Trails-Lands Mash-Up at Muir Preserve

Thank you to the 54 volunteers who gave 468 hours and contributed to the effort of opening the Muir Preserve for future stewardship work and promoting biodiversity.

On Thursday, January 30th and Friday, January 31st, across the landscape of John Muir’s boyhood home, volunteers worked steadily to remove defunct wire fencing, clear brush and vines, and thin trees along the edge of the Alliance-owned Muir Preserve. This work enhanced the connection, both aesthetically and environmentally, of habitat stretching across the Muir Preserve into the Muir State Natural Area.

As the sawdust settled and the fires lit up the evening, Eva Ballering, Land Steward for the IATA, was sure she caught a glimpse of a few large oak trees smiling – thankful to be free from the tangled mass of grape vines which had left them bedraggled for years.

• Marquette County Parks for opening up their restrooms and providing parking for the project;
• Neighbor, Jay Howell, who allowed us access to work clearing brush along Hwy O;
• Madison East and Middleton High Schools, whose dedicated teachers allowed their students to experience an outdoor classroom;
• All of the students, for bringing positive attitudes and open minds about volunteer work;
• All experienced sawyers, who donated not only their time (and eventually sore backs), but their equipment and fuel, too.

Generous Sponsors of the 2020 Mobile Skills Crew Trailbuilding Season include:

Sitka Salmon Shares is offering all Ice Age Trail enthusiasts and trailbuilders a $25.00 discount on your purchase of a salmon or seafood share. They’ll donate $25.00 to our award-winning Mobile Skills Crew program.