Aghaming Park's ruined by vehicles

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Written by The Winona Post   
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sarah Elmquist

Local river wildlife advocate Richie Swanson will lead a two mile roundtrip “Walk of Reconciliation” through Aghaming Park and Preserve on Saturday, March 14 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., outlining damage done to the park from illegal off-road vehicles.

The walk will feature the observation of many native plants and animals, including redheaded woodpeckers, red shouldered hawks and rusty blackbirds.

During winter months, some motorized vehicles are allowed in parts of the park. But this year one of those vehicles seems to have damaged a gate that fences off an area recognized as a nesting place for the red shouldered hawk, leaving the gate hanging wide and obvious vehicle tracks gouging huge tracks through the mud. Swanson will lead his team to a 25 acre flood plain forest that he’s identified as “turned into a wasteland” by these illegal off-roaders.

The red shouldered hawks typically form pairs and establish nests during the month of March, and vehicle access is supposed to be prohibited to help protect the area from March 1 through November.

Those interested in learning more about the natural ecosystem of Aghaming Park, observing wildlife and discussions over cookies are urged to attend. Participants can meet at the Wisconsin side of the Old Wagon Bridge, and are encouraged to wear mud-resistant footwear and are welcome to bring cookies.

Source: http://www.winonapost.com/stock/functions/VDG_Pub/detail.php?choice=29756&home_page=1&archives=


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State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“We’ve had success bringing illegal riders to justice by snapping photos of their ID stickers. The problem in California is that they’re too darn small to see from far away or at high speeds. While I’m normally not in favor of the government getting involved in things, requiring all ORVs to have a visible ID with a minimum size and standard location would make them an even better tool for property owners to identify trespassing riders. We should also look to Wyoming’s lead and make trespassing penalties clear so riders think twice before they head off designated trails and onto my land.”

- Mesonika Piecuch, private property owner, Kern County, CA