Paul Quinlan, conservation resources supervisor at Madison Parks, has (with his colleagues and input from the Friends) completed a comprehensive five-year Habitat Management Plan for the South Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park. The document updates an earlier management plan from 2018.

Birding from dawn to dusk, the team spotted 35 species. Highlights included a Rough-legged Hawk at Cherokee Marsh North Unit at dawn, a flock of 10 Bluebirds at Hickory Island, a Harrier and a Northern Shrike far out in the Marsh, and a Kingfisher and Great Blue Heron at School Road Landing at sunset. This year's participants included Jan Axelson, Tim Baker, Marcus Mueller, Barb Noeldner, Paul Noeldner, Brian Schneider, Courtney Woods, and Jim Mand.

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.

There are active beavers at the two ponds along Wheeler Road in the South Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park.The City of Madison is working with an environmental contractor to protect the drainage culverts in the ponds without harming the beavers.Parks conservation staff will also consider how best to protect valuable trees.

Paul Quinlan, conservation resources supervisor at Madison Parks, has (with his colleagues and input from the Friends) completed a comprehensive Habitat Management Plan for the North Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park.

Over the two evenings of the August bat walks, the Echometer sensors gave plenty of indications of the presence of bats, even if we can't absolutely rely on the exact IDs. The sensors suggested the possible presence of six of Wisconsin's eight species: Little Brown, Big Brown, Hoary, Silver-haired, Tricolored, and Eastern Red.

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.

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.

The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association (USRWA) is sponsoring a project to map and manage the non-native phragmites population in Cherokee Marsh. The participating partners in the project are the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association, Dane County Department of Land and Water Resources, City of Madison, Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Wisconsin DNR, and some private landowners along the Upper Yahara River.

Madison Parks maintenance staff discovered the problem but needed to bring in a septic system contractor to clear the pipes and pump out the septic tank. Restrooms have now re-opened.

Enter stage right, the muskrat, a resident of Cherokee Marsh. The muskrat, the not-often-thought-about rodent. O muskrat! O you, the poor man’s beaver! Ondatra zibethicus is its scientific name, and it is found almost everywhere in Canada and the United States. Yet, how often do we think about it? How often are muskrats championed?

Cherokee Marsh is not yet a dazzle of blossoms, but it is on its way. Bellworts are ringing their yellow bells. Mayapples hide their blossoms beneath green umbrellas. Shooting stars glitter in the thickets. Daisies dance. These are wild geranium days.

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

Friends volunteers and board members were busy throughout Earth Week.

The trained and certified staff of both Madison Parks and Dane County Parks are busy when conditions are optimal for prescribed burns.

We have lots to report about conservation projects on Madison’s portion of the Cherokee Marsh public lands.

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

For more than 12,000 years, people have lived and died here.