportunities vary with the seasons and with the types of projects being pursued in the field.  Volunteers help keep the Preserve clean and healthy, improve biological diversity, prevent erosion, and provide well designed ways for people to experience its beauty.

For announcements and updates on volunteer opportunities, free field trips, photos, and more:

http://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/

UW Arboretum

Volunteers lend their special talents to a variety of tasks that support the Arboretum. They strive to place qualified applicants into rewarding positions based upon their talents and interests. New volunteers are always welcome to join their program.

For information on volunteer opportunities, free events, workshops, and more:

http://uwarboretum.org/

Drop-in Work Parties:

     Schedule: 9am-Noon

• First Saturday of each month: Wingra Oak Savana;
  • meet at parking lot near intersection of Arbor Drive and Monroe St.
• Second and fourth Saturdays: Core Area;
  • meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center
• Third Saturday: Grady Savanna;
  • meet at parking lot intersection of Seminole Hwy. and Beltline Frontage Rd.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Volunteer with ALNC! Learn about nature, gain experience, build your resume and give back to the community. Come once a month or once a week, the sky’s the limit!

http://www.naturenet.com/alnc/involve.html

Dane County Parks

The Parks Volunteer Program is a partnership that not only benefits Dane County Parks, but also park users and the Dane County community. Every year thousands of volunteers of all ages restore native habitat, conduct research, serve as park advocates and public relation representatives, assist with conservation projects and fundraising, promote informational and educational activities and more.

http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/volunteer/

Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy

There are many ways you can volunteer in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy!  Join them at a  scheduled work party, adopt-a-plot, monitor sandhill cranes, or join a committee!

http://www.pheasantbranch.org/restoration.html

Henry Vilas Zoo

For more information on different volunteering programs and other opportunities to help out at our local zoo:

http://www.vilaszoo.org/support/forms.php?id=143&category_id=526

Madison Audubon Society

For a map of birding hotspots and information on field trips and volunteering:

http://madisonaudubon.org/audubon/index.htm

The Prairie Enthusiast

For information about upcoming work parties and volunteer opportunities in the Madison area:

http://www.theprairieenthusiasts.org/chapter/empire/empire.htm

The Nature Conservancy

For information on field trips, events, and volunteering in Wisconsin:

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/wisconsin/index.htm