by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Iris Drive Seed Collecting
Sunday, September 13 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Iris Drive near Gays Mills, WI
Site Steward, Bob Retko, invites you to join us in seed collecting at Iris Drive Prairie, located near Gays Mills. This is one of many seed collecting work parties this fall.
Seed collection is relatively easy to do, requiring a minimum amount of time and effort in a peaceful prairie environment.
Seed collection aprons and containers will be provided. It is a great opportunity to learn more about local prairies, prairie plants and to meet new people.
WHAT TO BRING:
Volunteers are advised to wear long pants, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant. Bring a water bottle. too.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
The collecting will be lead by Bob Retko. If you need to contact him for any reason, such a questions about possible weather delays, you may email him at: retko2001@yahoo.com or call him on his cell phone at (262) 384-0081. An RSVP is not required, however it helps to know the approximate turnout.
DIRECTIONS:
18663 West River Road, Gays Mills/Bell Center. From the park and dam in Gays Mills take West River Road south 3.3 miles. Iris Drive will be a right turn. MAP HERE
From Bell Center, take Sand Creek road to Hwy 131. At the intersection continue ahead onto what now becomes Sand Hill Rd. After you cross the Kickapoo River take a right onto West River Rd. After driving approximately 0.7 miles take a left onto Iris Drive. Iris Drive is a dead end road. There is an east parking area where there is a jog in the road and a west parking area adjacent to the neighbor’s private land.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Iris Drive Seed Collecting
Saturday, September 5 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Iris Drive near Gays Mills, WI
Site Steward, Bob Retko, invites you to join us in seed collecting at Iris Drive Prairie, located near Gays Mills. This is one of many seed collecting work parties this fall.
Seed collection is relatively easy to do, requiring a minimum amount of time and effort in a peaceful prairie environment.
Seed collection aprons and containers will be provided. It is a great opportunity to learn more about local prairies, prairie plants and to meet new people.
WHAT TO BRING:
Volunteers are advised to wear long pants, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant. Bring a water bottle. too.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
The collecting will be lead by Bob Retko. If you need to contact him for any reason, such a questions about possible weather delays, you may email him at: retko2001@yahoo.com or call him on his cell phone at (262) 384-0081. An RSVP is not required, however it helps to know the approximate turnout.
DIRECTIONS:
18663 West River Road, Gays Mills/Bell Center. From the park and dam in Gays Mills take West River Road south 3.3 miles. Iris Drive will be a right turn. MAP HERE
From Bell Center, take Sand Creek road to Hwy 131. At the intersection continue ahead onto what now becomes Sand Hill Rd. After you cross the Kickapoo River take a right onto West River Rd. After driving approximately 0.7 miles take a left onto Iris Drive. Iris Drive is a dead end road. There is an east parking area where there is a jog in the road and a west parking area adjacent to the neighbor’s private land.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Iris Drive Seed Collecting
Sunday, August 30 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Iris Drive near Gays Mills, WI
Site Steward, Bob Retko, invites you to join us in seed collecting at Iris Drive Prairie, located near Gays Mills. This is one of many seed collecting work parties this fall.
Seed collection is relatively easy to do, requiring a minimum amount of time and effort in a peaceful prairie environment.
Seed collection aprons and containers will be provided. It is a great opportunity to learn more about local prairies, prairie plants and to meet new people.
WHAT TO BRING:
Volunteers are advised to wear long pants, closed toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellant. Bring a water bottle. too.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
The collecting will be lead by Bob Retko. If you need to contact him for any reason, such a questions about possible weather delays, you may email him at: retko2001@yahoo.com or call him on his cell phone at (262) 384-0081. An RSVP is not required, however it helps to know the approximate turnout.
DIRECTIONS:
18663 West River Road, Gays Mills/Bell Center. From the park and dam in Gays Mills take West River Road south 3.3 miles. Iris Drive will be a right turn. MAP HERE
From Bell Center, take Sand Creek road to Hwy 131. At the intersection continue ahead onto what now becomes Sand Hill Rd. After you cross the Kickapoo River take a right onto West River Rd. After driving approximately 0.7 miles take a left onto Iris Drive. Iris Drive is a dead end road. There is an east parking area where there is a jog in the road and a west parking area adjacent to the neighbor’s private land.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Eldred Prairie Seed Collecting
Saturday, August 29 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Eldred Prairie, Lancaster, WI
Enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna of Eldred Prairie, near Lancaster, and help us increase the biodiversity this 45-acre prairie remnant.
Weather permitting, no rain, we will collect plant seeds.
Your help is important to improve habitat on this prairie.
WHAT TO BRING:
Bring gloves, water, pruning shears if you have one, otherwise they’ll be provided.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
Please contact Ross Shrago 608-334-6942 shragoross@yahoo.com
If it rains, we will have to cancel. Contact Ross to be sure.
DIRECTIONS:
Directions to Eldred Prairie: 4200-4272 Lincoln Rd, about five miles east of Lancaster.
(Apple maps 42.83496 N, 90.63926 W)
(Google maps R9P6+55 Ellensboro, WI)
Park along the side of the road.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 20, 2026
Native Flower and Grass Seed Collection
Saturday, October 10 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, MN
Join The Prairie Enthusiasts on Saturday, October 10, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Franconia Sculpture Park for a hands-on native flower and native grass seed collection event. Participants will gather high-quality seeds to help restore and preserve vital local prairie habitats while enjoying the beautiful outdoor art landscape. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support regional conservation efforts and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts in our community!
This event is in collaboration with Franconia Sculpture Park.
