Meet the Prairie Enthusiasts Volunteers Who Are Changing the World

Meet the Prairie Enthusiasts Volunteers Who Are Changing the World

by | Apr 25, 2025 | News

Meet the Prairie Enthusiasts Volunteers Who are Making a Lasting Impact

Story by Kysh Lindell, AmeriCorps Member

Collage of Prairie Enthusiasts. Photo credits below.

Who do you picture when you hear the words ‘Prairie Enthusiast?’  

Maybe you envision a group of people standing neck deep in big bluestem and bright yellow coneflower blooms, smiling under their sunhats. Maybe a Nomex-clad figure expertly wielding a drip torch and silhouetted in smoke. Or perhaps you see flashes of blaze orange helmets and chainsaws, small hands picking fluffy white seeds and binoculars whipping out to catch sight of a bird.  

Chances are the people you imagined are not just casual prairie-goers, but volunteers—the people working to steward and share our last remaining prairies, oak savannas and other fire-dependent ecosystems. When it comes to land management, land protection, education and outreach, it doesn’t get more boots-on-the-ground than The Prairie Enthusiasts’ volunteers.  

Whether they are organizing work parties, removing invasive species, leading prairie tours, raising funds to protect land, conducting prescribed burns or collecting native seed, volunteers from our twelve grassroots chapters dedicate countless hours of their time to protecting and promoting prairies across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois each year. Without these volunteers, thousands of acres of native prairie may not exist at all. 

What is perhaps most unique about our volunteers is their breadth of talent and complete dedication to their cause. Our community is bursting with skilled artists and photographers, writers and storytellers, botanists, ecologists and restoration experts, leaders and educators—many of whom have spent decades lending their unique gifts to the shared mission of protecting prairies. Without this enduring enthusiasm and continued generosity, neither our community nor the prairies we steward would be as vibrant as they are today.  

In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 20-26), we are spotlighting some of the incredible volunteers who contribute their time and talents to caring for the last remaining prairies in the Upper Midwest. And who better to hear from than their fellow volunteers? Read on for profiles of volunteers who are making a positive impact on the land and their local communities, submitted by members of their chapter. Thank you volunteers!

Laura watching a bumble bee. Photo by Pam Johnson.

Laura (left) on a survey walk. Photo by Pam Johnson.

Laura Dufford

Submitted by Jay Rutherford, Northwest Illinois Chapter (NIPE)

Laura served as a member of the chapter’s steering committee, assisting with everything from CRP contracts to helping to coordinate and host field trips. As a survey team member she participated in documenting a variety of spring and summer species at Hanley Savanna. Laura spent hours collecting, sorting, and mixing native seed for NIPE’s latest restoration planting. She acted as our chapter’s volunteer liaison, providing lunch to hardworking volunteers at the chapter’s annual ‘Thank You’ gathering to conclude the harvest season. 

Laura possesses a truly generous and giving spirit! She remains dedicated and willing to tackle multiple responsibilities—all with good humor and a kind heart. In her 30+ years of volunteering for NIPE she has stepped forward to assume leadership roles, assisted with many types of field work, including a host of seed program tasks, plus engaged in outreach to both chapter members and new friends. Nature is her inspiration—as she says, “Being out on the prairie is important to my soul”.   

Jim “Flapper” Lynch

Submitted by Addeline Theis Paradis, Many Rivers Chapter

Jim Lynch (fondly known as “Flapper”)  is a great volunteer. He is our communication expert. He puts out all of our email notifications for upcoming events, burns, or anything that needs attention.  He adds photos and does a great job designing a poster for events.  Best of all, he gets the information out promptly and sends additional reminders, which has increased our members’ participation.  

He has done this for over 8 years and has had to learn new emailing systems as The Prairie Enthusiasts changed their formats, but has always done so with patience and fortitude. 

Fun fact: His nickname “Flapper” came out of his participation in a band many years ago, but stuck when he got involved with The Prairie Enthusiasts, for obvious reasons. He and Randy Schindle have had a long-standing competition regarding how many species are present on each of their prairie pieces. 

 

 

 

Flapper photographing the prairie. Photo by unknown Many Rivers Chapter volunteer.

Nancy Gloe. Photo by unknown Glacial Prairie Chapter volunteer.

