Welcome to Holy Wisdom Monastery

Caring for the earth is part of our mission, rooted in Benedictine values of stability and respect for all of creation. The sisters have a long history of environmental stewardship and invite others to help with this work. The monastery grounds consist of more than 130 acres of land, including Lost Lake, the restored prairie and savanna areas, woodlands, buildings, gardens, orchards and nature trails. Coworkers and volunteers help maintain an additional 60 acres of Dane County Park land that is adjacent to the monastery.

The grounds are home to a diverse ecosystem of plants, fish, animals, humans and other creatures living in a harmonious environment. We hope that all who experience Holy Wisdom Monastery’s grounds will grow to respect and nurture this delicate harmony.

Thank you for visiting and being part of this land story

Does this land bring you peace?

Holy Wisdom Monastery flourishes due to the generosity of visitors and our community. There are multiple ways to help sustain the land. Learn more about how to help and get more involved.

Join the Friends of Wisdom Prairie

Since 2014, Friends of Wisdom Prairie have supported the sisters’ mission to care for the earth by contributing financial support, volunteer labor and a growing community of advocates.

Friends work to maintain and restore the land. Help create an oak savanna, or plant native prairie, while learning and having fun. Join today!

Give a gift

Holy Wisdom Monastery is a nonprofit organization and relies on donations from generous people who visit. Consider a gift to help us preserve the beautiful, peaceful grounds.

Volunteer on the land

Our work is possible because of the hundreds of volunteers who join us in caring for the earth.

Help us preserve the natural environment at Holy Wisdom Monastery by volunteering alone or with a group. Opportunities include seeding prairie and oak savanna, collecting prairie seed, picking apples, splitting logs, pruning bushes, gardening, monitoring and maintaining nature trails.

Get our weekly enewsletter

Stay connected to the monastery, our communities and the land even when you can’t be here by signing up for our weekly enewsletter, Weekly Wisdom!

This email highlights the monastery’s mission and ministries. You’ll get timely news, upcoming events, happenings on the prairie, nature photos, articles about spirituality, information about the natural world and so much more!

Attend an upcoming event

For more information about Wisdom Prairie at Holy Wisdom Monastery, contact Dr. Amy Alstad at aalstad@holywisdommonastery.org, 608-836-1631, x123.