Spring Invasive Species Removals 2025
Help save some of our local wild areas from being overrun with invasive plants. Volunteers are needed to help remove garlic mustard, dames rocket, and celandine. This is a wonderful way to be outdoors, meet new people, and help the local eco-system.
The Fond du Lac County Audubon Society is sponsoring these sessions:
Hobbs Woods
Meet at Hobbs Woods, N4197 South Hickory Road.
April 12 (Saturday), April 14 (Monday), April 16 (Wednesday), April 21 (Monday), April 23 (Wednesday), then May 29 (Thursday), May 31 (Saturday), June 2 (Monday), June 4 (Wednesday), and final cleanup on June 21 (Saturday).
Lallier Park
Meet at the southern end of the park on National Avenue
April 28 (Monday), May 1 (Thursday), May 3 (Saturday), and final cleanup on June 18 (Wednesday)
Kay’s Ledge
N7836 WH: Drive east on Cty WH, up the ledge .9 miles from the 151 bypass to the entrance on the west side. Watch for Audubon signs by the road. No dogs will be allowed.
April 25 (Friday), May 7 (Wednesday), and May 21 (Wednesday)
Pebbles Trail
Meet at the intersection with Prairie Road (1/4 mile south of Winnebago Drive).
May 10 (Saturday), May 15 (Thursday)
Pebbles Trail
Meet at the intersection with County Road K (1/3 mile south of Winnebago Drive)
May 17 (Saturday), May 24 (Saturday)
Kettle Moraine Adopted Area
Check with Diana Beck for directions to our meeting site in the Kettle Moraine.
Mondays: May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, and a final gleaning session on June 16 at 9:00 am.
All sessions will run from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in April and May. The June sessions will run from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Cancelled in the event of steady rain. Please bring work gloves. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt are recommended because sometimes we are pulling in areas with stinging nettle plants. Garden boots are also helpful. Bring a Hori Hori if you own one or a garden trowel. The tool can help remove the roots. No experience is necessary. Do not bring dogs.
For more information call 920-922-7931 or email dianahbeck@gmail.com.
Fall Buckthorn Removal. What is Buckthorn?
Buckthorn is one of the most invasive non-native plants in our local prairies, woodlands, and yards. It shades and crowds out native plants, creating a dense, dull monoculture with barren erosive soil beneath. Fall is the best time to target the plant for removal. Join the work parties to help us restore the habitat along the Peebles Trail.
Buckthorn was brought to this country from Germany in the 19th century. The small tree/shrub makes a good hedge and the berries have a laxative effect. Over the years, the berries have been spread by birds and now buckthorn can be found all over our city and county. The problem comes from a lack of natural controls such as insects that might eat it, and results in thick infestations that crowd out native species.
Dave Stetter Environmental Education Fund
Dave Stetter, a science teacher at Goodrich High School from 1967 to 2000, was a long-time member and conservation chair for Fond du Lac County Audubon Society. Dave was instrumental in developing facilities and curriculum for the Eldorado and Goodrich Nature Centers. He started an Environmental Awareness Club at Goodrich and organized the first Earth Day activities there in 1970. Dave strongly believed in hands-on outdoor education activities for youth to develop an understanding and appreciation of the natural world. He hoped that such experiences would promote life-long environmental ethics and activism. To honor the memory of Dave Stetter and to promote the conservation values he held so dear, Fond du Lac County Audubon, in conjunction with Dave’s family, has established a fund to support outdoor education experiences for youth. Fond du Lac Audubon plans to use these funds for environmental camp scholarships, field trips to established nature centers, or hands-on outdoor nature programs for youth. Those willing to contribute to the fund may send checks to Mike Sweney, Fond du Lac Audubon treasurer at N5545 Winnvue Ct., Fond du Lac, WI 54937. Make checks payable to Dave Stetter EE Fund.
The Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum
This beautiful native prairie restoration will benefit from your talents and skills. Visit their website to find out how you can make a difference.
Volunteers help to rid the prairie of alien weed species.
Audubon Board and Committees
Any interested community member is invited to attend a Board meeting to find out more about being involved; please contact Diana Beck. Our organization seeks volunteers for our Board and for Committees including marketing – Evelyn McLean-Cowan and education – Margie Winter.