Nancy Gloe

Submitted by Kat O’Connell Valuch, Glacial Prairie Chapter 

Nancy Gloe is everywhere. She is leading SNA workdays and attending our other workdays. She put in over 70 hours at the Mukwonago River Oak Barrens in 2024—planting plugs, cutting and pulling brush, collecting seeds, staging and burning brush piles, helping with prescribed burns. 

Nancy is a great volunteer because she is consistent, seeks to better understand why we’re doing things and asks critical questions, is welcoming and helpful to newer volunteers, and she just works really hard. It can be difficult to peal Nancy away from tasks at the end of a workday. 

At the Mukwonago River Oak Barrens, she was my only very regular volunteer for a while, but she has been very important in helping to engage new volunteers as they show up, and I credit her with helping develop a pretty consistent and solid volunteer group.  

Fun fact: In 2011, Nancy participated in a protest against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and volunteered to be arrested alongside fellow climate activists in Washington, D.C. She was only in custody for a few hours and released when she paid $100, but the pipeline was ultimately never built. 

Peter Hartman

Submitted by Gabe Ericksen, Minnesota Driftless Chapter

Peter Hartman has been a steadfast volunteer within our chapter for a number of years. After serving some time as chapter treasurer, he continues to offer guidance and support to our elected board.

This year, Peter has taken on the additional role of Coordinator between our chapter, the City of Winona and Winona State University. His efforts to foster collaboration on the Garvin Heights Overlook prairie and oak woodland spaces have catalyzed a great deal of volunteerism and energy within the Winona community. As a retired soil scientist for the NRCS, Peter can still sometimes be found probing the ground for clues about its composition and history. He’s certainly not one who is afraid to get his hands dirty!

Thanks for all of your enthusiasm and generosity within our chapter, Peter! 

Peter collecting and analyzing soil samples. Photos by unknown Minnesota Driftless Chapter volunteer.

Jessica Bizub

Jessica Bizub

Submitted by Kat O’Connell Valuch, Glacial Prairie Chapter 

Jessica had a tremendous lift for the Glacial Prairie Chapter and The Prairie Enthusiasts this last year as the past Glacial Prairie Chapter Chair, Board Representative, and Chair of the Education Committee. She put in countless hours doing a lot of work behind the scenes and at various workdays and prescribed burns. She is transitioning to Prairie Enthusiasts Staff (!) and her leadership will be missed by the Glacial Prairie Chapter.

Jessica is a great volunteer because she is always willing to go the extra mile. She is also incredibly thoughtful and conscientious.  

Fun fact: Jessica played drums in a death metal band in high school.

 

Bob Retko

Submitted by Becky Fernette and Kay Wienke, Southwest Wisconsin Chapter

Bob spent his career (49 years) near Milwaukee working on and managing a 40-acre property with outdoor sculptures, lawn and prairie areas.

Currently, Bob is the Site Steward for Iris Drive and has worked closely with Gary Eldred to make sure the transition from Gary to Bob has gone smoothly. He has spent time cutting brush in a savanna area there, burning brush piles and facilitating a prairie burn on the west unit there this spring. He is also an active member of the Chapter Land Management Committee.

 

Bob enjoying the prairie. Photo by Kay Wienke.

Kevin at a work party at Giordano Oak Barrens. Photo by Rob Baller.

Kevin McKown

Submitted by Rich Henderson, Empire-Sauk Chapter

Kevin volunteers at multiple sites and attends many work parties. He has done all kinds of volunteer work, including tree and brush clearing, prescribed burning, seed cleaning and planting wild strawberries into restorations. He also helps conduct bird surveys and lead bird hikes.

We’re grateful that he’s always willing to help when he can, and that he brings his knowledge and enthusiasm for birds to our events.

Fun fact: Kevin has participated in the American Birkebeiner for many years. 

Marc Johnson

Submitted by Matt Dettlaff, Prairie Sands Chapter

In addition to volunteering to be our chapter Treasurer, Marc is a stalwart participant in our work days. Additionally, he also volunteers on Jeb Barzen’s burn crews around our area.

VOLUNTEER AT A PRAIRIE NEAR YOU
Positive Changes on Pleasant Bluff

Positive Changes on Pleasant Bluff

by | Apr 15, 2025 | Inspiration, Management Methods

Positive Changes on Pleasant Bluff

Story by Eric Ressel, Minnesota Driftless Chapter volunteer 

Drone image of prescribed burn at Pleasant Bluff.

