Madison Reporter

The Prairie Ridge Conservation Park in Madison is currently undergoing preparations for the prescribed burn season. Molly Berkholtz, a Conservation Technician with the City of Madison Parks Division, is leading efforts to manage invasive shrubs and establish native grasses in the area.

"This park has a huge prairie to it—and here in the middle of the prairie is a plum thicket—unfortunately this has a bunch of buckthorn and honeysuckle in it," Berkholtz explained. "Today we’re out here burning all that brush—and using the snow to put out the fires."

Berkholtz's passion for outdoor work stems from her upbringing in Deforest, Wisconsin. "My mom took me on my first overnight canoe trip when I was 12 weeks old," she shared. Her love for nature was further nurtured during her ten years as a Girl Scout, where she engaged in activities like camping and tree identification.

Her interest continued through high school, where an environmental class taught by Mr. Kvalheim influenced her career path. She later pursued environmental science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and held various positions within the City of Madison before becoming a Conservation Technician.

Reflecting on Women in Construction Week, Berkholtz stated: "I think Women in Construction Week is focusing on women who are doing jobs that historically haven’t been presented as options to them." She encourages others to explore different fields within construction: "You don’t know if you love something or hate something until you do it."

Berkholtz finds satisfaction in witnessing environmental transformations: "I love being able to see the transformation of an area, from something that hasn’t been managed for a long time and bringing it back to a state prior to settlement."

As part of National Women in Construction Week from March 2-8, 2025, Madison will highlight five women's contributions to the industry.