Congratulations to the 2024 Champion Pull-A-Thon Team!
Our Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon is an annual fundraiser event, where we encourage folks throughout southeastern Wisconsin to protect the woodlands of their neighborhoods by pulling this invasive plant. This spring, 747 dedicated residents formed eighteen volunteer teams to help raise funds and awareness while controlling 25,954 pounds of garlic mustard and dame’s rocket in natural areas. Volunteers recruited friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor their pulling efforts. $2,540 in pledged contributions was also collectively raised by team members and shared between SEWISC and the event partners. These funds will be used for adult and youth invasive species education, prevention, and control in southeastern Wisconsin. In the 12 years of this program, the amount of invasive plant material pulled has surpassed 114 tons! Natural areas will only avoid damage from invasive species with a long-term sustained commitment to control and management efforts.
This year, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust/River Revitalization Foundation Team pulled themselves to the top of the 2024 Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon competition. Led by Josh Schlicht, the team enlisted 147 volunteers and pulled 5,359 pounds of our target plants throughout a 177-acre management area.
Jeff Veglahn, Team Leader of our 2023 Champion Wehr Nature Center Team, graciously passed the traveling Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon trophy to Ozaukee Washington Land Trust/River Revitalization Foundation Team Leader, Josh Schlicht, during a ceremony on July 30. The trophy will be proudly displayed by Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and River Revitalization Foundation throughout the year.
Many thanks to all of you who got outdoors, pulled garlic mustard and dame’s rocket, told your neighbors about these invasive plants, and reported your progress as part of the 2024 event. And thank you to all who donated to your favorite 2024 Team! Remember, it's never too early to start planning for next year's Pull-A-Thon competition - JOIN US!