As I approached Pleasant Bluff, just south of Winona, MN, I asked myself if this was the same location I visited a few years earlier, since this hillside was once densely infested with an onslaught of buckthorn and encroaching eastern red cedars. Since then, the Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts has contributed substantially to ecological restoration on this impressive prairie remnant. Over 18 acres along the spine of this formidable bluff, which sits above the banks of the Mississippi River, have been restored due to the diligent, hard work from folks like Gabe Ericksen, who has spent countless hours traversing the steep terrain to cut and remove the cedars, eradicate invasive brush, and implement numerous prescribed burns over the years. Gabe is a restoration practitioner through his contracting business, Land Spirit Design Landscaping, and he has been the tip of the restoration spear on Pleasant Bluff, assisted by the landowners and the Minnesota Driftless Chapter.

At a mid-March occasion in 2023, a diverse crew was assembled to assist Gabe with an 11-acre prescribed burn on this precipitous goat prairie. Thirty people of all ages and backgrounds, from children to seniors, joined together to conduct a safe and successful prescribed burn. Many of the participants were members of the Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts, but many of the participants weren’t. A substantive way in which the Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts contributed to the burn was by loaning the Chapter’s prescribed burn equipment to Gabe for the day’s burn.

The slope of this lofty bluff approaches 60% and is nothing short of intimidating. On this day, thanks to restoration efforts, the fuel-bed consisted primarily of native warm-season grasses and wildflowers, with some scattered pockets of shrubs. The climb up the mowed firebreak was grueling for the whole group. At the top, along the ridge overlooking the Mississippi River, Steve Winter having been designated as the burn boss by Gabe, provided the crew with an overview of why we burn such fire-dependent ecosystems, and he demonstrated fire behavior on steep terrain. He also highlighted numerous safety considerations, such as tumbling rocks and tripping hazards. Steve educated the group on the importance of clear communication, being familiar with the weather and environmental conditions, such as the optimal wind direction and humidity, and being aware of the safety zones and escape routes at this particular site. Once everyone confirmed they were comfortable implementing the burn, we broke into several smaller crews that were positioned along the ridge and others down the steep firebreak on the northwestern side. 

 

From the ridge we patiently waited for the progression of the fire from the ignition point, which was slow-going due to the calm conditions. My crew discussed strategy and stayed in contact with Steve and Gabe over the radio. We kept a careful watch as the gradually growing flames moved diagonally down the hillside. However, with barely a breeze the fire crept ever slowly, so Steve instructed me and fellow member Bill Hovell to ignite a shirt strip fire directly down the slope, which allowed the flames to spread more quickly in both lateral directions in the dense Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Bill and I worked our way down the steep slope towards the county road on the lower edge of the prairie where we rendezvoused with our other crew members, whom I literally passed the torch to so they could get some ignition experience. It was in that moment that I watched my greener group members become less fearful, and more comfortable and excited to use fire as an ecological tool! 

In the meantime, another crew worked the line along the northern edge of the burn unit as the flames continued to consume the fuel down the slope. In the heat of the moment, the landowner, Paul Richards, was able to capture some stunning drone footage. I wondered what the children, who were positioned in a safety zone at the top of the ridge, and upwind from the fire, were thinking as they watched the fire grow from a safe distance. I’m sure this experience proved to be exhilarating, educational, and memorable for them. Along with the children, I hoped our new participants and the students that attended Steve’s burn school would also be inspired to continue with the restoration legacy. 

Volunteer Gabe Ericksen burning. Photo by Laurie Arzaga.

Our crew continued to walk along the lower edge. We eventually met up with Gabe and his partner, and we extended the line as far east as possible. As the heat intensified above us and behind us, we ducked down into the refuge of a safety zone represented by a buckthorn thicket, which had little flammable fuel on the ground, as the flames progressed through the portions of the burn unit. I turned around and gave a gleeful smile as the sweltering flames made contact with many stems of the aggressive woody plants that are constantly trying to establish in prairies such as the one we were burning that day. We then moved again to our county road safety zone farther below, which we followed back to meet the main group. Gabe once again targeted the buckthorn as he ignited the strip of vegetation along the roadside edge, allowing the fire to burn up the slope and make contact with many buckthorn stems. We allowed the fire to spread up the slope into a grove of old white oaks that will surely benefit from the fire with more space to stretch their limbs.

