We are part of The Trust Project.
SUPERIOR — Explore the Brule River while protecting it from invasive plants during a series of volunteer opportunities led by Zach Stewart, natural resources specialist and aquatic invasive species coordinator for Douglas County.
Groups of volunteers will meet at designated locations and spend the day controlling invasive plants to restore and protect habitat along the “river of presidents.” Efforts will focus on yellow flag iris and narrow leaf cattail.
Participants should come dressed for the weather and prepared for a day on the river. Needed equipment includes the following:
- Canoe or kayak, personal flotation device, chest waders.
- Sturdy footwear, gloves, hat, sunglasses or eye protection.
- Shovels, hand saws, folding saws, pry bars; hand tools for digging/cutting invasive plants.
- Water, snacks, bag lunch.
Volunteers should arrive early to unload canoes and kayaks and plan to leave a shuttle vehicle at the takeout location. Anyone who needs help finding a canoe or tools to borrow for the day can contact Stewart at 715-395-1266 or zach.stewart@douglascountywi.org.
Work begins at 11 a.m. June 15 at Winneboujou Canoe Landing. Volunteers will paddle about four miles to the U.S. Highway 2 Canoe Landing and dig or cut invasive plants at specific locations along the way.
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A second group will tackle the same stretch of river beginning at 11 a.m. June 26. Volunteers will start at 11 a.m. at Winneboujou Canoe Landing and end at the U.S. Highway 2 Canoe Landing.
Volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. July 9 at Wildcat Landing, a private property near Big Lake. The group will cut invasive plants in the Big Lake area and finish back where they started. No shuttle vehicles will be necessary.
The last group of the season will meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 3 at Wildcat Landing for a second round of cutting invasive plants in the Big Lake area.
To register, email your name, phone number, email, number of people in the party and which event the group is volunteering for to zach.stewart@douglascountywi.org .
