A seasonal reminder about opportunities for winter fun in and around Cherokee Marsh: hiking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, skating, birdwatching, and more.

The Friends of Cherokee Marsh invite all Friends members and the general public to our annual membership meeting on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Doors open at 9 a.m, and the program will begin at 9:30 a.m. The morning will include updates from representatives of Madison Parks and Dane County Parks, the Friends’ year in review, and election of Friends board members, followed by our featured presentation on water quality issues.

The annual membership meeting on January 24 of the Friends of Cherokee Marsh includes election of board members. If you are interested in serving on the board, please contact board president Sheila Leary at info@cherokeemarsh.org. Board members serve for terms of two years and can be re-elected to additional terms.

Charitable giving is a two-way street. If we ask for your donations and membership, we should also tell you how we have spent donated funds and some of our plans for the future.

Scout Cynthia has been working steadily since February on her Eagle Scout project, with sponsorship and guidance from the Friends of Cherokee Marsh. She has now completed her project of planting a native plant pollinator garden, with the help of many Scout volunteers.

We had more than 40 enthusiastic volunteers this year to survey 24 Dane County sites for aquatic invasive species.

Wildflower, Butterfly, Bat, & Bird Walks  We're pleased to offer some new events!

I was very sad to learn of Russ’s passing in June after a long battle with cancer. Russ was a champion of the natural world, with a special love for purple martins, oak savannas, and winter adventuring by snowshoe.

UPDATES: American Family Insurance golf championship & Cherokee Marsh North Unit

Friends volunteers and board members were busy throughout Earth Week.

One of the most valuable tools in restoring Wisconsin’s native communities is prescribed fire, and this is especially true in a wetland.

Sheila Leary was elected president, Timothy Baker as vice president, Lesleigh Luttrell as treasurer, and Wendy Murkve as secretary.

We honored outgoing board president Jan Axelson for her 19 years of board service with the Friends of Cherokee Marsh.

Help sew bags for seed collecting

a video that shows the Friends' activities in 2024

The marsh is a snowy wasteland. Or is it? I hear Canada geese with their rapturous calls on the Yahara. Even in winter, life abounds.

The funds donated to the city were used to support 260 hours from seasonal staffers.

It's Time to Renew Your Membership. All memberships expire on December 31.