Wiouwash State Trail Garlic Mustard Pull CITO Event

WHERE: Wiouwash State Trail - Brooks Road Parking area north of Oshkosh - 1 mile West of Cty Rd. T DATE: Saturday, May 4th, 2013 TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. HOST: -cheeto-

Join us in helping the Winnebago County Master Gardeners pull Garlic Mustard along the Wiouwash State Trail for a 2nd year. Despite the rain last year we made a significant impact and had a bit of fun! There are several geocaches along this stretch of trail as well. Please bring work gloves and dress in clothing/shoes/boots you're not afraid to get muddy. Parking may be limited based on number of volunteers who show up so if you can carpool to the event please do so.

Some information on the "Invasive Species" Garlic Mustard:
Garlic Mustard is an invasive plant that was brought over to the United States by European settlers as an herb. Unfortunately, garlic mustard has spread virtually unchecked across the country and is a serious threat to the natural habitat. Many land managers consider garlic mustard one of the most difficult to control invasive weeds, and hand pulling the weed is often the best way to control the spread. Not only do these invasive weeds choke out native wildflowers, out-competing them for space and sunlight, but they also excrete chemicals through their roots further preventing wildflower growth. Garlic mustard spreads into high quality woodlands upland and floodplain forests, not just into disturbed areas. Invaded sites undergo a decline in native herbaceous cover within 10 years. Garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for native insects and thereby birds and mammals.

About the Wiouwash State Trail:
The Wiouwash State Trail is named for Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Shawano counties. This trail, built on a former rail corridor is maintained and operated by the four counties the trail traverses. A State Trail pass is not required for the Wiouwash Trail. There are many Geocaches hidden along the Wiouwash Trail.

Images from last year's Garlic Mustard Pull CITO: