Habitat Committee
Our habitat committee is comprised of people just like you. A conservation ethic, a willingness to get into the waters and woods, and a desire to make fishing better for current and future generations.
The habitat committee does things of varying difficulties, and physical requirements. On any given habitat work day a person may simply walk along pointing out invasive species, while another person operates a chain-saw, while a third person is in the water placing the identified invasive species that has been cut down as backfill for a streambank restoration. Members come out just to watch, and learn about the site, and our process. Anything that a willing volunteer will do, they will get trained in on site, or prior to the work day (for example, our chain-saw operators are FISTA certified operators who have volunteered for training). There is no pressure, and members do only what they are comfortable with.
Our habitat projects operate monthly from April through October; depending on weather, we also try to sneak in an additional workday in December. Our work days run from 9AM to Noon on Saturdays. We typically hold 1 workday a month.
We have a proud history of working throughout the state. Southeastern Wisconsin has very few coldwater resources. SEWTU is nationally recognized for having a roving band of habitat enthusiasts. By 2017 our partners at the WI DNR had identified several locations in Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine counties. While we are more than willing to support restoration projects throughout the state, we have pivoted towards leading work days on our home waters now that restoration projects have been identified, and authorized.
Prime coldwater resources don't happen by accident. We have the talent, resources, and willingness to restore degraded habitat for all coldwater species. Fishing is our passion, restoration can be hard, some sites take years to restore, but it's fun to restore, and it makes fun fishing available for all.
Our chapter raises funds to support habitat work. Our habitat committee works with other stakeholders (other chapters, WI DNR, local governments, etc ... ) to identify projects that hit 3 key requirements (permanent public access, community buy in, and site potential), the committee then builds out a schedule roughly a year in advance, and then informs the chapter board of directors what it needs to fulfill our organizations mission. This is a ground up led operation.
If you are interested in participating, or observing please contact the Habitat Committee Co-Chairs Ken Rizzo (riz2337@yahoo.com), and Rick Larkin (ricklarkin76@gmail.com).