We met to start mopping up and to review the outcome of the successful burn. Most of the group members then left, but I was greatly impressed by those devoted enthusiasts who decided to stay well into the evening. Gabe and Josh Lallaman led this late-night effort, which was carefully supervised into the early morning hours, and they were able to effectively burn an additional 3-acre area. The night burn looked equally serene and intensely dramatic. To me, this illuminating scene was the perfect illustration of the power of fire. It showed why prescribed burning promotes creation through destruction, making it an essential tool to encourage natural rejuvenation and regrowth, which helps to maintain prairies and savannas by preventing their conversion to other vegetation communities. Once again, demonstrating that fire is the ultimate management method to set back undesirable invasive vegetation, while stimulating the growth and reproduction of native grasses and wildflowers.  

As I drove south to head home along the mighty river, I reflected on the progress of this goat prairie from its previous poor condition, choked by buckthorn, to a thriving, fully functional ecosystem that is driven and dependent on fire. Now this unique ecological community can thrive in the southwestern-facing sunshine, while supporting an array of rare plant and animal species. I contemplated the logistics and timeframe for completing restoration efforts on similar sites, since the majority of the goat prairies in the Driftless Area, along with associated oak savannas and woodlands, have become degraded in part because of altered fire regimes. I thought of the historic photos portraying a landscape where trees weren’t as abundant along the Mississippi River Valley. Those historic conditions were largely due to frequent landscape burning by Indigenous Peoples. As Indigenous Peoples were displaced by European Americans, Indigenous land stewardship practices like prescribed burning were also displaced. Fires were often viewed as harmful by European Americans, and woody vegetation increased greatly in the Driftless Area, including on Pleasant Bluff. With the increasing prevalence of woody vegetation, including invasive species such as buckthorn, we’re witnessing a correlated decline in health of rare plant communities and an overall decrease in plant diversity.

“It made me proud to be a part of such an ambitious chapter of like-minded, well-educated enthusiasts who are passionate about ecological restoration and conservation education.”

The Pleasant Bluff prescribed burn was just one example of how dedicated members of the Minnesota Driftless Chapter are eager to save ecosystems. Their tireless restoration work, outreach efforts and mentorship are also an inspiration for others. It made me proud to be part of such an ambitious chapter of like-minded, well-educated enthusiasts who are passionate about ecological restoration and conservation education.

I want to thank the Pleasant Bluff landowners, Paul and Melissa (Missy) Richards, for their ongoing involvement and enthusiasm for the restoration and management of Pleasant Bluff. Their commitment to conservation and stewardship of the beautiful bluff prairies, woodlands, and oak savannas on their Winona County property is exemplary. Missy summarizes the continual progress of their beloved prairie: “We have deep appreciation for all the collaborative work between The Prairie Enthusiasts volunteers, experts in the field, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Spirit Design Landscaping. We recognize and appreciate being a part of something so much bigger than us. It gives us the opportunity to showcase the importance and impact of land restoration to our neighbors, family and friends. The ability to have a community partner with us on this journey makes Pleasant Bluff so much better.”

 

You, too, can follow their inspirational journey on the Richards’ Instagram page (@pleasantbluff_winonamn). Since the burn last spring, with help from Gabe, the Richards have continued their brush management efforts to lessen the buckthorn pressure across additional areas on the bluff. They have also documented dozens of native wildflowers on the bluff and often find new species. We encourage you to follow the Minnesota Driftless Chapter Facebook page to learn what additional prescribed burns and restoration efforts will take place.

I’ll be thrilled for the opportunity to return to this unique and productive dry bluff prairie to work once again with our devoted chapter members and these dedicated landowners, and to observe the positive and dynamic changes to this ecological gem along the river. On behalf of the Minnesota Driftless Chapter, we hope you can come join us.

Seven people and a dog gathered around a table and smiling at the camera.

Nighttime prescribed burn mop-up. Photo by Joshua Lallaman.

This article appeared in the Spring 2024 edition of  The Prairie Promoter, a publication of news, art and writing from The Prairie Enthusiasts community. Explore the full collection and learn how to submit your work here. 

Prairie Enthusiasm Ignites in the Twin Cities

Prairie Enthusiasm Ignites in the Twin Cities

by | Apr 8, 2025 | News

Prairie Enthusiasm Ignites in the Twin Cities

Story by Kysh Lindell, The Prairie Enthusiasts AmeriCorps Member

The Prairie Enthusiasts is thrilled to announce the formation of a new chapter! The Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter will be serving Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne and Wright Counties.

