by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 14, 2026
Blue Mounds State Park to Parrish Oak Savanna Field Trip
Saturday, August 29 – Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Blue Mounds State Park, Pleasure Valley Conservancy and Parrish Oak Savanna in Blue Mounds, WI
This hike is a joint event with Blue Mounds Area Project.
The 4-hour through-hike starts at Blue Mound State Park, moves through Pleasure Valley Conservancy and ends at the Parrish Oak Savanna. Explore the local geology and ecology and see some excellent land management that involves the hard work of state and county government, local non-profits, and private citizens. The Blue Mound Park trip includes a 5-mile hike from the East Tower over to Brigham County Park and completely traverses Pleasure Valley Conservancy ending at the top of Parrish Oak Savanna.
Geology enthusiasts may wish to download the Rockd app prior to the hike to help provide them with bedrock geology information.
This is a free event.
LEARN MORE AND RSVP HERE
DIFFICULTY: The hike will be uneven and hilly and walking poles may be useful for those that use them. A short water and bathroom break will be made at Brigham County Park.
WHAT TO BRING:
Wear long pants and bring water, hat, and sunscreen.
FIELD TRIP LEADER:
Ken Wade (608) 767-3111 or (kenneth.wade@tds.net).
DIRECTIONS:
Meet at The Prairie Enthusiasts Parrish Oak Savanna parking lot located on a wide shoulder area along Moyer Road 1/8 mile west from County Road F. Arrival prior to 12:00 will be helpful to allow time to organize the car shuttle to the East Tower parking area at Blue Mound State Park. Shuttle drivers to Blue Mound State Park will need a park sticker or daily pass.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 14, 2026
Schurch-Thomson Prairie Field Trip
Sunday, August 23 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 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 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 late-summer prairie flowers, such as cream gentian, rough blazingstar, and more. Along the way, we will also have opportunities to see 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. If you plan to attend this field trip, please let the trip leader know at least 12 hours in advance, in case of last-minute changes in the schedule or cancelation due to severe weather. Also contact him if you have questions.
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.)
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: Bethel Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall
920 3rd St, Hudson (downtown)
.
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.
