Public Invited to Garlic Mustard Workdays at Union Conservancy

Chippewa Valley residents are invited to help steward the Town of Union Conservancy by helping pull garlic mustard, an invasive species found throughout the property, during two special workdays in May.

Landmark Conservancy, a nonprofit conservation organization, is spearheading the effort encouraging community members to enjoy the great outdoors and pull garlic mustard at the conservancy, located at 1910 White Pine Drive, just south of Crescent Avenue west of Eau Claire.  Dates for the workdays are two consecutive Wednesdays, May 15 and 22, 4 to 6 p.m. both days.

“This is an opportunity for individuals to gather in the community to do something good for our environment,” said Sara Norman, Community Engagement Manager for Landmark Conservancy. “Invasive garlic mustard outcompetes and replaces native species. Each plant can produce upwards of 1,000 seeds. Removing this plant is essential for the health of the forest and will promote species diversity. We’re hoping for a lot of help, plus who doesn’t love a spring evening in the woods?”

No previous experience is required to take part in the workdays. Identification and removal technics will be shared at the beginning of each session. Participants are asked to register in advance at the Landmark Conservancy website (landmarkwi.org/events/).  Volunteers should dress for the weather in clothes that can get dirty and bring their own work gloves.

The workdays will be held if there is light rain but will be rescheduled if the weather is severe. Cancellations will be posted on Landmark’s Facebook page @LandmarkConservancyWI.

The Town of Union Conservancy is a large, wooded park featuring eight trails of various lengths and challenges along the Chippewa River. The 125-acre protected area is open to the public for low-impact nature-based outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, birding and snowshoeing thanks to Landmark Conservancy and their partnership with the Town of Union.

Landmark Conservancy has protected over 41,000 acres to date in 20 counties. The organization conserves land in perpetuity by protecting significant ecological features, natural communities, and habitat. Primary tools used for land protection are conservation easements and land acquisition.