Though a third of Minnesota was once prairie, less than 2% of Minnesota’s native grassland habitats remain. The Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter is so named because of the historic abundance of oak savanna ecosystems in what today comprises the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. These open grassland habitats are comprised of scattered oak trees and an understory of sun-loving prairie plants, both of which support fascinating native wildlife like the state-endangered Henslow’s sparrow and federally-endangered rusty patched bumblebee. Though agriculture and urban development have largely replaced these essential native ecosystems, a few remnants—extraordinarily rare sites that have been largely undisturbed and retain most of their original plant communities—have persevered.

Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) by Alex Carroll, Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter Contact.

Inspired by an outpouring of interest in caring for native ecosystems, the Chapter is invested in providing hands-on education, training and volunteer opportunities for everyone in the local community, regardless of experience level. Attendees at local education events and work parties can expect to learn what makes prairie so unique, how to identify and control invasive plant species, how to enhance habitat for pollinators and how to conduct prescribed burns. Along with these tangible skills, the Chapter strives to inspire hope. “In the face of climate change it’s easy for people to feel discouraged, dispirited and powerless. We believe that creating community, exploring the wonders of our native places and joining together in skillful work to protect and restore such places is uplifting, hope-inducing and rewarding,” says Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter Board Representative Greg Heberlein.

Beyond the proven environmental benefits of stewarding native ecosystems—from providing critical habitat for threatened wildlife and enhancing soil health to combating carbon emissions and improving water quality—Minnesotans stand to gain a priceless connection to the natural communities in their own backyards. “I grew up in Minnesota, and I lived there for 40 years without really knowing what a prairie was until a few years ago,” says Debra Behrens, Executive Director of The Prairie Enthusiasts. “Thinking of young people learning about the land around them and being inspired to care for that land… it’s truly a wellspring of hope.”

Please join us in welcoming our new Chapter and stay tuned for upcoming events! For more information, contact Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org or click here to sign up for Chapter emails.

 

This article appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of The Prairie Promoter, a publication of news, art and writing from The Prairie Enthusiasts community. Explore the full collection and learn how to submit your work here.

Management Toolbox: How to Prioritize Removing Invasive Species

Management Toolbox: How to Prioritize Removing Invasive Species

by | Apr 2, 2025 | Management Methods

Management Toolbox: How to Prioritize Removing Invasive Species  

Story by Jim Rogala, President 

The purpose of this regular section of The Prairie Promoter is to keep proper management methods fresh in your mind. These short articles will sometimes reference past or future articles that contain details on the selected topic. Others will just be some food for thought. I encourage others to provide ideas for articles. You can send those ideas to me at jrogala@theprairieenthusiasts.org.

Prioritizing the sometimes-long list of invasive species to combat  

Oftentimes serving on a committee seems like a burden, albeit necessary. However, those meetings provide an opportunity for committee members to engage in interesting discussions. A recent Land Management Committee meeting found its members talking about strategies for dealing with a long list of invasive species in a management plan. Seldom do we have the resources to control all the invasive species present, so how do we prioritize our management actions?

Let me offer an example of a process that might be used. There are several factors leading to my decision to control a species. The first factor I consider is whether the species has shown up because of a disturbance. Many species take advantage of the lack of competition but can’t compete in the long-term as other more conservative plants establish. Some examples are Queen Anne’s Lace, Mullein, and Canada Thistle. I realize it is difficult to just ignore these and wait them out, but leaving each species can be justified. Both Queen Anne’s Lace and Mullein are biennials and could be controlled by pulling. However, remember why they showed up in the first place, and consider how the additional soil disturbance might perpetuate the problem. Canada Thistle is a deeply rooted perennial that one might suspect could outcompete establishing prairie plants but that is not the case, as it will succumb to solid competition from native plants given enough time. 

In contrast to species that respond to disturbance, there are those that can invade remnant sod. These pesky species require attention because once established they can spread and have an impact on prairie species. Some of these heavy hitters include Crown Vetch, Leafy Spurge, and Spotted Knapweed (I won’t list more because it can be depressing!). These usually require herbicide use, although there are some biocontrol methods that can at least keep populations controlled to some degree. 

I’ve just scratched the surface of this topic here. Look for an upcoming article by Dan Carter in which he will delve into the factors behind why to prioritize control of some invasive species over others.

What timescale do you plan at?

