by Evanne Hunt | May 13, 2026
Tour of private prairie
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea)
Alex Bouthilet will lead us on a tour of his prairie. The lupines and Indian paintbrush should be glorious!
This prairie started as a dense sod of exotic cool-season grasses. About 12 years ago it was inter-seeded with native prairie species and has been burned annually in the dormant season since then. During the tour we’ll look at how repeated fire and inter-seeding have gradually shifted the site toward a more diverse native prairie, along with what has worked well and what challenges still remain.
Date: June 11 (Thursday)
Time: 5-6:30 pm
Location: 638 170th Street, Osceola, WI
Map
Bring: Drinking water (it may get hot)
Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | May 8, 2026
Swenson Bluffs Preserve Field Trip
Sunday, May 17 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Swenson Bluffs Preserve in Arena, WI
Swenson Hill Prairie is a spectacular large bluff prairie noted for its steepness and lack of exotic species that should be in spectacular spring bloom on this weekend. Acquired by TPE in 2017, this is an orientation for those not familiar to the site as well as a tour of its diversity and management challenges.
The focus of this trip is the big hill prairie visible from County Highway H. The bluff was burned in April, and the prairie spring ephemerals should be on full display. We may also have time to visit Shooting Star Prairie, a smaller remnant that is also part of the preserve.
Two years ago, this field trip wandered through wet grass between full-on rain showers before and after. Let’s hope for clear weather this year. There will be a challenging hill climb.
WHAT TO BRING:
Dress for the sun and for chiggers.
TRIP LEADER:
Scott Sauer, scottbsauer@yahoo.com, 608.772.3539. Contact Scott for directions, meeting location and/or to arrange travel from the Madison area.
DIRECTIONS:
The property is approximately 1.5 miles south of Highway 14 on County H, west of the village of Arena. Highway 14 is the main route, but from the south, one can also reach the site from Ridgeway via County Hwy H, or from Barneveld via County Hwy T.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | May 8, 2026
Pleasure Valley Oak Savanna Fire Effects Tour
Saturday, May 16 – Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Pleasure Valley Conservancy, WI
Join us for a tour of remnant and restored oak savannas on this Driftless Area property. We will hike through several areas in various stages of ecological restoration. Learn how fire management has been used to restore and maintain these natural communities, which provide habitat for rare species. The tour will focus on areas where prescribed fire was implemented during fall 2025 through spring 2026 and observing the results of seasonality and frequency of fire implementation.
At this time of year, we can expect to see neotropical migrants and early spring wildflowers, like yellow-star grass and wild columbine. And sedges!
WHAT TO BRING:
We will be walking approximately 2.5 miles on trails over occasional steep terrain. Please bring water and appropriate footwear. Long pants and hat are recommended for protection against sun and ticks.
FIELD TRIP LEADERS:
For questions and/or to RSVP, contact Rob Schubert or Pat Trochlell (608-767-3111).
DIRECTIONS:
Meet at 10747 Moyer Road, Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | May 1, 2026
Tiffany Bottoms Train Ride
Saturday, May 16 – 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Chippewa Valley Motor Car Association in Durand, WI
Join us for an open-air mini train ride through remote areas of the 13,000-acre Tiffany Wildlife Area! This event is a Fundraiser for The Prairie Enthusiasts Chippewa Savannas Chapter. Proceeds will support our Chapter’s local prairie and savanna restoration efforts and educational events.
To learn more and to register for this event, CLICK HERE!
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Apr 20, 2026
Mounds View Grassland Hike to Explore and Monitor Progress of Prairie Plantings
Saturday, April 25 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Mounds View Grassland in Barneveld, WI
Inspecting prairie plantings shortly after a spring burn is an excellent way to quickly assess how early emerging species are establishing. At this stage, they are easy to detect, and we can estimate numbers before other vegetation emerges and obscures them. Now is a good time to look for shooting star, nodding wild onion, needle-grass, prairie dropseed, sedges, prairie thistle, and all members of the umbel (Apiaceae) family, such as rattlesnake master, golden Alexander, angelic, cow parsnip, and yellow pimpernel.
There are many plantings at Mounds View Grassland. We will explore those that were burned this spring. You will learn how to identify these species as they emerge.
WHAT TO BRING:
Be prepared for a long walk, much of which will be off trail. Wear long pants and hiking boots/shoes. A hat, water and sunscreen are recommended.
CONTACT:
Rich Henderson, 608-235-4165
DIRECTIONS:
8624 Reilly Rd, 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, 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.)
