About Paul Mozina

I began cutting Buckthorn in February 2000 while volunteering with the Ice Age Trail Alliance. I spent approximately 5 years working at “Brady’s Rocks“, a unique rock outcropping along the Ice Age Trail in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and, along with my wife, Patricia Holman, was awarded the 2002 Volunteer of the Year award from the DNR. We also received an award from the Kettle Moraine Natural History Association for this effort.

After Brady’s Rocks I cut buckthorn at the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail along the stretch that is right next to Hwy 67 and around the Marl Pits for 6-7 months but then I got interested in the Hartland Marsh.

The Hartland Marsh is an area along the Bark River between Hwy 83 and Cottonwood Avenue on the West and East sides respectively and commerce centers bordering on the North and South.

This area was truly a Buckthorn wasteland. The Ice Age Trail crews used to go out there with loppers to try to keep the trail open and I decided to just go ahead and clean the place up. Pati help me a lot and our efforts were documented in a couple places: Blue Planet Green Living and Hartland Marsh Reborn. The Village of Hartland proclaimed Wednesday June 16, 2010 “Paul Mozina Day” to show their appreciation. But, after 6 years of work there, I ran afoul of the powers that be in Hartland and had to abandon that effort. Hartland Marsh Volunteer Calls It Quits.

I am thrilled to be back working again with the DNR and the Kettle Moraine Natural History Association at the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail. This is one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin. I resumed my efforts here in May 2011 after my cancer diagnosis (squamous cell carcinoma P16+). I’m fine now after the surgery to remove the tumor from my neck. I just needed to make some changes like: retiring from my job, reducing stress, eating right and NOT hanging out with my old buddies Jack, Johnny, Jim and the Marlboro Man anymore. I feel that working at the Springs, drinking the pure spring water, breathing the fresh air and taking in the sunshine has contributed greatly to my healing.

Hope to see you at the Springs…