Keeping with the theme of topics discussed at Land Management Committee meetings, one of the committee’s primary responsibilities is to approve land management plans. These are required for all lands owned by The Prairie Enthusiasts, land with easements and areas with management agreements. These are long-term plans, although we are now planning to update them in a 10-year interval. We have also formally added some goals for a 10-year period in our management plans, a period that might require a substantial amount of work for new sites. Although these plans provide valuable context for conducting management, actions are usually planned at much shorter timescales. I like to develop 1-year plans that focus work for the upcoming year. These plans can be much more detailed and therefore provide the basis for scheduling specific work throughout the year. I’d encourage anyone managing lands to consider having plans at several scales, preferably written plans rather than ones just floating around in our heads.

This article appeared in the Fall 2024 edition of The Prairie Promoter, a publication of news, art and writing from The Prairie Enthusiasts community. Explore the full collection and learn how to submit your work here. 

Invasive Queen Anne’s Lace. Unknown photographer.

Enthusiasm for Restoration Proves Contagious on Rattlesnake Ridge

Enthusiasm for Restoration Proves Contagious on Rattlesnake Ridge

by | Apr 2, 2025 | Inspiration

Enthusiasm for Restoration Proves Contagious on Rattlesnake Ridge

Story by Cassidy Coulson and David Myers, Chapter Support Staff

Colorful display of diverse plant life at Rattlesnake Ridge, including purple prairie clover and rattlesnake master. Photo by Sue Steinmann.

Many people in The Prairie Enthusiasts community have interesting tales to tell of chance encounters that result in new land protected, or that inspire someone to become a Prairie Enthusiast. The protection of Rattlesnake Ridge in Southern Wisconsin is just one of those stories

In the fall of 1984, Sue Steinmann and Bill Weege purchased 40 acres in Arena, WI with the intent of building a property on the land and being close to Madison where Bill taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the art department and Sue attended graduate school for horticulture. They didn’t want that much property but needed enough acreage to obtain a building permit. Sue and Bill moved to the property in April. When they looked outside as spring brought blossoms to the sand barrens and the neighboring ridgetop prairie, they thought, “What the heck did we buy?!”

As the seasons progressed, Sue and Bill realized they were sitting on a prairie. “We knew what we had, but we had no experience in trying to preserve it or what we needed to do,” Sue said. “We just started reading and talking to friends.” 

With the unexpected ground cover of bird’s foot violet on Sue and Bill’s newly acquired property, they knew they needed to care for this rare place. Before moving to Arena, Sue and Bill had dabbled in conservation efforts. They met Gary Eldred and other members of The Prairie Enthusiasts, and they volunteered for the toad and frog survey for the state of Wisconsin. But this was a bigger mission they were being called to. They felt the drive to restore this rare habitat and ensure it kept thriving long into the future. 

It was Rich Henderson’s chance meeting with Sue Steinmann at the Madison farmers’ market in 1990 that ignited a decades-long commitment to prairie restoration. Sue was selling flowers at the market when Rich, a leader of The Prairie Enthusiasts and the Empire-Sauk Chapter, happened to notice that among her offerings was rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium). He asked Sue where she got them from. “They’re not very common,” Rich said. Sue explained that the plant grew on her property. It was this exchange that prompted Rich to ask if he could see her land. “She invited me out to Arena, and sure enough it was a remnant prairie,” Rich said. It was this meeting, and the uniqueness of rattlesnake master in Sue’s bouquets, that would eventually give Rattlesnake Ridge its name.

Monarch butterfly lands on rattlesnake master. Photo by Sue Steinmann.

As someone who spent nearly 40 years working as a Research Ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, it is not surprising that a sighting of rattlesnake master piqued Rich’s interest. The fact that Sue and Bill took such a fervent interest in restoration work is what makes Rattlesnake Ridge such a success story. 

With help from Rich, the couple started making connections with community members who were also passionate about restoration work. They deepened their knowledge and brought others into their work at Rattlesnake Ridge. From Bill clearing cedar with one of his graduate students to Sue looking for grants through the Wisconsin DNR, they threw themselves into land stewardship. Bill put an incredible amount of work into the land and left his mark. Sue remarked, “He would just disappear for hours and say, ‘I’m going up to the prairie!’ He absolutely loved it.”

