You will have to find another source to get mulch or compost for your garden other than the Sturgeon Bay Compost Site for now. On Thursday, the City of Sturgeon Bay temporarily shut down the site for removal due to an apparent infestation of Asian Jumping Worms. Municipal Services Director Mike Barker says after a resident reported finding the worms in mulch that was picked up, he closed the site immediately for the removal of mulch and compost.

The Door County Invasive Species Team and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will investigate and help determine the next steps to be taken by the city. According to the DNR website, the Asian Jumping Worms are non-native, invasive earthworms that present challenges to homeowners, gardeners, and forest managers. The worms can deplete the soil of nutrients and quickly transform it into dry, granular pellets with a texture like discarded coffee grounds. The Sturgeon Bay Compost Site will remain open for the drop off of brush and lawn waste.