Mr. McMahon’s Environmental Biology classes worked with the LICP, UW-Stout classes, and other volunteers during the first week of October to clear buckthorn from the woods on the high school campus.

Buckthorn is an invasive tree with dark green leaves and small spherical black berries. The tree alters the soil, outcompetes native species, and contributes to erosion. It is very difficult to remove as it takes roughly 7 years of persistent effort to fully get rid of. 

Throughout the week, students locatedbuckthorn, cut it down using a saw or lopper, called Mr. McMahon over to spray herbicide on the root, and then dragged the fallen buckthorn to a pile down the sidewalk. 

“I strongly believe that involving students in hands-on activities on campus leads to lifelong memories and learning, along with a sense of community pride in their school,” said Mr. McMahon. 

This project took place over four days, with the classes starting at the top of the hill on 5th street West, and working down to the trail. Students moved their way towards the river with the help of the LICP. 

Community volunteers spent the next week picking up the piles of cut buckthorn and transporting it off campus. After leaving campus, the piles are then brought to the city brush pile to be burned. 

Buckthorn is an invasive species that made its way to Wisconsin in the 1880’s as an ornamental plant. Buckthorn spreads by birds eating the berries which then act as a laxative, quickly making their way out the other end and on the ground to grow. The roots of buckthorn push out other plant species consequently taking over forests. 

Now that a majority of the buckthorn on that part of campus has been removed, the native species are provided with more room to grow and thrive. The battle against the invasive species is not done though, and future students will need to continue cutting and spraying the persistent plant.