by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Sep 29, 2026
Restoration Field Trip at Hovell Family Farm
Sunday, October 11 – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Hovell Family Farm in Galesville, WI
Join us at the Hovell Family Farm in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin for a field trip to enjoy early fall botanizing and see the restoration progress at several parts of the farm. This event is free to attend.
Our hosts will be Kathy Hovell and her nephew Bill Hovell. For the past several years, Bill has been restoring bluff prairies at the farm, as well as oak savannas and woodlands. With each year of his work, he sees new native species that he hadn’t seen before, species that are able to thrive following his restoration efforts.
The Prairie Enthusiasts’ Ecologist, Dan Carter, has been to the farm to map and characterize the plant communities, identify and record species of conservation interest, and produce a recommended management plan. We’ll have copies of that report and plan available for participants to examine during the field trip.
Field trip participants can keep an eye out for any species Dan and Bill haven’t already recorded on the growing species list, and there will be many discussions about prescribed burning, invasive species control, and canopy thinning.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR THIS FREE EVENT HERE
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Sep 28, 2026
Field Trip at Fair Meadows
Saturday, October 10 – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Fair Meadows Sanctuary and State Natural Area in Rock County, WI
On October 10, we will be visiting Fair Meadows, a diverse, vibrant habitat in southern Wisconsin. This field trip will be a day of hiking, birding, seed collecting and general prairie enjoyment.
Fair Meadows is a wonderful example of what prairie restoration can be. Gary and Penny Shackelford began restoration work here began in 1990 with a goal of managing their property for multiple threatened and rare species. Currently the property features restored mesic prairies, oak woodlands and savannas, wet prairies, sedge meadows, open marshes, and a spring complex. Over 190 species of birds have been identified here as well. You can learn more about Fair Meadows HERE.
We will meet onsite at 10:00 a.m. Walks will occur on established trails throughout the 374-acre property. There is an opportunity to collect seeds for those who care to do so. Sanitation facilities will be available.
WHAT TO BRING:
Birding is excellent here, and highly recommended (bring binoculars!). Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and enjoy it on the property.
CONTACT:
If you have any questions, contact Mary Rice (treasurerprairiebluff@gmail.com).
LOCATION:
11305 N Vogel Rd, Milton, WI 53563.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Sep 14, 2026
Indigenous People’s Day: Work Party and Site Tour
Monday, October 12 – 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Schluckebier Sand Prairie and Gasser Sand Barren in Prairie du Sac, WI
Join Prairie Enthusiasts for a work party and site tour to honor Indigenous People’s Day. The event will start with honeysuckle removal at Gasser Sand Barren and end with a site tour of Schluckebier Sand Prairie led by Site Steward Brandon Mann. The sites have limited parking capacity so please register if you plan to join.
This event is free to attend.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
by Evanne Hunt | Sep 6, 2026
Help collect prairie seed
Join us to collect Euphorbia corollata (flowering spurge or our native “baby’s breath”).
Date: Monday, September 10, 2026
Time: 4 pm until about 6 pm
Location: we will collect along a roadside.
Meet at Kinnickinnic Natives nursery. .
235 WI-65, River Falls, WI 54022
Map to location
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Fourth Annual Hay Creek Hills Farm Tour
Saturday, September 19 – 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hay Creek Hills Farm in Red Wing, MN
Join Wendy Johnson and other prairie lovers on Saturday, September 19, for the Hay Creek Hills 4th Annual Farm Tour + More! You’ll enjoy beautiful restored and remnant prairies, delicious food, and fun music as we celebrate Mother Nature and the community supporting her.
The farm is on 100 acres just south of Red Wing, Minnesota. The farm includes portions enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and an Environmental Quality Incentives Program project that consists of a dry bluff prairie and oak savanna restoration.
Wendy began annual farm tours in 2023, and every year she’s added a little something different for guests. This year, Wendy’s adding seed collecting and vendor/organization tabling.
Two special guests will lead groups into the reconstructed prairie (planted in spring 2024) where you’ll learn about seed collection techniques, species, and prairie ecology: Karin Jokela with the Xerces Society and Alex Bouthilet from the St. Croix Valley Prairie Enthusiasts Chapter.
There will also be a handful of Red Wing makers of art and jams for sale and a tent with information from local conservation organizations.
Wendy’s crew will shoot the day’s events for her documentary film, Healing Ground: A Story of Restoration, but they will honor anyone’s desire not to be on camera.
The planned schedule is as follows. Come for any activity or stay all day:
- 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Seed Collecting
- 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Farm Tour
- 5:00 p.m. – Potluck begins
- 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Old Tyme Music Jamboree (bring your fiddle, guitar, uke, banjo, spoons, drum, cello, flute, or voice, to make a joyful sound!)
It’s a public event, so you’re welcome to share the event information with your friends and family and other conservation organizations as well!
CONTACT:
Please RSVP to Wendy (wendyjohnson2016@gmail.com) so she knows how many people to expect. Wendy will also contact people if the weather causes problems with the event.
LOCATION:
Next to 30817 Hay Creek Hills Dr., Red Wing, MN. Look for event signs when you get close. MAP HERE
