Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Work Day

media release: Dane County purchased this 625-acre property in 2023. It is just upstream from the Davidson Wildlife Unit, where we have had several workdays and it is just downstream from where Badger Mill Creek enters Sugar River, which is also owned by the County and open to the public. The county is the process of restoring the Duerst 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 spring for a full workday of clearing the large box elders that are encroaching the river. We will be assisting them in this on this exciting workday, more details to follow.

Clearing out the invasive understory is necessary 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. Removing the berm will reconnect the river with the floodplain, allowing cold water springs to again flow to the river. 

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

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.

Last 2025 Workday: Nov 15 Duerst – returning to the Duerst to complete our work.