Come explore remnants of dry bluff prairies and restorations of wetlands, streams, and wet-to-mesic prairie of the 100-acre Shea Prairie. This is a unit of The Prairie Enthusiasts’ 830-acre Mounds View Grassland that has undergone extensive stream and wetland restoration beginning in 2012. A great diversity of high summer prairie wildflowers should be in bloom, including Culver’s-root, rosinweed, compass plant, rattlesnake master, prairie blazingstar, and many more.

DIFFICULTY: Be prepared for a long hike, some off trail.

WHAT TO BRING:
We recommend long pants, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and water.

FIELD TRIP LEADER:

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 encounter rich displays of mid-summer prairie flowers such as compass plant, western sunflower, Culver’s-root, rattlesnake master, and prairie blazingstar. Along the way, we will also have opportunities to observe and hear uncommon grassland birds, as well as 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.

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.)

Come see what six million acres of southern and western Wisconsin once looked like. Displays of prairie blazing star, false foxglove, rattlesnake master, pale Indian plantain, and dozens of other prairie and savanna flowers should be in bloom. This diverse 9-acre preserve of The Prairie Enthusiasts has had frequent fire since 1976, which has recovered a rich flora of nearly 400 native plant species.

WHAT TO BRING:
Dress for the weather and bring water. 

TRIP LEADER:
For questions and to RSVP, contact Rich Henderson (tpe.rhenderson@tds.net) (h) 608-845-7065.

DIRECTIONS:
From the intersection of CTH M and PD (north of Verona and SW of Madison) take PD west 3.0 miles to Timber Lane, turn right (north) on to Timber Lane and then immediately turn left into a joint driveway.  Proceed to the brick house (2845 Timber Lane).  Park in mowed lawn (please do not block the neighbor’s driveway).