Contact:
Jill Hapner, Ph.D.
262.227.6404
Jill.Hapner@sewisc.org
Ambitious Milwaukee team wins regional Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon championship
MILWAUKEE — The Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon is an annual competition and fundraiser that encourages people throughout southeastern Wisconsin to protect our woodlands by pulling non-native invasive plants. A traveling trophy is given annually to the team who pulls the most bags of garlic mustard/dame’s rocket and also pulls in donations for education during the event.
This year, the Wehr Nature Center Team, which pulled 4,185 pounds by their 57 volunteers, won the regional competition. The trophy will be awarded to Team Leader Jeffrey Veglahn, by the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium Inc. (SEWISC) Board of Directors, 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 21, at Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, WI 53132.
SEWISC is a broad-based coalition that promotes efficient and effective management of invasive species throughout an eight-county region including Sheboygan, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties. SEWISC provides the opportunity for partners to share and leverage limited resources raise awareness about invasive species problems and provide a mechanism for collaborative problem-solving on both public and private lands.
This spring, 480 dedicated residents formed sixteen volunteer teams to help raise funds and awareness while controlling 18,097 pounds of garlic mustard and dame’s rocket in natural areas. Volunteers recruited friends, family and colleagues to sponsor their pulling efforts to make a real difference in the protection of the wild areas. In the 11 years of this program, the amount of invasive plant material pulled has surpassed 101 tons! Natural areas will only avoid damage from invasive species with a long-term sustained commitment to control and management efforts.
$1,810 in pledged contributions were raised by team members and shared between SEWISC and the sixteen team partners. The funds will be used for invasive species education, prevention and control in southeastern Wisconsin.
For more information about invasive species education and management in southeastern Wisconsin, go to www.sewisc.org.
