Yes, there’s trout in the Upper Yahara River! The DNR has determined that the trout population in the Upper Yahara River, as it flows through De Forest, is healthy enough to be classified as a trout stream. With this news the Village of DeForest has decided to restore this stream and SWTU has made a significant donation to the Village toward this goal. It’s not often you find a new trout stream. We will be working with the village staff clearing honeysuckles and other invasive woodies. We need a big turnout to show our support for this project.

We are watching the weather and will send an email if rain forces us to shift this to another date. If you are interested in carpooling to the workday, contact Dyan Lesnik (dmlgriffin@gmail.com) and she will try to find a contact for you.

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026

Time: 9 am to 12 noon (Sawyers that have completed a chainsaw safety course, please arrive at8:30. If needed we can provide the equipment).

Where: We will meet at River’s Turn Park, 4601 Innovation Drive. The work site is on the Upper Yahara River Trail, so only official vehicles are allowed on the trail. Village staff will provide transportation to and from the worksite. So be there on time, otherwise listen for our chainsaws. It is about a 100-yard walk south along the trail.

Here is a Google Maps link to this location. The map shows the parking area and the location of the work site.

What: We will be working with Greg Hall, Deputy Director of Public Services, and some of his staff clearing honeysuckles and other invasive woodies, and creating burn piles. The honeysuckles are quite numerous and large, similar to what we encountered at Kittleson Branch at our last workday. So, get a good night rest.

Bring: Bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, and eye and ear protection. Also bring reusable water bottles that can be filled from our 5-gal water jug. Stay hydrated.

Parking: As indicated above, we will be parking at 4601 Innovation Drive and Village staff will drive us to the work site. Park on the southside of the road to allow for safe traffic flow.

Upcoming Workdays

Saturday, April 25 – 9am to 12 noon – Garfoot Creek, Dane County, where it crosses County Rd KP between Cross Plains and Black Earth. Working with DNR Fish Biologist, Kyle Olivencia, clearing box elders and invasive woodies just north of where Garfoot crosses County Road KP. Same location where we worked last year and is one of the earliest easements along Black Earth Creek and has a lot of history.

*Wednesday, June 9 – 9am to 3pm Special STIHL Workday* – Sugar River, Duerst property, 7309 Riverside Road. Just south of Verona on Hwy 69. Note: this is on a Wednesday. We will be working with a team of STIHL professional chain sawyers clearing large box elders. We have had three workdays at this site clearing the understory of invasive woodies, so the professional sawyers can focus on the box elders. Should be an exciting day.

Saturday, May 16 – 9am to 12 noon – Tree Planting – Smith Conley Creek, near 2800 County Rd H, Barneveld. Along with the Nohr Chapter, we will be assisting Justin Haglund, DNR Fish Biologist, with planting trees. This stretch of stream has been cleared of box elders and invasive woodies by our chapter and the DNR brush clearing crew and is now ready for native oaks.

Saturday, May 30– 9am to 12 noon – Big Spring Branch, Iowa County (5465 Big Spring Rd.) This will be a joint workday with the Nohr Chapter, clearing willows and other invasive woodies. We have had several joint workdays at this site and hopefully with a big turnout we can finish the job. Justin Haglund, DNR Fish Biologist, and Lloyd Meng, Fisheries Technician, will be directing and assisting us, along with some other DNR staff.

Chainsaw training: SWTU requires that all our sawyers receive the certified training such as that offered by Dane County, which has posted a listing of classes. If you register, note that you are a volunteer with SWTU.