by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Apr 17, 2026
Wildflower Walk at Muralt Bluff SNA
Saturday, May 16 – 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Muralt Bluff in Albany, WI
Mid-May is a wonderful time to visit Muralt Bluff State Natural Area. The western-facing bluff will be alive with wildflowers such as bird’s foot violets and shooting stars, plus other species.
Come enjoy the flowers, the amazing vista, the fresh air up on the bluff. We’ll talk about the geology of the site, and the management that brought this prairie remnant back to glory. For this walk, we will focus on restoration of the bluff area.
For those interested, we will also visit adjacent Iltis Savanna, to view the oak savanna following prescribed burn this spring.
Muralt Bluff Prairie SNA is owned by The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE) & the WI Department of Natural Resources. It is managed by the local TPE Prairie Bluff Chapter.
Rain date TBD. Check our Facebook page if weather is uncertain.
DIFFICULTY: We will follow an easy footpath to visit wildflowers at the base of the bluff. Then we will climb one steep path to view the top of the bluff.
WHAT TO BRING:
Sturdy walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, water, Merlin app. Bring a walking stick or use one that we provide.
CONTACT:
For questions, contact Beth Kazmar at csa@tipiproduce.com. Event details will be updated on our Facebook page if weather is uncertain.
LOCATION:
Meet at Muralt Bluff parking lot, adjacent to W2635 Cty Hwy F, Albany WI.
Look for the “Muralt Bluff Prairie Reserve” sign at the parking lot entrance.
by Evanne Hunt | Apr 14, 2026
Sedge Flower Walk
Laura Baxley took this picture at Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, north of Hastings, MN, on May 13th, 2025.
We will walk around the Foster Conservation Area (including the pioneer cemetery) to identify sedge flowers. We will definitely see Mead’s sedge (Carex meadii), the bluish stiff running sedge and perhaps many others.
Foster was burned on April 7. This field trip will be a great opportunity to see the results and ask questions about prescribed burning.
Date: May 12 (Tuesday)
Time: 5 pm until about 6 pm or when you want to leave
Locations: Foster Conservation area
432 S Apollo Rd, River Falls
Meet at the entrance to the River Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Map
The site is back about 500 yards behind the Treatment Plant. The walk is along a level, dirt path. Once at the Foster site, you can stay on level ground or walk up a small hill to the cemetery.
Bring:
- Dress appropriately for weather
- Drinking water
- Camera!
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Apr 2, 2026
Monthly Prairie Hike: Minneopa State Park
Tuesday, May 19 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Minneopa State Park, MN
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.
LOCATION:
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
