Wisconsin Volunteers Rescue Old-Growth Forest From Invader

When an invasive plant threatens one of Wisconsin's last old-growth forests, a community is fighting back one handful at a time.

The Friends of the Kettle Moraine are calling volunteers to help save Haskell Noyes Woods State Natural Area near Campbellsport from garlic mustard, an aggressive invasive species that can destroy native vegetation. This isn't just any patch of trees: the forest is a rare example of old-growth sugar maple and red oak woodland that was never heavily logged, making it a living window into Wisconsin's natural past.

May and early June are critical months for removal because the plant is easiest to spot while blooming. Miss this window, and garlic mustard spreads rapidly, crowding out the delicate spring wildflowers and ferns that have flourished under these ancient trees for generations.

The volunteer effort runs multiple times per week through early June. Sessions happen Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m., plus Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, giving people plenty of chances to pitch in around their schedules.

Volunteers meet at the Haskell Noyes Woods parking lot off County Road GGG, just south of County Road SS east of New Prospect. Organizers recommend wearing long sleeves, sunscreen, a hat, and garden gloves, plus bringing insect repellent and water.

The Ripple Effect

Protecting this forest does more than preserve pretty scenery. Old-growth forests like Haskell Noyes Woods serve as living laboratories where scientists study ecosystems that have developed without human interference for centuries, helping us understand how to better protect woodlands across the region.

These volunteer workdays also connect neighbors who might never otherwise meet, united by a shared mission to protect something bigger than themselves. Each handful of pulled garlic mustard represents another small victory for the native plants that call this forest home.

Contact Connie Ramthun at connieramthun@gmail.com for more information, or call 920-533-8939 for weather cancellations.

Sometimes saving something precious is as simple as showing up and pulling weeds.