Swenson Bluffs Preserve Field Trip

Sunday, May 17 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Location: Swenson Bluffs Preserve in Arena, WI

Swenson Hill Prairie is a spectacular large bluff prairie noted for its steepness and lack of exotic species that should be in spectacular spring bloom on this weekend. Acquired by TPE in 2017, this is an orientation for those not familiar to the site as well as a tour of its diversity and management challenges.

The focus of this trip is the big hill prairie visible from County Highway H. The bluff was burned in April, and the prairie spring ephemerals should be on full display. We may also have time to visit Shooting Star Prairie, a smaller remnant that is also part of the preserve.

Two years ago, this field trip wandered through wet grass between full-on rain showers before and after. Let’s hope for clear weather this year. There will be a challenging hill climb.

WHAT TO BRING:
Dress for the sun and for chiggers.

TRIP LEADER:
Scott Sauer, scottbsauer@yahoo.com, 608.772.3539. Contact Scott for directions, meeting location and/or to arrange travel from the Madison area.

DIRECTIONS:
The property is approximately 1.5 miles south of Highway 14 on County H, west of the village of Arena. Highway 14 is the main route, but from the south, one can also reach the site from Ridgeway via County Hwy H, or from Barneveld via County Hwy T.