VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for MacKenzie Center s Maple Education Program
Each spring the MacKenzie Center welcomes students to our sugarbush (a grove of maple trees) to learn the process and history of making maple syrup in Wisconsin through our annual Maple Education Program. During maple season, we tap over 100 trees and reach over 1,200 students in the education program. We typically collect around 1000 gallons of sap and produce around 35-40 gallons of pure maple syrup.
MacKenzie Center’s annual education program begins in March and your help is needed in many areas. Volunteers will be trained to conduct student tours, boil sap, process maple syrup, and/or assist with other behind the scenes sugarbush duties. Volunteers are needed throughout the month of March as we host 4th graders from all over South Central Wisconsin for this special spring program.
Maple field trips occur twice a day, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in March. Volunteers can sign up for just a few days or for the entire month of the education program. Many education volunteers will participate in 3 or more days throughout the month. No previous experience is necessary, but we do caution you that this experience is addicting! This is a great chance to learn from experienced volunteers and try something new. Our training session will be held this year at the MacKenzie Center lodge on Thursday, February 14th from 9am until 3pm.
If you are interested in this opportunity please email Hayley Parsons at hayley.parsons@wisconsin.gov or call (608) 635-8112 prior to February 13th.
The MacKenzie Center is located two miles east of Poynette on County Road CS. For more information on the MacKenzie Center please visit us on the web at http://dnr.wi.gov, and search MacKenzie.