Water Pump Station Restoration Site

In the 5 year plan, the Shoreland Group proposed multiple possible restoration expansion sites, all sensitive to the interests of a handful of neighbors who have voiced a preference to not have additional expansion between their home and the lake.   Given the vast amount of waterfront area available in the area, finding alternative areas that serve our efforts was easy.

The Parks Advisory Board recommended authorization for the second restoration site to be located between the water pump station and the lake, across from Webster Stanley Elementary School.  In addition to not being located immediately near a residential home, this property site also serve the function of helping to filter a site where untreated stormwater is pumped directly into the lake.

Below are photos of the planned site prior to any work.

Pump Station side from road by Webster Stanley Elementary

Side view of shore area that will be transformed into a healthy, native environment

Pump Station site from water view

1st Annual Native Plant Sale

In May 2015, the Shoreland Group partnered with local urban farm Growing Oshkosh for a plant sale fundraiser, helping to raise funds for the installation of our second bed.  The sale featured natives grown in Omro, WI, just 10 minutes from Oshkosh, including Butterfly Weed, Nodding Pink Onion, native Asters, and more.

The sale was a great success, thanks to the great planning and entrepreneurship of our partner UW Oshkosh Students and the friendly host team from Growing Oshkosh.

Overall, hundreds of plants were purchased for plantings throughout yards in the Oshkosh area, helping to reintroduce native plants and their benefits into the urban landscape.  More importantly, the sale offered the opportunity to talk about the importance and benefits of native plants and of our efforts of shoreland restoration.  The response and support was tremendous, with the Oshkosh community continuing to demonstrate their support for the restoration of our vulnerable shores.

Growing Oshkosh at work!  (photo courtesy of GO)

The plant sale resulted in sufficient funds to cover 60% of the costs of the new bed, along with providing about 80 native plant plugs at no cost.  The Shoreland Group provided a thank you donation of $50.00 to support the work of Growing Oshkosh.  We look forward to the 2016 sale!

A special thanks to Dani Stolley and crew from Growing Oshkosh, the students that helped deliver, set up and sell plants, Justin Mitchell for organizing the event and coordinating the purchase and delivery of plants, Marshland Aquatic Native Plants for the great price on plants, and to the broader community for all of their support.