By Topf Wells
Jim Hess had lots of help with one of the best SWTU workdays ever from Scout Troop 104, the DNR, and some great SWTU volunteers. And then, the Rudds, our kind and generous hosts put the icing on the cake (actually some scrumptiousHalloween cookies).
Whoever is in charge of the weather took great care of us. A chilly start rising to perfect fall temps, bright sun, and mild breezes resulted in comfortable conditions.
We had lots of brush to be cut and stacked and Scout Troop 104 showed up in full force to help out.
We had some big box elders to be cut and hauled out of the stream. Scott and Vince, the two DNR restoration biologists, showed up with their favorite skidsteer to handle those.
Our standard vexatious mix of invasive honeysuckle, buckthorn, and box elders besiged a stream bank – about a dozen SWTU members led the charge there.
The site was the Rudd easement (and thanks to the Rudds for selling the easement to the DNR and being great partners in the restoration) which the DNR, with help from SWTU, restored last fall and early this summer. The top of the easement had some old but still intact LUNKERs and some new work that the big box elders were going to fall at some point. We also had a long stream bank where willows, box elder, honeysuckle and buckthorn were probably going to attract beavers (willow = beaver candy, trick or treat indeed), were choking out native vegetation, and would be the ingredients for brush bundles for more trout habitat (to be installed in a spring workday).
Three hours of work produced fabulous results. The big box elders sleep with the fishes – well actually where they won’t ruin fish habitat. The stream bank has been cleared and we’ll be able to install brush bundles just where little brown trout want them.
We used a combination of chainsaws and loppers on the stream bank. With lots of brush haulers and stump sprayers we were extremely productive. As is always the case, a skidsteer or a tractor makes a huge and good difference when we have to take big box elders down.
Mike Meier, Curt Riedl and Bob Rudd were great sawyers. Gail and Jim led the Scout Troop and set a wonderful example for the Scouts, who responded with consistent effort. Zach Oluf gets a special shout out for great work and the happy birth of Isabella, their second child and first daughter. Warmest congratulations to Zach, Rachael, and Gus (proud big brother).
The Rudds and Marcie Hess then provided a spectacular lunch: pulled pork, macaroni and cheese (Good Lord, MACARONI AND CHEESE), baked beans, tossed salad, lemonade, and cookies. With the hard work and filling, delicious lunch, naps became the goals of many attendees.
Thanks to Jim for another great day and all the folks who made it a success.
We’ll see you at the Falk Wells Wildlife Area on the Sugar River on Saturday, November 12!
Photos courtesy Jim Beecher.
Workday + Picnic = Happy Trout + Happy Volunteers
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Posted: November 1, 2022 by Drew Kasel
By Topf Wells
Jim Hess had lots of help with one of the best SWTU workdays ever from Scout Troop 104, the DNR, and some great SWTU volunteers. And then, the Rudds, our kind and generous hosts put the icing on the cake (actually some scrumptiousHalloween cookies).
Whoever is in charge of the weather took great care of us. A chilly start rising to perfect fall temps, bright sun, and mild breezes resulted in comfortable conditions.
We had lots of brush to be cut and stacked and Scout Troop 104 showed up in full force to help out.
We had some big box elders to be cut and hauled out of the stream. Scott and Vince, the two DNR restoration biologists, showed up with their favorite skidsteer to handle those.
Our standard vexatious mix of invasive honeysuckle, buckthorn, and box elders besiged a stream bank – about a dozen SWTU members led the charge there.
The site was the Rudd easement (and thanks to the Rudds for selling the easement to the DNR and being great partners in the restoration) which the DNR, with help from SWTU, restored last fall and early this summer. The top of the easement had some old but still intact LUNKERs and some new work that the big box elders were going to fall at some point. We also had a long stream bank where willows, box elder, honeysuckle and buckthorn were probably going to attract beavers (willow = beaver candy, trick or treat indeed), were choking out native vegetation, and would be the ingredients for brush bundles for more trout habitat (to be installed in a spring workday).
Three hours of work produced fabulous results. The big box elders sleep with the fishes – well actually where they won’t ruin fish habitat. The stream bank has been cleared and we’ll be able to install brush bundles just where little brown trout want them.
We used a combination of chainsaws and loppers on the stream bank. With lots of brush haulers and stump sprayers we were extremely productive. As is always the case, a skidsteer or a tractor makes a huge and good difference when we have to take big box elders down.
Mike Meier, Curt Riedl and Bob Rudd were great sawyers. Gail and Jim led the Scout Troop and set a wonderful example for the Scouts, who responded with consistent effort. Zach Oluf gets a special shout out for great work and the happy birth of Isabella, their second child and first daughter. Warmest congratulations to Zach, Rachael, and Gus (proud big brother).
The Rudds and Marcie Hess then provided a spectacular lunch: pulled pork, macaroni and cheese (Good Lord, MACARONI AND CHEESE), baked beans, tossed salad, lemonade, and cookies. With the hard work and filling, delicious lunch, naps became the goals of many attendees.
Thanks to Jim for another great day and all the folks who made it a success.
We’ll see you at the Falk Wells Wildlife Area on the Sugar River on Saturday, November 12!
Photos courtesy Jim Beecher.
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