by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 21, 2026
Minnesota Driftless Chapter Annual Summer Meeting, Hike and Potluck
Sunday, September 27 – 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Bill and Paula Gregg’s property near Cannon Falls, MN
We hope you can join us on Sunday, September 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for our annual Minnesota Driftless Chapter annual summer meeting, hike and potluck! On the guided hike, you’ll see restored bluff prairie and oak savanna and learn about management work done on members Bill and Paula Gregg’s property over the last ten years. This event is free to attend!
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
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 The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 27, 2026
Empire-Sauk Chapter Annual Picnic
Monday, August 3 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Lewis Byrns Park and Giordano Oak Barrens and Sand Prairie in Lodi, WI
Mark August 3 on your calendar and plan to join us for the Empire-Sauk Chapter Annual Picnic. The fun will start at 5:00 p.m. at the Lewis Byrns Park north of Lodi. Potluck will begin at 5:30 followed by a short business meeting. We need to elect our vice chair and treasurer, and nominations are accepted. After the meeting, site steward Rob Schubert will lead a field trip at Giordano Oak Barrens and Sand Prairie.
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring a dish to share and utensils/cups.
CONTACT:
For questions, to RSVP, and if you have any nominations, contact Willis Brown (willisbrown55@gmail.com).
DIRECTIONS:
Directions to Lewis Byrns Park: The address is W10988 Rodney Dr, Lodi. Take State Highway 60 north from Lodi and turn left in 0.6 miles on Lindsay Road, which joins County J going north. Travel for 2.4 miles and continue straight on County V when County J turns off (County V joins County J from the west). Travel 2.2 miles to Rodney Dr. and turn left. The park will be on the right.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 27, 2026
Many Rivers Chapter Annual Potluck Picnic and Elections
Saturday, September 19 – Save the date!
Location: Brad Gaard’s property in New Ulm, MN
Save the date for Many Rivers’ annual picnic on September 19 at Brad Gaard’s. We will do a potluck and Many Rivers will provide pulled pork.
We will also hold annual elections.
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring a dish to share.
CONTACT:
Email Jim Lynch if you have questions and to RSVP. If for some reason there is a cancellation, it will be announced through the Many Rivers email list. Contact Jim to be added to the email list.
LOCATION:
19262 Co Rd 25
New Ulm, MN 56073
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 21, 2026
Coulee Region Chapter Social and Hikes
Saturday, September 26 – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Holland Sand Prairie, Midway Prairie and more
Save the date!
We haven’t had a gathering of members in a couple years, so here is your chance to join other members (non-members are welcome) and share your passion for prairies. We’ll start at 10:00 with a short hike at Holland Sand Prairie then go to Midway Prairie to see the progress being made to restore it. From there, we’ll go to Melinda Knutson and Dave Ford’s home on Lake Onalaska for a potluck lunch and socializing. More details to come!
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Rogala at (jrogala@theprairieenthusiasts.org).
