by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Apr 2, 2026
Monthly Prairie Hike: Ottawa Bluffs Preserve
Monday, April 6 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Ottawa Bluffs Preserve in Ottawa, MN
Join us on a search for spring Pasqueflower! More info: The Nature Conservancy – Ottawa Bluffs
LOCATION:
Roadside parking with limited off-road parking. Park on the east shoulder of Highway 23, facing north (44.36337, -93.93509)
This hike is part of a monthly hiking series hosted by the Many Rivers Chapter. For more details on this event and their monthly hike series, CLICK HERE.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 30, 2026
Hanley Savanna Tour and Earth Day Work Party
Wednesday, April 22 – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Hanley Savanna in Hanover, IL
Hanley Savanna is a 160-acre prairie, savanna, and woodland restoration in rural Hanover, Illinois. Owned by The Prairie Enthusiasts and stewarded by the Northwest Illinois Chapter since 2003, this site has transformed from row cropland and white pine plantation to several types of prairie ecosystems, including tall grass prairies, oak savannas, fens, sand blowouts, and black oak barrens.
Join Chapter members and support staff for a tour and afternoon work party on this site to celebrate Earth Day!
Registration is free to attend. Find more information and register HERE.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 25, 2026
Tour of Three Rivers Park District Nursery
Tuesday, April 28 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Three Rivers Park District Nursery at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve in Hanover, MN
Join the Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter for a guided, walking tour of the Three Rivers Park District Nursery. Three Rivers Park District operates a year-round, 55-acre plant materials nursery at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, which produces approximately 12,500 large native bareroot trees and shrubs, 50,000 native tree and shrub seedlings, 300 large native trees and 2,000 native flowering plants annually. Registration is free and capped at 25 attendees.
To learn more and to register for this event, CLICK HERE.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 13, 2026
Graef Prairies Walk
Sunday, August 2 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Graef Prairies in Potosi, WI
Participants can visit two prairies – a lower wet mesic creekside 12-acre prairie which is separated by a steep woodland from a drier 14-acre hilltop prairie. The creekside prairie supports a variety of forbs with Indian grass and big bluestem grass being dominant. Cupplant, Compass plant, and Wild White Indigo are frequent.The hilltop prairie is bordered on the South slope by a rare remnant Chinquapin Oak savanna which in August should show a strong violet coloration from prominent Illinois Tick trefoil and other blooming forbs.
After the prairie walk, a visit to the Potosi Brewery at 209 S Main St for refreshments is recommended.
This event is proudly part of Land Trust Days.
DIFFICULTY:
The creekside prairie is relatively level and accessible on foot. Access to the hilltop prairie requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Richard can transport participants in his vehicle as needed to take advantage of the amazing vista.
WHAT TO BRING:
Water, sunscreen, bugspray, hat and binoculars recommended.
CONTACT:
For questions, contact Becky Fernette at bspence@tds.net.
LOCATION:
Take County road O out of Potosi/Tennyson about one mile and turn left onto Rockville Road. For parking, proceed to the third driveway to the left off of Rockville Road with our log house visible in the background. A steel footbridge is the access to the house. Fire number 5353 is posted at the second exit which will take you over a bumpy drive directly to the log house. Access to the hilltop can be done on foot (steep hike) or driving up the first exit off of Rockville Road, (4 wheel drive). We’ll meet at the log house for introductions before going into the prairies.
by Evanne Hunt | Mar 11, 2026
Butterfly Hunts
Bob Marquis, noted botanist, biologist, and insect expert, leads us for a second year as we conduct a butterfly survey of Alexander oak savanna. Our goal is to add to the known list of the butterfly species that occur at Alexander.
Photo credit: Eric Preston
Date: May 30 (Saturday)
Time: 10am – Noon
Over the years, many of you have helped us on cold winter days to restore the Alexander oak savanna. Here is an opportunity to become acquainted with the site in the summer, and help us document its butterfly fauna. We will get to know the different types of butterflies, how to capture them without harming them, and how to photograph them.
Novices and experts are all welcome. Bring a butterfly/insect net if you have one. 1-3 hours.
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
