by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 6, 2026
Labor Day Bike Ride on Railroad Remnants
Monday, September 7 – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Rockland, WI
A Bob Lee Memorial walk on bikes! Bob used to host hikes on railroad remnants along the La Crosse River State Trail out of Rockland up to ten times a year before his passing. It’s been a few years since we had a field trip there so bring your bikes for a leisurely ride while stopping to look at the prairies in this State Natural Area.
If anyone is interested, Jim Rogala will lead a hike at Rogala Prairies only 3 miles away after the Rockland field trip. We will grill some supper if people are interested and go look at plantings or remnant hill prairies. Pollinators should be out in good numbers feasting on goldenrods and asters!
CONTACT:
Please RSVP to Jim Rogala at (jrogala58@gmail.com) if you plan to attend either or both field trips and if you have any questions.
LOCATION:
Trail crossing in Rockland on Hwy J.
by Evanne Hunt | Aug 6, 2026
Presentation First
Join ecologist Dan Carter of The Prairie Enthusiasts for an engaging look at how to recognize, restore, and care for these rare ecosystems, and why they matter more than ever.
Dan brings decades of hands-on restoration experience, including work with oak woodlands and savannas across Wisconsin and beyond, as well as leadership in developing assessment tools for the Wisconsin DNR. From prairie reconstruction to regional conservation planning, his work connects science, restoration, and real-world land stewardship.
Whether you’re a naturalist, landowner, or simply curious about Wisconsin’s ecosystems, this is a chance to see and appreciate oak woodlands in a whole new way.
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 9am – 10am
Address: TBD
Map to location
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Woodland Tour
Following Dan’s presentation we will drive to Alexander Oak Savanna and tour the oak woodland on the hilltop.
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 11am – Noon
Address: 7829 WI-65, River Falls, WI 54022
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 27, 2026
Swenson Bluffs Preserve Field Trip
Saturday, August 15 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Swenson Bluffs Preserve in Arena, WI
The Agaski unit of Swenson Bluffs Preserve is coming along nicely. The upper CRP field is amazing, and the lower 12-acre field has been planted to prairie. The endangered pale false foxglove (Agalinis skinneriana) should be blooming along with many other plants in these remnant bluff prairies.
DIFFICULTY: There will be a challenging hill climb with steep hillsides. Sturdy boots are required.
WHAT TO BRING:
We recommend long pants, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and water.
TRIP LEADER:
Eric Preston, (415) 235-4182 or (ericwpreston@gmail.com).
DIRECTIONS:
The address is 7344 Mellum Road. From Highway 14 just west of Arena, turn south on County Highway H. Travel 2.5 miles and turn left (east) on Mellum Road. In 0.2 miles, turn left at the first driveway. Park at the end by the red shed or along the driveway. Do not block the neighbors (blue house) who share the driveway.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 27, 2026
Thomas Tract Field Trip
Sunday, August 9 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Thomas Tract in Barneveld, WI
The Thomas Tract site is under restoration: mostly grass pasture or corn fields. There are approximately 30 acres of CRP in various stages of quality. There should be some pretty, late summer blooms, sunflowers and such. Topics will be land management challenges: Burnett’s saxifrage in the pasture and the agricultural interface.
DIFFICULTY: There will be a lot of hiking on moderate terrain. We can look at the historic dolostone barn from the outside as well.
WHAT TO BRING:
We recommend long pants, sturdy shoes, a hat, water and sunscreen.
TRIP LEADER:
Contact Any Sleger, (608) 445-0038 (asleger@theprairieenthusiasts.org) with any questions or to RSVP.
LOCATION:
Address is 3975 County Highway T, Barneveld. From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County T (approximately 1 mile west of the US Hwy 18-151 intersection with County ID in Barneveld), take County T south for 0.4 miles to the parking lot on the left side of the road.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 27, 2026
Schurch-Thomson Prairie Field Trip
Saturday, August 8 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Schurch-Thomson Prairie in Barneveld, WI
Come for a hike into a portion of The Prairie Enthusiasts’ 830-acre Mounds View Grassland preserve. We will see the progress being made in bringing back to life degraded remnant prairies, converting non-native, cool-season grass to native prairie. We will encounter rich displays of mid-summer prairie flowers such as compass plant, western sunflower, Culver’s-root, rattlesnake master, and prairie blazingstar. Along the way, we will also have opportunities to observe and hear uncommon grassland birds, as well as butterflies and bumblebees.
DIFFICULTY: Be prepared for a long hike, some off trail and steep slopes. Prepare for moderate hiking over uneven terrain.
WHAT TO BRING:
We recommend long pants, sturdy shoes, a hat, water and sunscreen. Bring binoculars if you have them.
TRIP LEADER:
Contact Rich Henderson (tpe.rhenderson@tds.net) or (608) 845-7065.
LOCATION:
Address is 8624 Reilly Road, Barneveld. From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County F (south of Blue Mounds in western Dane County), take F approximately 5 miles south. Turn right onto Reilly Road and proceed to parking lot and kiosks at the end of the road (past the barn). (Note: A half mile down F from 18-151, pay close attention to the road signs, for F turns to the right & the straight ahead road becomes County Z. Stay on F.)
