Join Riveredge’s conservation staff as we remove invasive buckthorn at Mayhew Woods. Buckthorn removal is one of the most important steps for restoring the land around us. Because of the expansive reach this plant has, the forest floor under the buckthorn is almost entirely bare. Removing buckthorn in the winter allows our team to spend less time managing the plant in the spring and summer, instead working to reintroduce native species in the newly cleared area!
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get outside and participate in local conservation efforts, you’ve come to the right place! Please dress for the elements and prepare to hike off trail. Tools and PPE provided.
*Weather Alternative Date: in the event of strong winds or extreme cold tempetures this volunteer opportunity will be rescheduled to Tuesday, January 27th 12pm-3pm*
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to participate. Pre-registration is required by January 22 at 11:59 pm as space is limited. Please reach out to Hannah hsedgwick@riveredge.us with any questions.
Join Riveredge’s conservation staff as we remove invasive buckthorn at Mayhew Woods. Buckthorn removal is one of the most important steps for restoring the land around us. Because of the expansive reach this plant has, the forest floor under the buckthorn is almost entirely bare. Removing buckthorn in the winter allows our team to spend less time managing the plant in the spring and summer, instead working to reintroduce native species in the newly cleared area!
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get outside and participate in local conservation efforts, you’ve come to the right place! Please dress for the elements and prepare to hike off trail. Tools and PPE provided.
*Weather Alternative Date: in the event of strong winds or extreme cold tempetures this volunteer opportunity will be rescheduled to Thursday, January 8th 1pm-3pm*
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to participate. Pre-registration is required by January 5 at 11:59 pm as space is limited. Please reach out to Hannah hsedgwick@riveredge.us with any questions.
RESCHEDULED TO DECEMBER 15 (Original date was December 11)
Join Riveredge’s conservation staff as we remove invasive buckthorn at Mayhew Woods. Buckthorn removal is one of the most important steps for restoring the land around us. Because of the expansive reach this plant has, the forest floor under the buckthorn is almost entirely bare. Removing buckthorn in the winter allows our team to spend less time managing the plant in the spring and summer, instead working to reintroduce native species in the newly cleared area!
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get outside and participate in local conservation efforts, you’ve come to the right place! Please dress for the elements and prepare to hike off trail. Tools and PPE provided.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to participate. Pre-registration is required by December 10 at 11:59 pm as space is limited. Please reach out to Hannah hsedgwick@riveredge.us with any questions.
Restoring Your Woodland Class 2: The Management Toolkit- Removal Strategies & Best Practices
This hands-on workshop is all about how to effectively and safely remove invasive plants using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. We’ll cover the full range of methods, from the “sweat equity” of hand-pulling and using specialized tools like an Uprooter, to the targeted and safe use of herbicides. A major focus will be on live demonstrations of the most effective techniques, like cut-stump and basal bark applications. We’ll also cover the most critical piece of the puzzle: timing. Learn why the dormant season is your best friend for woody removal and how you’ll tackle herbaceous weeds in the spring. You’ll leave with the confidence to choose the right tool for the right job.
Ages 18+
Member: $40 | Non-member: $50
Pre-registration required by February 18 at 11:59 pm.
Follow the instructions using the button below to login to your member account for member discounts on programs and events. You can use this login to check your membership status, see your expiration date, and renew your membership as well.
If you don’t see the member price after logging in, need help checking your membership status, or you are unsure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at rbuchholz@riveredge.us or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.
Restoring Your Woodland Class 1: Know Your Enemy- Invasive Plant ID & Property Assessment
The first step in taking back your woodland is knowing what you’re up against. This foundational class will train you to identify the “top tier” invasive threats in our counties woodlands—from woody invasive species (buckthorn, honeysuckle, barberry, autumn olive) to herbaceous (garlic mustard, dame’s rocket, celindine, burdock). Using live samples, we’ll show you the key features to look for in all seasons. We’ll also discuss why these plants win and how to think like an ecologist. The session culminates in learning a strategic “triage” approach to map your own property. You’ll leave with the confidence to identify your problem plants and a clear map of where to start for the biggest impact.
Ages 18+
Member: $40 | Non-member: $50
Pre-registration required by January 19 at 11:59 pm.
Follow the instructions using the button below to login to your member account for member discounts on programs and events. You can use this login to check your membership status, see your expiration date, and renew your membership as well.
