Congratulations to the 2025 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, 634 dedicated residents formed nineteen volunteer teams to help raise funds and awareness while controlling 18,956 pounds of garlic mustard and dame’s rocket in natural areas. Volunteers recruited friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor their pulling efforts. $2,489 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 13 years of this program, the amount of invasive plant material pulled has surpassed 124 tons! Natural areas will only avoid damage from invasive species with a long-term sustained commitment to control and management efforts.
This year, the Elm Grove Beautification Committee Team pulled themselves to the top of the 2025 Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon competition. Led by Nicci Sternitzky, the team enlisted 22 volunteers and pulled 2,180 pounds of our target plants throughout 82 acres in the Village of Elm Grove.
Josh Schlicht, Team Leader of our 2024 Champion Restoring Lands Team, graciously passed the traveling Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon trophy to Nicci Sternitzky during a ceremony on July 27. The trophy will be proudly displayed in the Village of Elm Grove 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 2025 event. And thank you to all who donated to your favorite 2025 Team! Remember, it's never too early to start planning for next year's Pull-A-Thon competition - JOIN US!