Habitat Improvement: Fall Seed Collecting – Holmes Preserve, Table Bluff Segment, Dane County

Help harvest native prairie seeds at the Holmes Preserve. A casual, open-house style volunteer event for all ages.

Help harvest native prairie seed at the Holmes Preserve , an Ice Age Trail Alliance property along the Table Bluff Segment in Dane County. Walk through flowing grasses—big blue stem—and exuberant stands of wildflowers, collecting seeds from prairie species such as cream gentian, goldenrod, and sky blue aster. 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.) Come any time during the stated times (open-house-style) to pick seed , but the event will begin to wind down around 6:30 p.m. (Register to reserve your spot!) This fun, easy, casual event allows volunteers of all ages and abilities to participate in an essential aspect of habitat restoration—seed collection. Event Details: Where: Holmes Preserve, Table Bluff Segment, Dane County When: Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: Open-house-style, come anytime between 3:00 pm and 7:00 p.m. Parking: Table Bluff North Parking area 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.