By Topf Wells

The SWTU Board recently donated $10,000 of the dollars we raise with your help to improve habitat and fishing.

Healthy streams need healthy stream banks. A proliferation of box elders and invasive plants like honeysuckle and buckthorn can create unstable stream banks, increase erosion and sedimentation, and choke out  natives that are better for the banks and the trout living in the stream. They can also make access to and fishing the stream tortuous.

SWTU addresses these problems with many of our work days but our streams need more help. For several years TUDARE and the DNR have fielded a winter brushing crew to clear many DNR easements on nearby trout streams and to inspect those easements for any other problems. TU Chapters provide much of the funding.

The DNR’s recent report on the work of the crew this winter is available here for your reading pleasure.

The SWTU Board continued our support of this excellent program by donating $4,000 to next season’s crew.

Great workers also need great tools. The DNR’s brush mower had just died. Some good DNR shopping found a great new mower and chipper available for about $6,000. The Board has donated that amount. Assuming that the dreaded supply chain problems don’t arise, you’ll see the equipment in action at our work days on Big Spring and Conley Lewis.

The DNR and TUDARE are very grateful for SWTU’s support. The Board is very grateful for your support of SWTU. You are essential to the funds we provide for stream conservation and angling access.