Thank you for volunteering with Benedictine Women of Madison and for helping make our spring Community Workday a great success! 78 people attended the workday despite the cold, rainy weather.

The day started with a bird hike led by Mike McDowell of Eagle Optics. The group spotted 50 different species of birds, an increase from the 42 species seen last year and the 29 species seen the year before. Thanks Mike, for continuing to offer this special event before the workday.

Your hard work resulted in a very productive day. Work groups sealed 7 benches, planted 20 different species of prairie seed over 2.5 acres, weeded the Memorial Garden, pulled garlic mustard, cut, hauled and chipped invasive shrubs, painted the Hermitage basement, mulched seedlings and split firewood, replenishing one third of the firewood supply for the year.

Most of all, thank you to the volunteers and volunteer team leaders who made all of this work possible! Your efforts help preserve and protect this land for generations to come.

Next Community Workday, Saturday, October 18, 2008, 11:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m..