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
by Evanne Hunt | Jul 10, 2026
Pollinator Walk with Author Heather Holm
Registration is closed.
Class limited to 20 people and we are full.
Date: Tuesday, July 21
Time: 11am until about 1:00pm
Address: Alexander Oak Savanna
7829 WI-65, River Falls, WI 54022
by Evanne Hunt | Jul 10, 2026
Butterfly Hunts
Northern Crescent at Alexander Oak Savanna by James Peterfeso
Bob Marquis, noted botanist, biologist, and insect expert, leads us as we conduct a butterfly survey of Blueberry Hill. Our goal is to add to the known list of the butterfly species that occur at the site.
Date: August 15 (Saturday)
Time: 10am – Noon
Novices and experts are all welcome. Bring a butterfly/insect net if you have one. 1-3 hours. We have a few extras.
Directions: 2900 Quant Ave., N, West Lakeland Township, MN
Map to location
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jun 29, 2026
Growing and Cultivating a Prescribed Fire Culture in Southeast Minnesota
Wednesday, July 22 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Prairie Hiland in Brownsville, MN
Hosted by The Prairie Enthusiasts, this free field trip and workshop is in partnership with the Root River Prescribed Burn Association, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, and the Minnesota Prescribed Fire Council in association with the 2026 Northeast-Midwest Regional Fire Science and Management Workshop. The event will highlight the many groups and individuals who have helped grow and cultivate a prescribed fire culture in southeast Minnesota in the last decade and will provide a forum for prescribed fire practitioners across a 20-state region to interact, communicate, share, and learn.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jun 29, 2026
Exploratory Summer Prairie Walk at Hanley Savanna
Saturday, August 8 – 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Hanley Savanna in Hanover, IL
Please join the Northern Illinois chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts for an exploratory walk through a summer prairie!
Hanley Savanna is a 160-acre prairie, savanna, and woodland restoration in rural Hanover, Illinois. Owned by The Prairie Enthusiasts and stewarded by the Northwest Illinois Chapter since 2003, this site has transformed from row cropland and white pine plantation to several types of prairie ecosystems, including tall grass prairies, oak savannas, fens, sand blowouts, and black oak barrens.
We hope to see bumblebees (maybe the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee) and lots of other pollinators and butterflies. Our guest leader will be biologist Beverly Paulan, an expert on native pollinators and their relationship to native plants. Bev is currently doing aerial surveys of local whooping crane populations in Wisconsin for the International Crane Foundation, and bat surveys for the Wisconsin DNR.
DIFFICULTY:
The trails are mown grass and relatively level.
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring water, insect repellent, and dress appropriately for the weather. There is an available portable relief station.
CONTACT:
Please RSVP to Laura Dufford at lauradufford@gmail.com and include your phone number in case of cancellation.
LOCATION:
Hanley Savanna is located at 9417 Whitton Road in Hanover, IL. We will meet at the shed. MAP HERE
