What’s happening in Door County?

COMING UP

• The time of year is to start planning and carrying out Phragmites treatments is here. Late August through early October is the best time to treat since the herbicide will translocate through the plant as it prepares for overwintering and will be more effective on its persistent stolons (underground, horizontal roots). Learn all you need to know about this invasive grass at a symposium that will include presentations by Stacy Schumacher (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) on the mapping of wetland invasive species and the differences between native and non-native Phragmites, and Kari Hagenow (Door County Invasive Species Team) on control options for Phragmites. Also in attendance will be Matthew Peters, a graduate student from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, to give an overview of his research “A Comparison of Ecological Services between Native and Invasive Phragmites australis in Door County.” The event will be held at Crossroads at Big Creek, Sturgeon bay, Friday, Aug. 30, 2-4 pm.

• Join the Door County Invasive Species Team and the Clark Lake Advancement Association in the annual Clark Lake Phragmites Fest. The workday focused on treating Phragmites on the shoreline of Clark Lake will be Aug. 29, with a rain date of Sept. 10. Time and meeting location to be determined, but if you’re interested in helping please contact Kari at 920.743.8695 or Marne at 920.839.2802 to get updates as they are available. While certified applicators are needed to apply the herbicide, helpers are also needed to bundle and cut Phragmites among other tasks – all are welcome.

WHAT HAPPENED

• The Door County YMCA launched a search for a new Chief Executive Officer, after current CEO Dan Powell resigned.

Powell accepted the CEO position at the Whatcom Family YMCA in Bellingham, Wash. He has been CEO for seven years and his last day at the Door County YMCA will be September 6.

“While Dan’s departure is a loss to our community and to those he has befriended, we wish Dan and his family well in their future adventures with the YMCA in Bellingham, Washington,” Stephens said. “He is certainly leaving a legacy at our YMCA and has positioned us well to serve the Door County community!”

Stephens, along with staff of the national and local YMCAs and current and former Door County YMCA board members, is part of a committee to find a new CEO. He expects to fill the position in two to four months.

“The YMCA is a pretty well oiled machine when it comes to selecting executives,” he said.