Trees Planted Today, Perhaps Bridges Built Tomorrow

If you drive south along Moorland Road from Janesville Road, you've likely noticed a lot of open space. Alex Booten, a 16-year-old sophomore at Muskego High School noticed an opportunity.

"I've always liked the outdoors and environment, so when I looked to do my project, I decided to contact Tom Zagar, who is the Conservation Coordinator with the city," he said. Zagar pointed him in the direction of planting trees at Moorland Park.

"There is about 25 acres of conservation area in Muskego, not including the outlots of Candlewood subdivision," Zagar said. "This area was planted with river birch, swamp white oak and tamaracks, which are native, and will grow well in the wetland area here."

He added that weed matting will help to protect the watershed into Candlewood Creek, which eventually flows into Bass Bay on Big Muskego Lake.

Booton is a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 19 and also an honor roll student at Muskego High School; his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout at 16 is younger than most, but he credited his success to having help from many local hands.

"InPro Corporation stepped forward to help out, and so did the Lion's Club," he said. "I even heard from a company in Michigan - American Transmission Company, who was interested in helping the environment as well."

With the help of Zagar, Booten planted 40 trees and 150 seedlings of various species in the Moorland Park Conservation area near the skateboard park, not too far from a bridge near the pond. An ironic placement when you realize what Booten's plans are when he graduates from high school in another two years.

"I am interested in pursuing civil engineering, and I'd like to eventually work in bridge-building," he explained.