MINNESOTA DRIFTLESS WORK PARTY
Rice County Work Day
Saturday, August 31 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Angell Property
Work restoring this privately owned remnant bluff prairie started 20 years ago with invasive tree removal and burning by Diane Angell, her husband, and their three children. While all the large trees were removed long ago, their legacy lives on with many smaller trees still re-sprouting every year! This workday will focus on treating small trees with herbicide.
We helped clear brush on this private land site in December. The landowners were impressed by how much we accomplished and want us to return and do more good work at this special prairie remnant.
On August 31, we’ll help the landowners again. The work will mostly be treating small trees with herbicide using paintbrushes, dabbers, and sprayers. Other work that could be done includes removing old barbed wire.
The property has benefited from numerous state and federal programs, including the MN DNR Native Prairie Tax Exemption Program, the Federal Conservation Reserve Program, and it is currently in the MN DNR Native Prairie Bank Program. Diverse wildlife spotted on this prairie include nesting shrikes, badgers, pocket gophers, prairie voles, meadowlarks, Henslow’s sparrow and regal fritillary butterflies. There are also many plant species uniquely found on sandy dry bluff prairies such as kitten tails.
WHAT TO BRING:
There will be a limited supply of hand clippers and loppers available for use but participants should bring their own if they have them. Herbicide and herbicide applicators will be supplied by the landowners.
Dress for the weather and maybe that would include a hat to keep the sun off your face. Bring leather gloves in case we work with the old barbed wire, and bring plenty of water or other hydrating liquid. Snacks, too, if they help you stay energized throughout the day.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
If you would like to RSVP for this work day, or ask a question about it, please send an email to Diane Angell. Be sure to RSVP so you can get directions to the site from Diane, and the people on the RSVP list will be notified if the event has to be cancelled due to bad weather.