by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Sep 8, 2026
Brush and Tree Removal at Ottawa Bluffs
Saturday, November 14 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur, MN
Learn more about Ottawa Bluffs HERE.
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring a lunch, plenty of beverage, appropriate (sturdy) foot wear, and work gloves. Leather gloves work best for brush work, thinner gloves (or none) for seed collection. Dress in layers with an eye toward the weather. Rain, snow, or shine, we will be out there.
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:
If you need help getting there: Look for the preserve sign and vehicles parked along the side of the highway. MAP
Alternatively, from LeSueur, take County 36 south to Co. 23 to the preserve.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Sep 8, 2026
Brush Control and Seed Collection at Ottawa Bluffs
Saturday, October 3 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur, MN
Learn more about Ottawa Bluffs HERE.
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring a lunch, plenty of beverage, appropriate (sturdy) foot wear, and work gloves. Leather gloves work best for brush work, thinner gloves (or none) for seed collection. Dress in layers with an eye toward the weather. Rain, snow, or shine, we will be out there.
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:
If you need help getting there: Look for the preserve sign and vehicles parked along the side of the highway. MAP
Alternatively, from LeSueur, take County 36 south to Co. 23 to the preserve.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area Workday
Sunday, September 20 – Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area in Red Wing, MN
Your help is needed to continue the progress being made towards prairie and savanna restoration on the Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area in Red Wing. The Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts received a Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant in 2025, and significant restoration work was accomplished with those funds.
Recently, another CPL grant was awarded, and phase 2 of the project will start in June. Phase 2 will consist of expanding on the work begun in 2025 and beginning new work on the restoration of several previously untouched areas of the property.
Several volunteer workdays have occurred so far this summer with approximately two acres of dry bluff prairie spot treated with herbicide in order to control buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, sumac and black locust. Work will consist of cutting and stump treating invasive woody plants such as buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, red cedar, black locust and sumac and constructing firebreaks for planned fall burns.
WHAT TO BRING:
A limited amount of hand tools like loppers will be available but if volunteers have some they can bring that would be helpful. Herbicide and herbicide application equipment will also be provided. Volunteers can bring their own brush cutters and chainsaws, along with gas and bar oil, if they are proficient in their safe use and bring appropriate PPE such as eye protection and chaps. As usual, all volunteers should bring enough hydrating liquids and snacks to keep them happy and healthy, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent.
CONTACT:
If you’d like to help during any of these workdays, send your RSVP to the project manager, Jeff Lightfoot, by email or phone: lightfoot.jeff56@gmail.com or (218) 290-7518. Be sure to send Jeff your RSVP so he can schedule each workday accordingly and notify folks if any plans need to be changed. Those who RSVP will also receive updates and specifics in advance of the workdays. You can also email or call Jeff if you have questions or are interested in knowing more.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area Workday
Sunday, September 13 – Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area in Red Wing, MN
Your help is needed to continue the progress being made towards prairie and savanna restoration on the Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area in Red Wing. The Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts received a Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant in 2025, and significant restoration work was accomplished with those funds.
Recently, another CPL grant was awarded, and phase 2 of the project will start in June. Phase 2 will consist of expanding on the work begun in 2025 and beginning new work on the restoration of several previously untouched areas of the property.
Several volunteer workdays have occurred so far this summer with approximately two acres of dry bluff prairie spot treated with herbicide in order to control buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, sumac and black locust. Work will consist of cutting and stump treating invasive woody plants such as buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, red cedar, black locust and sumac and constructing firebreaks for planned fall burns.
WHAT TO BRING:
A limited amount of hand tools like loppers will be available but if volunteers have some they can bring that would be helpful. Herbicide and herbicide application equipment will also be provided. Volunteers can bring their own brush cutters and chainsaws, along with gas and bar oil, if they are proficient in their safe use and bring appropriate PPE such as eye protection and chaps. As usual, all volunteers should bring enough hydrating liquids and snacks to keep them happy and healthy, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent.
CONTACT:
If you’d like to help during any of these workdays, send your RSVP to the project manager, Jeff Lightfoot, by email or phone: lightfoot.jeff56@gmail.com or (218) 290-7518. Be sure to send Jeff your RSVP so he can schedule each workday accordingly and notify folks if any plans need to be changed. Those who RSVP will also receive updates and specifics in advance of the workdays. You can also email or call Jeff if you have questions or are interested in knowing more.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Aug 31, 2026
Planting Prairie Violet Roots at Schurch-Thomson Prairie
Saturday, August 29 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Schurch-Thomson Prairie in Barneveld, WI
Help is needed in out-planting 160 prairie violet plugs into various prairie restorations at The Prairie Enthusiasts’ Mounds View Grassland Preserve. These violets are critical to increasing host plant populations for the Regal Fritillary population.
WHAT TO BRING:
Be prepared for digging in the ground. Tools will be provided, but if you have a favorite hand shovel or trowel, bring it along.
WORK PARTY 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.)
