May FVTU/CWTU Habitat Day Report
Submitted by: Dennis Drazkowski – CWTU Workday Coordinator
On Sat, May 18th the Central WI Trout Unlimited (CWTU) hosted its first habitat and restoration workday of the 2019 season at Bird Creek within the Wautoma city park by the same name on the west end of town. Also participating were members from the Elliott Donnelley, Fox Valley, Frank Hornberg and the Shaw-Paca chapters. Despite the cold and blustery day a total of 37 people participated. The DNR, led by Supervisor Shawn Sullivan, divided the group into 4 separate work crews and the crews spread out along the creek northward from Hwy. 21. Over the years there has been considerable brush overgrowth along with bank erosion and areas of stream widening. CWTU had raised a total of $8,000 to support the Bird Creek restoration work. This includes a TU Embrace-a-Stream grant and a Trout and Salmon Foundation grant along with matching funds from the CWTU and EDTU chapters. During this workday all of the crews created brush bundles from adjacent vegetation, primarily using invasive species, and strategically placed those bundles in Bird Creek to help reduce erosion and increase channel flow. The brushing made access to the stream easier and improved fishability.
During the morning briefing, the Elliott Donnelley TU chapter presented CWTU’s president, Stan Cichowski, with a generous donation from their chapter in the amount of $4,000 to be used for future stream habitat and restoration efforts.
Following the morning’s work activities all participants enjoyed a streamside lunch of delicious fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, chips and a variety of desserts. This was the perfect recipe for camaraderie, fellowship, fish tales, and learning about new fishing spots.
On this day TU’s mission of conserving and protecting our cold water resources was accomplished – thanks everyone!
Dennis Drazkowski – CWTU Workday Coordinator
262.409.0558
