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 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 member Bill Gregg’s property over the last ten years. This event is free to attend!
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
by Evanne Hunt | Aug 17, 2026
The Big Chapter Meetup
Join your fellow Prairie Enthusiasts for a chance to catch up! Bring a friend!
Registration (click here) is not required, but helps to get a headcount.
In addition, Dan Carter, TPE ecologist, is in town for Saturday’s presentation. Come and pick Dan’s brain!
Date: Friday, September 11
Time: 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Location: Keys Cafe Bakery & Bar
840 Carmichael Rd, Hudson, WI
Map to location
Food
Food and drinks will be available for purchase individually.
by Evanne Hunt | Aug 12, 2026
Join us for a potluck dinner, prairie tour, and mini-golf
Join us for a mini-golf tournament.
Date: Thursday, September 3
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:30pm
Location:W965 WI-29, Spring Valley, WI 54767
Map to location
Join fellow prairie enthusiasts at Crystal Cave in Spring Valley, WI—thanks to the contribution of chapter member Eric McMaster, who is hosting this chapter get-together.
We’ve organized a mini-golf tournament, a prairie tour, and a potluck dinner, and Eric is going above and beyond by providing the beer! Family and friends are welcome!
Mini-Golf
Fun, fun, and more fun! Golfers of all skill levels can participate in on-course games and enjoy the extra entertainment.
This will be an easy, light-hearted golf tournament. We will create 4-person teams. Teams will keep track of their scores. There will be awards for lowest score, closest to par, highest, etc. There will be prizes!
Potluck
The chapter is providing pulled pork and buns. Eric is providing the beer. Please bring a side dish, appetizer, salad, or dessert to share.
Family and friends are welcome!
Questions?
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.
