The maple syrup evaporator at 1000 Islands Environmental Center. 1000 Islands photo.
The maple syrup evaporator at 1000 Islands Environmental Center. 1000 Islands photo.

KAUKAUNA — Volunteers began cooking the first batch of maple syrup of the season over the weekend at the 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna.

NBC 26 visited Monday to look in on the process.

1000 Islands taps about 200 trees throughout the community, which are the distinctive blue bags attached to the side of maple trees in town.

They’ve already collected 80 gallons of sap, but that won’t get them very far.

Over the next few weeks, usually on weekends, if visitors see the door of the sugar shack open and smoke coming from the chimney, they are encouraged to stop in to see the evaporator pan in action and learn about the process.

Be sure to wear your mask and stick to only one family group in the sugar shack a a time.



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By Dan Plutchak

Dan Plutchak, born and raised in Kaukauna, is cofounder of Kaukauna Community News.