Habitat Improvement: Fall Seed Collecting – Andersen Preserve

Help harvest native prairie seeds at this open-house style volunteer event at the Hickory Hill Conservancy.

Help harvest native prairie seed at the Village of Cross Plains-owned Hickory Hill Conservancy and the Alliance-owned Andersen Preserve , both located along the Cross Plains Segment in Dane County. Walk through flowing grasses—big blue stem—and exuberant stands of wildflowers, picking seed from prairie species such as wild quinine, compass plant, anise hyssop, and more! Alliance staff and expert volunteers will be on hand to guide you through the process, ensuring you know what and where to pick. (The Alliance will also provide clippers for snipping seed heads and collection buckets or bags.) This fun, easy, casual event allows volunteers of all ages and abilities to participate in an essential aspect of habitat restoration—seed collection. Come any time between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (open-house-style), but the event will begin to wind down around 6:30 p.m. Event Details: Where: Hickory Hill Conservancy, Cross Plains Segment , Dane County When: Thursday, September 24, 2026 Time: Open-house-style, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (But please reserve your spot!) Parking: on Hickory Hills Street . (Please don’t park in front of driveways.) Walk up the hill (steep climb) to the Conservancy and then on into the Andersen Preserve. Terrain: Expect a climb up to the Preserve; after that, the terrain is fairly level, but somewhat uneven.     What to Bring: Gardening gloves Closed-toed shoes Sun hat/sunscreen Bug spray Long pants, long-sleeve shirt (we will be in tall grass) Personal drinking water and container Rain gear – we will work in light rain; please check the forecast. Beyond a light rain, the event will be canceled.