By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair

Below is information for our first workday of our spring season. It will be at the Duerst property on the Sugar River located at 7309 Riverside Rd. We are hoping for a big turn out as there are a lot of invasive honeysuckles to be removed and burn piles to be built. The workday will be lead by Dane County staff.

Saturday, April 5, 2025 – Sugar River, Duerst Property

Time: 9 am to 12 noon (sawyers that have completed a chainsaw safety course please arrive at 8:30, if needed we can provide a chainsaw and safety equipment).

Where: Sugar River, Duerst property, 7309 Riverside Road. Take US 151 (Verona Rd) to Hwy 69, go south about 1 mile to Riverside Rd, turn right (west) and go about ½ mile. Here is a Google Map Link to this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9o9sJJ19ZzTJvo8G7

What: Dane County purchased this 625-acre property in 2023. It is just upstream from the Davidson Wildlife Unit, where we have had several workdays. The county is the process of restoring this property for public use. We will be clearing honeysuckles and other invasive woodies and creating burn piles. James Brodzelller, Watershed Coordinator, will be leading the workday.

A little more background on this workday…SWTU and the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department worked together to secure a grant through TUDARE for a STIHL workday at this property. STIHL will provide 10 professional sawyers next fall for a full workday of clearing large box elders that are encroaching the river. So, this workday will start the process of clearing out the invasive understory so the STIHL crew can focus on the large box elders. After the large box elders are cleared, the plan is to remove the berm which was installed years ago to keep the flood waters off of this property, which will reconnect the river with the floodplain.

Bring: Work gloves, sturdy shoes, eye and ear protection, and reusable water bottles that can be filled from our 5-gal water jug. Stay hydrated. Also, there may be some wet spots, so bring your rubber boots or waders if you have them.

Parking: Plan to park on the gravel road that leads to the river.

Future Workdays:

• Tuesday, April 22 (1:00pm – 2:30pm) – Gordon Creek, Cty Rd A. This will be an Earth Day Event. Students from Hollandale Elementary will be helping to plant swamp white oak trees. The DNR will pre-drill the holes and demonstrate a stream shocking for the students.
• April 26 (9am – 12 noon) – Conley Lewis. This will be a joint workday with the Nohr Chapter, removing box elders. Working with Justin Haglund and his crew.
• May 10 (9am – 12 noon) – Kittleson Creek. Removing willows and clearing a large stand of honeysuckles. We are coordinating with James Brodzeller, Dane County.
• May 17 (9am – 12 noon) – Big Spring DNR tree planting. Justin Haglund and his crew will be leading this workday. The DNR will predrill the holes and provide fencing and t-posts.
• May 24 (9am – 12 noon) – Duerst Property, same as April 5
• June 7 (9am – 12 noon) – Kittleson Creek or continue working on the Duerst Property if needed.