Our Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon is an annual event, where we encourage folks throughout southeastern Wisconsin to protect the woodlands of their neighborhoods by pulling this invasive plant.  This year, our goal is to collectively pull 5,000 pounds and raise $48,000 for your favorite neighborhood natural area and for SEWISC in the fight against invasives! 

The pull-a-thon is a competition, a fundraiser, and a way for people to join together and have a positive impact on their environment.  Our natural areas will only avoid damage from invasives with a long-term sustained commitment to invasives control.  Help raise funds for a sustainable invasives program at the same time that you help to reduce garlic mustard seed production in 2013.

Garlic mustard
(Alliaria petiolata)Garlic mustard monoculture in
Colonial Park, Racine

Raise funds for SEWISC, the only regional organization dedicated to invasive species prevention, education, management and control in southeastern Wisconsin, while you help to control garlic mustard and also raise funds for your local natural areas.  Recruit friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your pulling efforts.  A small contribution from 10 of your friends in support of this important work will add up to a substantial fund for crucial management of invasive species in our region.  This is a fun way that you can make a real difference in the protection of the wild areas that you love. 

All proceeds will be shared between SEWISC and their partners and the funds will be used for invasive species education, prevention and control in southeastern Wisconsin.  All pledge contributions are tax-deductible.  A trophy and bragging rights will be awarded to the team with the most bags of pulled garlic mustard/dame’s rocket by June 30, 2013.

Two young brothers controlling garlic mustard
in Washington CountyStudents bagging garlic mustard
in Racine County

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive plant that’s taking over our natural area woodlands.  It crowds out our beautiful native wildflowers and endangers forests by preventing tree seedlings from growing.  To make matters worse, none of our native insects or wildlife eat it!  Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis), another invasive member of the mustard family, can be pulled and bagged along with garlic mustard during the competition, giving each team extra points and a rocket boost!  Help us remove these invaders from priority locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin as part of an effort to keep our local natural areas healthy.

Dame’s rocket
(Hesperis matronalis)
Dedicated volunteer pulling dame’s rocket in southeastern Wisconsin

Find a pull-a-thon location near you!

Pull-A-Thon Teams are currently forming throughout southeastern Wisconsin.  Please contact a Team Leader below to join an effort and continue to check back for new opportunities as they are posted.  After choosing your team(s), print your pull-a-thon pledge form(s) and instructions: SEWISC GM Pull-a-thon PledgeRules Form_2013, and start recruiting 10 or more sponsors!

Please feel free to join more than one team!

Got garlic mustard?  If you would like to volunteer as a Team Leader and add your worksite location to our event, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .   We will add your information to the list below.

Sheboygan County:

Location: Long Lake Campground and Beach in the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest (meet at the entrance station).

Date and time: May 18, 2013  from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Contact: Connie Ramthun, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 920-533-8939

Results:  148 pounds pulled!!!!!

Location: Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Ln, Sheboygan, WI 53081

Date and time: June 1, 2013 - Time to be announced

Contact: To be announced

Washington County:

Location: The South Holy Hill Segment of the Ice Age Trail (meet at trailhead on Shannon Road about ½ miles east of Hwy K)

Date and time:  Wednesday, May 15, Thursday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 5:00 PM 

Contact: Craig Sanford,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 262-370-3322

Preliminary Results:  173 pounds pulled!!!!!

Ozaukee County:

Location: Bratt Woods, 1610 East Cedar Creek Rd, Grafton WI 53024

Date and time: Friday, May 31, 2013 at 1:00 PM

Contact: Mike Hoffer, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 910-612-1909

Location: Donges Bay Gorge State Natural Area, 10352 North Wildwood Court, Mequon, WI 53092

Date and time: To be announced

Contact: Mike Hoffer, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 910-612-1909

Location: Mequon Nature Preserve, 8200 W. County Line Road, Mequon, Wisconsin

Date and Time: Saturday, April 27, 2013, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Contact: Jason Nickels, Mequon Nature Preserve, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 262-242-8055

Results:  50 pounds pulled!!!!!

Location: Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 County Hwy Y Saukville, WI  53080

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Contact: Mandie Zopp, Senior Naturalist,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 262-375-2715

Results:  165 pounds pulled!!!!!

Waukesha County:

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Milwaukee County:

Location: Kinnickinnic River Parkway, 43rd St. and W. Kinnickinnic River Pkwy.

Date and time: Saturday, April 27, 2013, Noon to 4:00 PM

Contact: Cassie Rincon, Alverno College Team Green,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Results:  51.5 pounds pulled!!!!!

Walworth County:

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Racine County:

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Kenosha County:

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