Rare Sand Barrens Ecosystem Preserved in Southeast Wisconsin    

Written by Reid Bartholomew
July 7, 2025

Photo by Jessica Bizub

EAGLE, WI—Wisconsinites can now visit one of Southeast Wisconsin’s rarest kinds of habitats just outside of Milwaukee. Mukwonago River Oak Barrens, a 61-acre property protected by The Prairie Enthusiasts in June of this year, features sand barren habitat, an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, and access to the pristine Mukwonago River. 

Located in Waukesha County, WI, Mukwonago River Oak Barrens harbors one of the finest remaining examples of sandy oak barrens in the region—an ecosystem rare in Southeast Wisconsin. The 61 acres of the former Christmas tree farm is teeming with life, supporting 275 native plant species within a mosaic of sedge meadow, moist savanna, and prairie. The Mukwonago River winds through the property in a lazy flow that belies the activity beneath the surface; over 50 species of fish can be found in the river, rivalling the diversity of much larger systems like the Wisconsin River and Mississippi Rivers. 

Pamela Meyers has been caring for the property for decades, working with her neighbors to support the health of the watershed and improve the quality of the habitat on the site. Knowing that the land was special, she has been bringing botanists, biologists, and ecologists to the property over the years so that she can understand the habitat better. 

One of those experts was The Prairie Enthusiasts Ecologist, Dan Carter. When the two walked the property together four years ago, Dan immediately saw what Pamela did—an ecosystem exceedingly rare in the region. 

“This piece of habitat has survived where so much has been lost to invasive brush and development—there’s almost nothing else like this in Southeastern Wisconsin,” Dan says. 

The site represents a swell of Prairie Enthusiasm in the Glacial Prairie Chapter—the second property protected by the Chapter, it is the largest site that they have protected to date. The presence of such rare habitat and the abundance of life that it supports has drawn together a tight-knit community dedicated to restoring the land to its full potential.  

For a year prior to The Prairie Enthusiasts protecting the site, volunteers with the Glacial Prairie Chapter have shown up weekly to steadily expand the footprint of the most valuable habitats on the site, linking the remnant old-growth ecosystems together into a single unit. The work is strenuous—massive Scotch pines leftover from the years as a Christmas tree farm are removed to provide light for native species in the oak barrens, and every acre cleared requires diligent follow-up of prescribed burns and the sowing of native seeds—but Pamela has marveled at the willingness of Prairie Enthusiasts to get their hands dirty to care for the 275 native species on the site. 

Located under an hour from Milwaukee in Waukesha County and minutes away from several units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, the Mukwonago River Oak Barrens is open to the public for a variety of outdoor recreation, including bird watching, hiking, and hunting. The site’s protection creates opportunities for education on ecology and land management practices for volunteers and local landowners alike. 

Support from Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and Members of The Prairie Enthusiasts have helped make the protection of this fire-dependent ecosystem possible.  

To learn more about Mukwonago River Oak Barrens, including recreational information and volunteer opportunities, visit ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org/Project/Mukwonago-River-Oak-Barrens. 

About The Prairie Enthusiasts 

The Prairie Enthusiasts is an accredited land trust that seeks to ensure the perpetuation and recovery of prairie, oak savanna, and other fire-dependent ecosystems of the Upper Midwest through protection, management, restoration, and education. In doing so, they strive to work openly and cooperatively with private landowners and other private and public conservation groups. Their management and stewardship centers on high-quality remnants, which contain nearly all the components of endangered prairie communities. 

Primary Contact: Sarah Barron, Advancement Manager 

608-676-7806 

SBarron@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org 

Secondary Contact: Debra Behrens, Executive Director 

608-676-0985 

DBehrens@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org 

Prairie Enthusiasm Ignites in the Twin Cities    

Written by Kysh Lindell
June 19, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS & SAINT PAUL—The Prairie Enthusiasts is thrilled to announce the formation of a new chapter of grassroots volunteers in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area: the Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter. The new chapter serves Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, and Wright Counties. 

The public is invited to the launch celebration on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm at the Richardson Nature Center in the Hyland Lake Park Reserve, 8737 E. Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, Minnesota. This drop-in event will feature presentations about The Prairie Enthusiasts and the new Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter, prairie walks, engaging activities and games, and refreshments. The short film Landscape Stories, Helen Allison Savanna will be on view. Guests are requested to RSVP at ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org/Minnesota-Oak-Savanna.

The new metro area Chapter joins 12 other chapters across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The Prairie Enthusiasts advocates for native habitats to ensure the perpetuation and recovery of prairie, oak savanna and other fire-dependent ecosystems through hands-on land protection, management, restoration and education.  

The Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter’s name reflects the historic abundance of oak savanna ecosystems that once existed in what is now the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. One-third of Minnesota was once prairie, but less than 2% of native grassland habitat remains. These open grassland habitats, composed of scattered oak trees and an understory of sun-loving prairie plants, support fascinating native wildlife like the state-endangered Henslow’s sparrow and federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee.  

Saint Paul resident Greg Heberlein, Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter Board Representative, remarks, “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.” 

