Congratulations to the 2020 Champions!

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.  Our 2020 goal was to collectively pull 20,000 pounds and raise essential funds for the fight against invasive species.  We are happy to report that our goal was not only met but greatly exceeded!  Pull-A-Thon Teams found creative and safe ways to continue protecting our natural areas.

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.

This year, 150 dedicated residents formed 12 volunteer teams which helped to raise funds and awareness while controlling 22,328 pounds (over 11 tons) of garlic mustard and dame's rocket in our neighborhood natural areas! Volunteers recruited friends, family, teachers, scouts and colleagues to sponsor their pulling efforts.  This is a fun way to make a real difference in the protection of the wild areas that we love.

$2,360 in pledged contributions was collectively raised this year 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. 

The Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon Trophy is a team-to-team award for outstanding dedicated efforts to control invasive species in southeastern Wisconsin. Each year, the team who pulls the hardest to manage invasive species and educate the public wins the trophy which traditionally travels throughout our eight-county region.

This year, Mr. Dargatz's Nature Kindergarten Team pulled themselves to the top of the 2020 Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon competition by yanking 2,110 pounds of garlic mustard and dame’s rocket and gaining $480.00 in pledges for their efforts!  This winning Team of Woodside Elementary kindergarten students recruited  parents and scout troops to pull the target invasive plants throughout their neighborhoods.  One talented student also starred in the instructional video: "How to identify and control tutorial".

Jean Weedman, Team Leader of our 2019 Champion Eagle Nature Trail Team, graciously passed the traveling trophy to Mr. Dargatz's Nature Kindergarten Team Leader Peter Dargatz during a ceremony officiated by SEWISC Board President, John Lunz on July 31. The Pull-A-Thon trophy will be proudly displayed by Woodside Elementary throughout the year.

Many thanks to all of you who got outdoors, safely pulled garlic mustard, told your neighbors about this invasive plant, and reported your progress as part of the 2020 event. And thank you to all who donated to your favorite 2020 Teams! Remember, it's never to early to start planning for next year's Pull-A-Thon competition - Plan to JOIN US!