by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 21, 2026
Buffalo County Hike on Private Land
Sunday, August 16 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Private prairie reconstructions near Alma, WI
We don’t often have events in our Chapter’s northern most counties, so here is an opportunity to meet with people active in prairie conservation in Buffalo and nearby Counties. Terry and Renee Schoonover will be hosting a tour of their prairie reconstructions and a peek at some early work on converting forest to open woodland.
We’ll meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Schoonover’s property and start with a tour of the projects. At noon, Terry and Renee are hosting a potluck, followed by a short meeting where Chapter leadership will present an overview of The Prairie Enthusiasts and discuss how prairie people in the area can stay connected.
CONTACT:
Please RSVP to Jim Rogala at (jrogala58@gmail.com) if you plan to attend.
LOCATION:
S2274B Flury Ridge Ln (MAP)
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Field Trip at Weaver Dunes
Saturday, August 22 – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Weaver Dunes in Wabasha County, MN
A perennial favorite, we’re pleased to host another field trip at Weaver Dunes in 2026. This site has exceptional conservation value, consisting largely of sand prairie with it’s associated unique plants and species of rare wildlife.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Jim Raich at (jim1.raich@gmail.com).
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Field Trip at Glenn Heins’ Property
Saturday, August 1 – Time TBD
Location: Glenn Heins’ Property in Winona County, MN
Join us at the property of Glenn Heins to see multiple plots of planted prairie that were established in different years. We had a field trip at Glenn’s property in 2021 and it was a big success. People on that field trip had great discussions about various restoration planting and management methods, lots of ideas were exchanged, and everyone enjoyed seeing the wildflowers in bloom.
For more information and to RSVP, shoot an email to Glenn at (glenn.heins@gmail.com).
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Field Trip at Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area
Sunday, July 26 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Prairie Creek WMA in Rice County, MN
Last year’s field trip at Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area was a huge success and we’re having another field trip this year. Prairie Creek WMA is in Rice County and the Minnesota Driftless Chapter is partnering with the Friends of Prairie Creek to increase appreciation of this important area, provide educational opportunities such as field trips, and hold stewardship work days.
For more information and to RSVP, send an email to Steve Winter at (WinterSL8944@gmail.com).
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Fire Effects at Pleasure Valley Conservancy Tour
Wednesday, July 22 – 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Pleasure Valley Conservancy, WI
Join us for a tour of Pleasure Valley Conservancy. This 213-acre site contains oak savanna and woodland that have been managed with fire for over 20 years. We will observe the effects of long-term prescribed fire and other management and have an opportunity to observe the many plant and wildlife species that depend on increasingly rare, fire-adapted oak habitats.
Our tour will take us on an approximately one-mile hike on established trails with a few steep portions.
This event is occurring in conjunction with the Northeast-Midwest Prescribed Fire Science and Management Workshop.
Registration is limited to 20 people (no charge). Please RSVP thorough the workshop registration page using THIS LINK. Registration closes at 5:00 PM on July 7. (Contact Rob after the registration closes if you are interested after the window closes.)
WHAT TO BRING:
Wear long pants and bring water, hat, and sunscreen.
FIELD TRIP LEADER:
Rob Schubert (rschubert@theprairieenthusiasts.org).
DIRECTIONS:
The street address is 10747 Moyer Rd., Blue Mounds, WI. Parking is available along Moyer Rd. Limited parking is available on-site. A small parking area is available for overflow parking on the north side of Moyer Rd. at adjacent Parrish Oak Savanna. MAP HERE
