Kaden Fischer, Field Technician at Swamplovers Preserve.
We are excited to welcome Kaden Fischer to the Alliance as our new Field Technician at Swamplovers Preserve!
Originally from Kewaskum, Wisc., Kaden moved to the Northside of Madison about six or seven years ago. Since he was a little kid, Kaden always found himself “hiking the Ice Age Trail with my family.”
His love for the outdoors manifested itself not only through hiking and fishing, but also a career in conservation. Kaden started conservation work back in 2021 through the organization Operation Fresh Start. He participated in their Legacy Program, which allowed him to finish high school through a mixture of personalized academic work and hands-on conservation work. For example, Kaden participated in invasive species removal and native seed planting.
Kaden continued to develop his career with Operation Fresh Start’s Conservation Academy. The Academy offers young adults interested in pursuing a career in conservation, land management, parks, forestry, or landscaping full-time, hands-on, paid training with industry professionals and in local natural areas. Through this program, Kaden received chainsaw training and earned other credentials.
The Field Technician job will allow Kaden to further his career aspirations, like his goal of becoming a conservation warden or park ranger. In this role, he will work alongside the Alliance’s Field Manager and Land Restoration Specialist to assist with vegetative restoration of the Alliance-owned Swamplovers Preserve in Cross Plains, Wisc., near the Table Bluff Segment (coincidentally, Kaden’s favorite segment). This restoration work will include controlling invasive species, working with youth and adult volunteers, and collecting native seeds to promote and enhance biodiversity.
In his new role, Kaden shared he is “excited to learn about prescribed burning and, hopefully, work towards future certifications and training.” He is also “looking forward to working with volunteers and developing skills that will help me seek future employment in a conservation field.”
We look forward to working with Kaden to conserve, create, maintain, and promote the Ice Age Trail!
