West Bend, Wisconsin – Nearly every year, Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation (CLCF) has a volunteer event in mid-April celebrating Earth Day. This year CLCF is focusing on tree planting maintenance.
“Having a designated day, every year helps remind people about the importance of environmental issues,” said Jaron Cook, stewardship coordinator for Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation.
Earth Day is a day set aside to recognize problems in our ecosystems and celebrate and respect nature.
Cook advised people “think local” and if you want to make a difference, start in own backyard. “Converting a lawn to native plants” or “stop using fertilizer and try different methods like mulch mowing” are all efforts to help the environment. Driving less and choosing other modes of transportation is another viable option.
Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit that conserves land through various methods. The CLCF has many preserves in West Bend open to the community for recreation, hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. These are great opportunities to get outdoors and experience nature.
Cook works with invasive species and warns about some that are greatly affecting our community. People are mostly familiar with buckthorn and garlic mustard; Japanese Barberry is a plant of growing concern.
“It’s only starting to get more common here,” said Cook. The Japanese Barberry resembles a raspberry plant when it is young, but when it grows, it gets bushier and spikier. Cook describes the leaves of the Japanese Barberry as “shaped like little teardrops that don’t have stems.”
When asked about what is most important for others to know when taking care of the earth, Cook said, “The actions you have as an individual and collectively impact the earth and all of its inhabitants.”
