FBR Earth Day Clean Up, 2010 a Success!

In spite of cloudy damp weather over two dozen people turned out for Friends of the Black River’s annual Earth Day Clean Up on Saturday April 24th. Meeting early in the morning at Castle Mound State Park, they received maps and directions to the targeted clean up areas from Peter Bakken, Black River State Forest supervisor. Clean up supplies were distributed by Sue and Jeff Polzin from Friends of the Black River, and groups headed out to tackle trash in and near the Black River State Forest.

Before long the drizzle turned into a steady rain and mud was the name of the game! Undaunted, participants collected truck loads and many bags of trash. Included in the haul was a couch, two TVs, a van seat, chair and many tires. Paul Youngthunder, of the Ho-chunk Nation, came with the Nation’s “ditch witch”, a mini-caterpillar, and winch equipped truck. Thanks to this extra power, several large items including an old refrigerator were extracted from the forest.
Although the sun never put in an appearance, the Marsh marigolds did an admirable job of brightening up the day. They were in full bloom along the “wildflower trail” as well as Dutchman’s breeches, early Trilliums and Skunk cabbage and many fiddle head ferns. This trail connects to the East Bank Hiking Trail cleared by FBR members. Fourteen miles in length, the East Bank Hiking Trail is nearly complete between Black River Falls and Hatfield.  FBR’s May 8th Annual Spring Hike, to begin at 11:00 AM, will be held on the “wildflower trail” just off of Pettibone Pass near the Morrison Creek Landing.
Soaked but satisfied with a job well done, Earth Day Clean Up participants returned to Castle Mound State Park in the early afternoon for a lunch provided by the Black River State Forest. A roaring fire in the park shelter’s fire place helped to dry and re-warm everyone. Andy Ellingson, FBR president, assessed this clean up as the “best ever” with “great participation and lots of recyclables collected as well as an impressive amount of trash removed from the State Forest.”
The partnership between Friends of the Black River, the Black River State Forest, and the Ho-chunk Nation in this annual event is a great example of how local groups and agencies can work together to get important work done!