Field Trip to Alexander Oak Savanna

Wednesday, July 9 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Location: Alexander Oak Savanna

This trip will be co-led by Alex Bouthilet from the St. Croix Valley chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts and Emilee Martell from the Driftless Area Land Conservancy.  This field trip shows how restoring fire to the savanna benefits the native species.  Hosts will also answer questions related to prescribed burning.

The 45-acre Alexander oak savanna is in Pierce county, WI, within the Kinnickinnic River watershed and the Western Prairie Ecological Landscape (a Wisconsin DNR designation). It was purchased by The Prairie Enthusiasts in 2018.  Since 2000, the St. Croix Valley chapter cooperatively managed the property with the previous owners.

This effort has resulted in one of the largest restored dry-mesic prairie and oak savanna complexes in our chapter’s geographic area. We have identified 120 native species on the site, including prairie turnip (Pediomelum esculentum). Many species present are threatened or special concern in Wisconsin.

The Prairie Enthusiasts is made up of 12 regional chapters. Our mission is to ensure the perpetuation and recovery of prairie, oak savanna, and other associated ecosystems of the Upper Midwest through protection, management, restoration, and education.

This field trip is in conjunction with Gathering Waters’ Land Trust Days and the Northeast-Midwest Prescribed Fire Workshop

FIELD TRIP QUESTIONS
Please email Evanne if you have questions.

LOCATION
Address:  7829 WI-65, River Falls, WI
Directions:  Take highway 35 south towards River Falls.
Take highway 65 south (35 turns into 65) toward Ellsworth.
Gravel road entrance is on the right just after the Town of River Falls town hall.

MAP