SWTU, P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744-5555 president@swtu.org

Dig In – Our First Workday of 2021

Sugar River through Neperud property

By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair

Join us Saturday, April 10, for our first workday in over a year. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. But we still have C-19 issues to deal with. Many of us have already received our shots, but we need to follow Dane County and CDC protocols. Per Dane County protocols, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask. If you forget to bring one and want to wear a mask, extras will be available. Bring your own water and snacks; we will not have a common break area for refreshments. When signing in, we will ask for your email just in the unlikely chance we will need it for contact tracing.

Bring your own shovels – if you need to use someone else’s shovel we will have disinfectant available. If you don’t have a shovel, no problem there will be plenty of other work to do.

What: We will be helping the DNR to plant about 150 trees along the south side of Black Earth Creek, just west of Cross Plains on County Rd. KP. We will break out into small teams, so you should be able to stay socially distanced. The holes for the trees will be pre-drilled, but we will need shovels to fill in the holes.

Start Time: 8:30 am or whenever you can make it. The event will take place Rain or Shine, the trees need to get into the ground!

Location: Take KP west out of Cross Plains 3/4 of a mile (if you pass Garfoot Creek you have gone too far). We will be planting in the DNR easement along Black Earth Creek on the north side of KP. Only park on the north side of the road, as KP is a fairly busy road. Just look for some vehicles in the easement area.

What to Bring: Shovels and work gloves, study footwear, eye protection, your own water and snacks. And did I say bring your shovels?

Parking: Park along Cty Rd KP on the north side of the road only.

Future workday plans
Saturday, April 23 (and maybe Sunday April 24) – SWTU tree planting on the German Valley Branch along Dane County Rd E and replacing the dead trees from our last planting along the Kittleson Creek along Dane County Rd H. Hoping to have the holes pre-drilled (Details to follow)

Saturday, May 22 and June 5 – Clearing invasive woodies East Branch of the Pecatonica River along Iowa County Rd K, south of Barneveld (Details to follow).

Saturday, May 8 and June 19 – Clearing invasive woodies and clearing the stream – Mt Vernon Creek (Details to follow).