Xcel Energy crews from across our service area gathered this fall at three Landmark Nature Preserves to participate in their annual day of service. Read more about the different projects from our staff below!
Devil’s Punchbowl, Dunn County
“Several years ago, a heavy rainfall event unearthed some hidden treasure in the bottom of the Devil’s Punchbowl — long-forgotten slabs of concrete and steel rebar! For years, we talked about how to break up the concrete, even taking a few swings with a sledgehammer to test its stubbornness, to no avail. When a team of Xcel Energy’s finest offered to “take a swing at it”, we were elated. Entering the Bowl with generators, jackhammers, sledgehammers and brute strength, the team made short work of the concrete, which now lays neatly piled for the next phase — getting it up the stairs. Special thanks to Xcel and their Day of Service for taking on the impossible and making Menomonie’s favorite natural area a little more natural!”
Meridean Barrens, Dunn County
“Xcel Energy staff braved the heat to volunteer at Landmark Conservancy’s Meridean Barrens preserve on their Day of Service on September 12th. The project for the day was removing encroaching sumac from the remnant barrens to increase sunlight to the ground and bolster the health of this threatened ecosystem. With the help of 13 Xcel staff as well as DNR, US Fish and Wildlife, and Lower Chippewa River Alliance volunteers, about half an acre of sumac was removed. The Day of Service has been an annual tradition for Xcel since 2010, and we are grateful that they chose to once again partner with Landmark Conservancy.”
Tyler Forks Community Forest, Ashland County
“Xcel Energy’s day of service went great at Tyler Forks Community Forest! We had 10 volunteers, and we broke them up into 3 teams with me leading one team, Bob Durfey leading another, and Colleen Matula (retired DNR forester, member of the Friends of Copper Falls State Park and North Country Trail, and regular volunteer at the Tyler Forks Community Forest workdays) leading the third group. We brushed in sections of trail that have been moved/improved, picked up and bagged an old aluminum can pile, widened the trail in a few sections, built trail along the Beaver Loop Trail which can be found off of the River Trail, and moved lumber to store indoors for the winter. Special thanks to Sarah McDowell for helping to recruit and organize volunteers. And special thanks to Copper Falls State Park and Northland College for loaning us a few trail maintenance tools!”