Et cetera : NCCC Team Creates Memories in Wisconsin

By: Deon Johnson AmeriCorps NCCC team, Oak 3, arrived in Belgium, Wis. eager to complete their last service project with the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT). They are helping with land preservation, including removing invasive species and trail maintenance. OWLT employees, Mike, the stewardship and restoration director, and Katie, a conservation specialist provided Oak 3 with an orientation. They took Oak 3 on a tour of the community and their housing as well as teaching them how to identify different plan and tree species. Mike and Katie also provided a demonstration on techniques to remove invasive species and tool usage. Oak 3 was split up into two groups. One group pained garage doors and window panes while the other group plowed dirt on the trails. The team also sprayed herbicide on plants, cut off invasive species and cleaned up any brush that looked messy. Oak 3 was sent to Fellenz Woods, 25 miles away from Belgium in West Bend, where their main task was eradicating invasive species (autumn olive, buckthorn, and honey suckle) near the airport. Oak 3 also finished their Independent Service Hours by picking up debris along a trail with Urban Ecology workers. They also spent some time with another NCCC team who are stationed in South Milwaukee.