Most Saturday mornings, Alex Kaiser wakes up bright and early to drink his morning coffee and prepare for a morning of environmental labor with the University of Wisconsin – Madison Arboretum. He takes part in the “Restoration Work Party” events hosted by the Arboretum to restore the natural landscape and engage in ecological stewardship by removing non-native invasive plant species in the local habitat.  

The Arboretum is a historically preserved landscape with multiple land cover classes within its boundaries, including tallgrass prairies, savannas, wetlands and several forest types. There are more than 1,200 acres and 513 acres across multiple properties and land within the Yahara Watershed.  

Kaiser is the Alternative Breaks Coordinator for the Volunteer Center, and he hopes to inspire other students to volunteer their time and effort towards natural landscape preservation. He recently started just this summer, joining his first work party on Saturday, September 2nd this year.  

Part of why Kaiser is so invested in this cause is because he wants to be part of a community that comes together to conserve the Earth through service work. He admits that sometimes it can feel overwhelming to think about the problems of the climate crisis, but he overcomes those feelings by taking direct action for the environment through regular, consistent acts of service.  

“[Volunteering] is a way to actually get outside of the mind space of powerlessness,” Kaiser explained. “This work isn’t going to necessarily save the world… but it’s a tiny step in the direction of making a difference, and over time, maybe it actually can do just that.” 

Kaiser also bikes to the volunteer sites to reduce the environmental impact on the environment and because he enjoys staying physically active. The worksites vary each Saturday, with each area containing different plant species to be removed, some of which include oriental bittersweet, buckthorn, grapevine, and false climbing buckwheat. 

The volunteer work parties occur the first four Saturday mornings of each month, February through December. Contact Alex at the Volunteer Center [email protected] to join the Work Party crew.