Forest Tour - Tree Planting -
Buckthorn Removal - Tosa Eco Fest

Forest Tour THIS SATURDAY!

We have another tour at the park!
A Forest Tour Saturday October 12th at 1pm.
 

Registration requested at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1037265959407

Get to know the magnificent big old native trees. This tour will help participants identify and appreciate the most significant and handsome species in this remnant of “old growth” forest that survived the rampant deforestation of the 1800s. You will see fine large specimens of sugar maple, white oak, burr oak and basswood, many of them hundreds of years old. Also to be noticed are smaller trees, shrubs and ground cover.

The tour is guided by Jim Thielke - a graduate of UW La Crosse with a degree in plants and fungal biology. Jim is also a Naturalist at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. In 2023 he co-led this same tour as a guide with his grandfather Charlie Mitchell (both pictured above). Jim carries on this fine tradition in 2024!

More Trees Planted - Extending Sanctuary Woods

 This past Saturday two dozen volunteers helped plant 40 trees and shrubs in County Grounds Park extending Sanctuary Woods. This project was co-funded by Milwaukee Milwaukee Regional Medical Center and Milwaukee County Parks.

A portion of the project is the result of a 2024 budget addition by Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Shawn Rolland for tree planting across several Milwaukee County Parks.

A portion of the project is from a donation by the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center - part of their work with the Tree Campus Healthcare Program by the Arbor Day Foundation.

The combined funding also included tree protection fencing for over 100 trees and shrubs planted over 3 years which maximize survival rate against deer browsing along with heavy snow and wind conditions.

Beyond tree procurement - the effort of tree planting, fencing, and watering is a coordinated effort between many organizations including Friends of County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, Hoppe Tree Service, Watertown Apartments, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin and Milwaukee County Parks-Natural Areas Program.

Since 2022 over 240 trees and shrubs have been planted, extending Sanctuary Woods several acres. Nearly half the trees and shrubs planted in 2024 were selected because they are preferred by Cedar Waxwing birds - one of over 150 bird species who frequent County Grounds Park.

Lots of photos, each with their own text descriptions can be found at this Facebook Post.

Habitat Restoration - Buckthorn Slaying

Five Remaining Buckthorn Removal Events This Fall!

Pictured above was the dedicated crew on September 21st. Please consider joining us this Saturday, or a future event!

Registration requested for coordination purposes, linked below, consider coming to multiple events!

• Saturday Oct 12; 9-12

• Friday Oct 18; 2-4

• Saturday Oct 26; 9-12

• Friday Nov 1; 2-4

• Saturday Nov 16; 9-12

   

  County Grounds Park and Sanctuary Woods is home to a very old forest - with some trees over 300 years old. These majestic trees include oaks, maples, walnuts, basswood, willows, boxelders, and cottonwood. But this forest is in danger of dying out because the invasive buckthorn is preventing regenerative growth. We have a multi-year initiative to remove the buckthorn,
  which is only possible with great volunteers - like YOU!

This is a great opportunity to live your conviction of making a local difference, contributing to environmental improvements, and volunteering in your community. Join other volunteers for a few hours of buckthorn removal this fall. There are tasks for any skill level including pulling buckthorn sprouts, hand-sawing, dragging, or stacking (or switching off). No experience needed, equipment training and supervision will be provided. Appropriate for all ages.

Thanks to Caitlin R and Danielle P
for coordinating and leading these events!

Tosa Fall Eco Fest

Co-Founded by the two Environmental Club presidents at Wauwatosa East High School, the Tosa Fall Eco Fest is an annual event geared toward promoting sustainability and environmentalism in a way that caters to all audiences.

Several Friends of County Grounds Park staffed a table at the 2024 Tosa Fall Eco Fest. Thanks to everyone who came out to visit us and support our Tosa youth!

It was a special treat to have Audrey - one of our "Youth Friends of County Grounds Park" student leaders from two years ago come back and visit us! (Audrey and Jonathan shown above)

A few more details at this Facebook Post

Friends of County Grounds Park Monthly Meeting

Consider joining our friends group Zoom meeting the 2nd Thursday of each month. For those interested in joining our monthly meetings and contributing time, talents, or treasure to co-managing the park - please email friendsofcountygroundspark@gmail.com

Reporting Suspicious Activity

• The Milwaukee County Grounds is patrolled and enforced by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department

• Please be part of the solution and directly report any suspicious activity: 

  • Sheriff:  414-278-4788

  • Fire or medical emergency:  911

• Thanks for helping take clear ownership for our shared space

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Sincere appreciation for a community that has been such good stewards for this precious space. We have a lot to be proud of, the ability to make a difference, and hope for the future. Thank you!!