By Topf Wells
Jim Hess celebrated his retirement from the Board with another great work day. As just about every active SWTU member has said lately, “Thank goodness he continues as Conservation Committee Chair!
About 24 TU members and friends spent this morning rescuing an oak savanna remnant on the banks of the Sugar River in the Falk/Wells Wildlife Area from an invasion–make that an occupation- by honeysuckle. I had thought loppers might have been adequate to tackle this honeysuckle. Oh no, it took all our sawyers to clear the impressive amount we did. The old growth honeysuckle proved perfectly capable of dulling chainsaw blades and taxing the backs and shoulders of the brush haulers.
As always all were stalwart performers but a few deserve special thanks and recognition. Mike and Hannah Engel are key staff respectively of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Mike has been a key partner with Dane County in planning and implementing all the restorations that have occurred and are planned for Falk/Wells Not only did they work beside us all morning and explained what we were trying to achieve, Mike brought a UTV and a tractor with a special brush-moving attachment. We had grim yet happy smiles watching Mike move and crush, move and crush the honeysuckle that had worn us down.
The work has made the site really pretty and made it possible to access the stream from that bank. A mink might have been able to squirm through the honeysuckle but not an angler (well not this portly angler). Hannah explained that the clearing will improve the health of the oaks. Some of these oaks are old and massive and I assumed at this point in their lives they were what they were. We learned that the clearing will allow the oaks to develop fuller and broader foliage and, in time, better production of acorns. Some native vegetation should also benefit. One example, a welcome sight, and a good omen for this project were the patch of trout lilies that had just emerged from under one of the oaks.
The spicy Mexican chocolate cookies that made their first appearance at a work day are the product of the Sugar River Bakery and available at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. They complement a cup of coffee perfectly.
Thanks to Jim, Mike, Hannah, and everyone for a great and productive day.
A look back at the last Stream Team workday
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Posted: May 2, 2019 by Drew Kasel
By Topf Wells
Jim Hess celebrated his retirement from the Board with another great work day. As just about every active SWTU member has said lately, “Thank goodness he continues as Conservation Committee Chair!
About 24 TU members and friends spent this morning rescuing an oak savanna remnant on the banks of the Sugar River in the Falk/Wells Wildlife Area from an invasion–make that an occupation- by honeysuckle. I had thought loppers might have been adequate to tackle this honeysuckle. Oh no, it took all our sawyers to clear the impressive amount we did. The old growth honeysuckle proved perfectly capable of dulling chainsaw blades and taxing the backs and shoulders of the brush haulers.
As always all were stalwart performers but a few deserve special thanks and recognition. Mike and Hannah Engel are key staff respectively of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Mike has been a key partner with Dane County in planning and implementing all the restorations that have occurred and are planned for Falk/Wells Not only did they work beside us all morning and explained what we were trying to achieve, Mike brought a UTV and a tractor with a special brush-moving attachment. We had grim yet happy smiles watching Mike move and crush, move and crush the honeysuckle that had worn us down.
The work has made the site really pretty and made it possible to access the stream from that bank. A mink might have been able to squirm through the honeysuckle but not an angler (well not this portly angler). Hannah explained that the clearing will improve the health of the oaks. Some of these oaks are old and massive and I assumed at this point in their lives they were what they were. We learned that the clearing will allow the oaks to develop fuller and broader foliage and, in time, better production of acorns. Some native vegetation should also benefit. One example, a welcome sight, and a good omen for this project were the patch of trout lilies that had just emerged from under one of the oaks.
The spicy Mexican chocolate cookies that made their first appearance at a work day are the product of the Sugar River Bakery and available at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. They complement a cup of coffee perfectly.
Thanks to Jim, Mike, Hannah, and everyone for a great and productive day.
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