Operation Fresh Start - Turning the SPSRA into an outdoor classroom

In August of 2024, a generous grant from Alliant Energy allowed us to partner with Operation Fresh Start Conservation Academy.

To the left is a remnant of the ancient Sauk Prairie grassland. To the right can be see the smothering invasive vegetation. In the middle is the carefully cut & treated swath created by OFS student.

This seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine our goals of restoration, and education. OFS offers hand-on training for entry level careers in conservation, land management, parks, forestry, or landscaping. We have a strong need for manual labor in the removal of invasive vegetation due to the WI DNR's ban on prescribed burning within Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area. Having their students perform hand-on training while restoration work seemed like an ideal partnership.

OFS students also helped to clear the dense underbrush that had nearly hidden a number of giant, "Champion Oaks" located in various sections of the SPSRA.