Mission Possible: Volunteer Workday for the Earth

Tackling Invasive Species - May 13

Calling all Agents: Waukesha County Parks needs YOU to help us restore and protect our parkland from invasive and aggressive plants!

Mission: To help control invasive Garlic Mustard in the parks through hand pulling and bagging. The mission will be held rain or shine. 
Where: Fox River Park, W264 S4500 River Road, Waukesha, WI 53189 - Meet at Picnic Area 1
When:  Saturday, May 13, 9 am - Noon
Special Agents: Open to volunteers of various skills, and abilities. Adult supervision is required for the duration of the project if a volunteer is under the age of 18. Dress for weather conditions, wear boots and bring your own work gloves.

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The Target Garlic Mustard [Alias: Alliaria petiolata] This fast-spreading weed is very invasive and is threatening natural areas throughout the park system. Garlic mustard starts growing earlier in the season than Wisconsin's other native plants and outcompetes them. It spreads rapidly in wooded areas, forming tall, dense stands that smother native wildflowers, and native tree and shrub seedlings. Garlic mustard is a winter annual herb that generally grows 2-4 feet tall. The lower leaves are kidney-shaped with scalloped edges. Leaves feel hairless, and the root has an "S" or "L" shape just below the stem base. In spring, roots and new leaves smell like garlic, and small, four-petal white flowers appear clustered at stem ends, followed by long, skinny seedpods. Garlic mustard spreads by seed and can self-pollinate. It can produce up to 500 seeds per plant, and the seeds can survive in the soil for up to 7 years, making it hard to eliminate. View Garlic Mustard Identification Sheet Watch the Training Video

Confirm Acceptance of Your Mission
Register now

Can't join us during Mission Possible?
Sign up to volunteer to pull Garlic Mustard on your own time!

This volunteer project is a self-led project (i.e., no staff present to directly supervise) in any park of your choosing and can be done according to your schedule from May - July on any day or time during our operating hours (Sunrise – 10 pm). You will receive a map of where to pull garlic mustard in the park(s) you select as well as an instructional training video.

Learn More & Register for Self-guided Removal