Sue and Bill eventually purchased the ridge top prairie from a neighbor, preventing the remnant prairie from being plowed and planted. They sold the property to The Prairie Enthusiasts in 2015 and were asked to stay involved as Site Stewards. Sue “of course” said yes;  however, she felt a little in over her head during the first few years of her new role. “So many preserve owners and chapter members are professionals from the DNR with an awful lot of experience,” Sue reflected. “Then come Bill and me, an artist and a horticulturist. I needed more guidance, and it took a long time for me to get confident.”  

A woman poses with several dishes of food.

Sue at home in Arena, hosting one of her famous thank-you dinners for volunteers and supporters. Photo by Beth Shannon.

According to Rich, Sue and Bill’s level of engagement was “unusual,” and was the biggest surprise to Rich as he approached Rattlesnake Ridge as a project. Despite Sue’s trepidation, she had a “knack for” stewardship. Rich said: 

Sue and Bill were very much good stewards. They took to what we were doing immediately. When you find landowners that are that engaged, that are asking questions, that’s great. Sue’s doing what we should be doing on all our sites, but we don’t always have stewards that have the interest or background or time commitment. She has thank-you events for all the volunteers and keeps reaching out through friends and connections and bringing people in who don’t even know The Prairie Enthusiasts. There’s a core group now of volunteers, either directly through The Prairie Enthusiasts or through personal connections of Sue’s, that have been brought together.

After 35 years of land stewardship, Bill Weege passed in 2020. Sue has continued on with restoration work and basks in the beauty that land stewardship brings. In the sand barrens, she experienced an eruption of lupine blooms after clearing a hillside of oak scrub. “It’s like magic,” she remarked. She has a fondness for butterfly milkweed in the sand barrens as well, and “can’t have enough purple prairie clover” on the ridge top prairie. 

The original acreage that The Prairie Enthusiasts purchased from Sue and Bill in 2015 covered 43 acres. In 2017, Sue and Bill helped The Prairie Enthusiasts acquire an additional 37 acres from a neighboring family, and in 2019, they donated another 16 acres that they bought from their neighbors.

The preserve that The Prairie Enthusiasts currently holds title on is 96 acres. Sue has another 100-plus acres that she’s working on. “It’s a pretty significant couple hundred acres there,” Rich said. “It goes down into the river valley system, with sand prairie and sand barrens from the sands along the Wisconsin River, so there’s a lot of intact habitat. There’s a lot of reptiles, like hog-nosed snakes and many more uncommon species; it’s great habitat.”

According to Rich, there’s a lot to be hopeful for in this work. Stewards are burning and clearing brush, allowing rare and endangered plants to thrive in the abundant sunlight. Rich remarked, “They can come back. It’s not all gone yet.”

Recently, Sue hosted a couple dozen supporters and volunteers for food and celebration on the property. As Rich pointed out, these gatherings are not unusual for Sue to host, underlining the joy and heart she brings to her role as a Site Steward.

When Sue and Bill first discovered they had purchased a prairie remnant back in 1985, they knew they were embarking on a special journey. sue said, “Bill and I always wanted to see the land get better and pass it on so people could enjoy it.” Through Sue and Bill’s efforts and community organizing, they have indeed achieved their mission.

Because of Sue and Bill’s decades of dedication, Rattlesnake Ridge can be enjoyed for generations to come. This habitat, like all prairies and oak savannas, will require continual stewardship, but the diversity of life there wouldn’t exist today without the couple’s care throughout the years. Bill and Sue may have started as mentees, but they became mentors. They have ignited relationships with the land and inspired a community of new land stewards, ensuring Rattlesnake Ridge will be cared for long into the future.

Anyone looking to help steward this property can contact Sue at ssteinmann6@gmail.com.

Seven people and a dog gathered around a table and smiling at the camera.

Rattlesnake Ridge supporters and volunteers gather for food and celebration on September 10, 2024. From left to right: Cupcake, Sue’s springer spaniel and Rattlesnake Ridge ambassador; Rob Baller, Prairie Enthusiast and volunteer; Darcy Kind, Wisconsin DNR Landowner Incentive Program (sitting); Sue Steinmann, Landowner and Site Steward; Jeb Barzen, Prescribed Burn Boss; Bill Moore, Land Manager and Burn Boss; Samantha Crownover, neighbor; Diane Iles, friend and supporter of Sue’s.

This article appeared in the Fall 2024 edition of  The Prairie Promoter, a publication of news, art and writing from The Prairie Enthusiasts community. Explore the full collection and learn how to submit your work here.