Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Work Day

media release: SWTU Workday September 23, 2023 – Davidson Wildlife Unit – Sugar River

Time: 9am to 12 noon (Chapter Approved Sawyers please arrive at 8:30).

Where:  We will be working at the Dane County Davidson Wildlife Unit on the Sugar River. Located just south of Verona on Highway 69 on Oak Grove Rd, 1.3 miles south of Highway 151. There is no road sign for Oak Grove Rd, it is the first road past Riverside Rd., then turn right (west) and go about 600 feet to the end of the road, you will see an old stone building on the right. The fire number is 1855 Hwy 69, Verona. Here is a Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CLFjuJkucPe7yEQJ8

What:  We will be cutting box elders, honeysuckles, and other invasive woodies and build a brush bundle. This will be our fourth brush bundle installation at the Davidson Wildlife Unit. Every installation has been very successful. Brush bundles extend and protect the streambank from erosion, and redirects the flow of the river to the main channel flushing out the silt and exposing the gravel bottom, which is required by spawning trout. The brush bundles also provided habitat for young trout. Over the course of a year or so, the brush bundles collect sediment and builds out the streambank. 

So, some of us will be in the water and some will be on dry land. Your choice.

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:  There is plenty of parking by the stone house, which was once a stage coach way station. 

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Future Workdays (detailed information will be provided later): 

Oct 7 - Big Spring Creek, Iowa County, removing willows. A joint workday with the Nohr Chapter

Oct 21 - Hefty Creek, Rudd Easement, Green County, removing box elders and invasive woodies and installing brush bundle upstream from where we worked last spring. Vince Schmitz, DNR Fish Biologist, Habitat Specialist will be assisting us.

Nov 4 - Whitford Creek,TPE Sylvan Conservation Area, on Sylvan Road. Removing box elders and willows from the stream. We had two workdays there last spring and this will finish up this project.

Dec 2 - Kittleson Creek, Cty Rd H, Dane County, removing willows just west of the bridge on Kittleson Road. The willows will be stacked, with the assistance of the landowner with his skid steer, and used next spring to build a brush bundle.