Cutting and Treating Brush

Saturday, November 4

Location: Sylvan Conservation Area

Join the Southwest Chapter and Trout Unlimited at Whitford Creek, a small brook trout stream that feeds into Dodge Branch Creek in the Sylvan Conservation Area.

Dodge Branch has fishing easements upstream and downstream of this inlet. The Sylvan Conservation Area is owned and managed by The Prairie Enthusiasts. This area has about 100 acres and is open to many forms of outdoor recreation, including fishing. There is an old railroad bed that provides an easy walking trail.

This will be a combined workday with the Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited and The Prairie Enthusiasts. Tom Hunt, a Land Steward with The Prairie Enthusiasts, will be leading this workday.

We will be clearing box elders and honeysuckles along the stream corridor. There will be lots of chainsaw work, taking down moderate size box elders. There are several species of trees (butternuts and oaks) and shrubs not to be cut, so always check first before cutting. Be sure to explore Dodge Branch Creek at the end of the workday, it is quite specular.

WHAT TO BRING

Rubber boots as there may be some wet spots. We will be working on both sides of the stream, there is bridge that will allow access to both sides. But it never hurts to bring waders, just in case. Also bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, and eye and ear protection. And reusable water bottles that can be filled from our 5-gal water jug. Stay hydrated.

DIRECTIONS

Whitford Creek located within The Prairie Enthusiasts’ Sylvan Conservation Area, which is located near the intersection of Banner and Sylvan Roads in Iowa County. The work area is about 1/8 mile west of this intersection on Sylvan Rd. Coming from Madison take US 18 west toward Barneveld, on the east side of Barneveld turn left on County Rd K; go south 11 miles toward Hollandale. Just on the north side of Hollandale, take State Hwy 191 west 2.5 miles to Banner Rd. Turn south on Banner Rd and go ¾ mile to Sylvan Rd. Coming from the west, take Hwy 191 east out of Dodgeville 9 miles to Banner Rd and turn right and go ¾ mile to Sylvan Rd. Yes, fairly complicated, but worth the drive. Here is a Google Map

Parking: Park on the north side of Sylvan Rd.

WORK PARTY LEADER

You should email Tom Hunt if you plan to join this work party. That way, if anything changes with the weather, etc. you will be informed.