Inspired by an outpouring of interest in caring for native ecosystems, the Chapter will provide hands-on education, training, and volunteer opportunities for everyone in the local community, regardless of experience level. Attendees at Chapter education events and work parties can expect to learn what makes prairies so unique and how to identify and control invasive plant species. They will collect seeds and enhance habitat for pollinators and learn to conduct prescribed burns. Along with these tangible skills, participants will gain a priceless connection to the natural communities in their own backyards. 

To learn more about the Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter including local events, volunteer opportunities, and activities, and to RSVP for the launch celebration by Friday, August 8, 2025, visit ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org/Minnesota-Oak-Savanna. 

About The Prairie Enthusiasts 

The Prairie Enthusiasts is an accredited land trust that seeks to ensure the perpetuation and recovery of prairie, oak savanna, and other fire-dependent ecosystems of the Upper Midwest through protection, management, restoration, and education. In doing so, they strive to work openly and cooperatively with private landowners and other private and public conservation groups. Their management and stewardship centers on high-quality remnants, which contain nearly all the components of endangered prairie communities. 

Primary Contact: Sarah Barron, Advancement Manager 

608-676-7806 

SBarron@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org 

Secondary Contact: Debra Behrens, Executive Director 

608-676-0985 

DBehrens@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org 

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 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 the Northwest Illinois Chapter’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 Northwest Illinois 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”.   

Flapper photographing the prairie. Photo by unknown Many Rivers 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. 

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 enjoying the prairie. Photo by Kay Wienke.

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.

Prairie Enthusiasm Ignites in the Twin Cities

Story by Kysh Lindell, The Prairie Enthusiasts AmeriCorps Member

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.

Habitat for a State Endangered Plant Gets Protected in Southern Wisconsin    

Written by David Myers. Photos by Eric Preston
December 9, 2024

View of Agaski Bluff Prairie. Photo by Eric Preston.

ARENA, Wis. — Wisconsin residents and visitors will now be able to enjoy hiking and sightseeing at one of the area’s last remaining prairies. Agaski Bluff, a 38-acre property protected by The Prairie Enthusiasts in December of this year, features spectacular views and is home to some of the state’s rarest plants and animals.  

Agaski Bluff, located in the Driftless Region, features dry bluffs, a narrow ridge and striking rock outcroppings with remnants of original prairie and oak woodland and savanna. The site contains many rare prairie species including Wisconsin’s largest population of pale false foxglove, a Wisconsin Endangered Species. The site is also adjacent to the 12-acre Swenson Bluffs, another property protected by The Prairie Enthusiasts. Protection of Agaski Bluff will now allow easy access to Swenson Bluffs, which previously could only be accessed by hiking in a half mile from the road. 

The previous landowners, Eric Preston and Kim Kreitinger, purchased the property in 2021 and had intentions of building a home on the site. As lifelong conservationists, they immediately started restoration efforts. They cleared invasive cedar trees, planted prairie, conducted prescribed burns and began restoring the oak woodland and savanna.  As their restoration continued, they questioned the impact of building a home on the site. It was a difficult, even heartbreaking realization, but they came to believe the best thing would be for The Prairie Enthusiasts to own and manage their land for generations to come.   

“We both are very strong believers that biodiversity is important. Native plants have been here for thousands of years if not hundreds of thousands of years and deserve to be protected,” Eric said. 

For thousands of years, the Upper Midwest was abundant with prairies and oak savannas that evolved to depend on fires, most of which were ignited by Indigenous Peoples. With the arrival of Europeans, this once vast landscape was almost entirely lost to the plow, lack of fire, introduction of nonnative species and development pressures. Today, only a tiny fraction remains.  

The Prairie Enthusiasts Executive Director Debra Behrens appreciates the enormity of Eric and Kim’s decision. “The Prairie Enthusiasts is grateful that Eric and Kim decided to protect this unique place,” Debra said. “It’s an absolute honor to help them with their land conservation goals and ensure Agaski Bluff will be available for all to enjoy long into the future.” 

Protecting and stewarding this rare example of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area landscape isn’t something Eric and Kim take lightly. “It matters to us, and it matters to a lot of people in our community,” Eric said. 

Support from Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin’s Southwest Badger Natural Resource Conservation Fund, Iowa County, and Members of The Prairie Enthusiasts have helped make the protection of this fire-dependent ecosystem possible. 

To learn more about Agaski Bluff, including recreational information and volunteer opportunities, visit ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org/Project/Agaski-Bluff.  

American lady caterpillar

About The Prairie Enthusiasts 

The Prairie Enthusiasts is an accredited land trust that seeks to ensure the perpetuation and recovery of prairie, oak savanna, and other fire-dependent ecosystems of the Upper Midwest through protection, management, restoration, and education. In doing so, they strive to work openly and cooperatively with private landowners and other private and public conservation groups. Their management and stewardship centers on high-quality remnants, which contain nearly all the components of endangered prairie communities. 

Primary Contact: Sarah Barron, Advancement Manager 

608-676-7806 

SBarron@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org 

Secondary Contact: Debra Behrens, Executive Director 

608-676-0985 

DBehrens@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org