If you don’t see the member price after logging in, need help checking your membership status, or you are unsure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at rbuchholz@riveredge.us or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.
YAY, it’s June! That means that the BugLady is out on the trails, walking slowly, looking at everything and photographing half of it. A probably-tasteful BOTW will be delivered to your inbox each Tuesday in June, but it won’t be a newly-minted, original episode.
It’s also June – National Invasive Species Action Month! “Alien,” “Introduced,” “Exotic,” and “Non-native” are all words we use to describe species that aren’t from around here, like alfalfa and Golden retrievers, but those words are not synonymous with the word Invasive. Having left their predators in the Old Country, invasive species achieve populations that negatively affect their habitat and native species. Not all invasive species are from another continent – Rusty crayfish, invasive in Wisconsin, hail from the southeastern part of the country.
And a picture of a really beautiful little beetle that arrived in the Detroit area from China about 20 years ago and that has changed the landscape here in Wisconsin and in much of North America east of the Great Plains – the Emerald ash borer (EAB) https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/emerald-ash-borer-redux-family-buprestidae/. When it first appeared, the DNR predicted that it would demolish 99.9% of Wisconsin’s ash trees. Their flight period is about to start.
And a Deer tick.
Not all invasive species are insects – see the Southeast Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (SEWISC) for information about invasives near you www.sewisc.org (they’d love a donation, too).
On Tuesday May 7th, 2024 from 9am-6:30pm Riveredge Nature Center will be hosting a Mustard Pull-A-Thon as a part of Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium’s Annual Garlic Mustard Pull-A-Thon. Learn more about SEWISC Pull-a-thon and Riveredge here!
With the help of extraordinary volunteers Riveredge will be able to reclaim a significant portion of the land at the Mayhew Woods from invasive Mustard plants.The pull-a-thon is a competition, a fundraiser, and a way for people to join together to have a positive impact on their environment. Our natural areas need your help to avoid the damage that invasives cause!
With timeslots at 9am, 11:30am, 2pm, and 4:30pm volunteers will join Riveredge staff for 2 hours of mustard pulling. All supplies will be provided! This opportunity is open to individuals and groups of up to 100 people at a time. Volunteers may be as young as 13 years old with supervision by an adult as well as a signed waiver for anyone under 18.
Pre-registration is required by May 3 at 11:55 pm.
Volunteers should park and meet at Fireman’s Park in Newburg (address below).
Please reach out to Hannah Sedgwick (hsedgwick@riveredge.us) with any questions or requested accommodations. We look forward to working with you in May!
Enjoy your Friday night by luminary light! Take in the beauty and serenity of a crisp winter evening on a self-guided 1.5 mile illuminated trail – a great adventure for both grownups and children. Traverse our trails on skis, snowshoes (6+ inches of snow), or your own two feet. A warm fire and hot cocoa will be awaiting you when you return.
Theme: Buckthorn Bonfire. Riveredge’s Conservation Crew has been hard at work removing invasive buckthorn around the property. Let’s kick off the winter season with a celebration around a bonfire with purpose! Go for a luminated winter hike, warm up around a toasty bonfire, and fill your belly with hot chocolate and popcorn made over the fire!
Snowshoe rental is available ($10/hour for non-members and FREE for Members). Event may be altered/canceled due to weather conditions.
All ages welcome!
Member: FREE | Non-member: $7
Pre-registration is not required but highly recommended.
Volunteer and Learn: Herbaceous Invasive Species Management
Looking for an opportunity to get outside and volunteer at Riveredge? Please join us for a day of working and learning together as we strive to control invasive species, like garlic mustard and dames rocket, at Riveredge. Do you have invasive species in your yard or your community? Come learn how to identifiy these plants, why they damage our native landscape and what we all can do about it!
Ages 12+
Pre-registration is not required, but very appreciated.
This event is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated!
Volunteer and Learn: Herbaceous Invasive Species Management
Looking for an opportunity to get outside and volunteer at Riveredge? Please join us for a day of working and learning together as we strive to control invasive species, like garlic mustard and dames rocket, at Riveredge. Do you have invasive species in your yard or your community? Come learn how to identify these plants, why they damage our native landscape, and what we all can do about it!
Ages 12+
Pre-registration is not required, but very appreciated.
This event is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated!
