by The Prairie Enthusiasts | May 8, 2026
Garlic Mustard Removal at Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi Center
Tuesday, May 26 – 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Wakan Tipi Center in Saint Paul, MN
Join the Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter for a garlic mustard removal work party at Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi Center. Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi is a 27-acre cultural landscape along the Mississippi River bluffs in downtown Saint Paul stewarded by the Dakota people. We seek up to 25 volunteers to help prepare their land for the grand opening on May 29, 2026 by pulling garlic mustard in a woodland unit. Come join us!
To learn more and to register for this free event, CLICK HERE.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | May 8, 2026
Bush Clover Prairie Work Party
Sunday, May 17 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Bush Clover Prairie in Lancaster, WI
Now is a great time to remove woody and other invasives from Bush Clover Prairie! This 3-acre gem needs some TLC to restore it to its past glory.
We will be cutting and treating unwanted small trees and shrubs, building brush piles, removing wire, and pulling or cutting unwanted plants.
The work party will be cancelled for inclement weather.
WHAT TO BRING:
If you have them, please bring brush cutters, chainsaws, leaf blowers, loppers, and herbicide sprayers/daubers. Herbicide will be provided. Bring ear protection, gloves, sunscreen, and water. Wear PPE if operating a chain saw.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
Direct any questions to Becky Fernette at bspence@tds.net or 608.379.0781 (cell).
DIRECTIONS:
Located across the road from 6671 Badger Rd, Lancaster WI
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | May 8, 2026
Moely Prairie Tree Cutting and Brush Piling
Saturday, May 16 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Moely Prairie in Prairie du Sac, WI
Join us this month as we continue to clean up existing invasive trees and shrubs in various units of the prairie. For those of you who can bring a chainsaw, there is plenty of larger regrowth to cut on the west side of the prairie. If using loppers is more your speed, there’s plenty of smaller invasives to cut as well.
For the past eight years, dedicated volunteers have been hard at work on this 23.5-acre remnant prairie, steadily clearing invasive trees and brush. Nestled right in the heart of Prairie du Sac, Moely Prairie is both unique and accessible, offering a quiet spot to hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe.
It also serves as a living classroom, providing hands-on educational and citizen science opportunities for students and community members alike. Thanks to these efforts, we’ve watched the prairie’s native plant inventory grow from just 70 species to more than 200 through ongoing restoration and prescribed burns—a testament to what community care can achieve.
WHAT TO BRING:
Please wear long sleeves, long pants and sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Bring your own work gloves and your favorite equipment if you wish (loppers, chainsaws, etc.). Extra loppers and herbicide will be available for use. Water bottles are highly recommended.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
For questions and to RSVP, contact Paul Anderson at 608-712-9552.
DIRECTIONS:
From Hwy 12, turn east onto Hwy PF. After passing the prairie on your right, take a right onto 21st St., a right onto Fullerton Dr., a left on Billings Ave., and then a right onto Alban La. Park at the dead end and enter the prairie from there. 2200 Fullerton Dr, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
by Evanne Hunt | May 5, 2026
Pull garlic mustard
The main task for the day is pulling garlic mustard. We will also scout for unknown patches of garlic mustard (and other weeds), look for plants that aren’t on our plant list, and start a list of tasks to do in the coming months.
J J Prekop Jr,All rights reserved
Date: May 11 (Monday)
Time: 10am to 2pm
Location: Dieperink Woods (previously Brokken Woods)
Afton, MN
We will meet at the gate on the cul-de-sac at the south end of the property: at the far eastern end of 42nd St. S in Afton, MN. There is plenty of room to park.
Map to location
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a highly invasive biennial herb from Europe that forms dense stands in woodlands, outcompeting native plants by altering soil chemistry. It’s identified by heart-shaped leaves that smell like garlic when crushed and small white flowers in its second year, producing numerous seeds that spread easily. Control involves hand-pulling before flowering (especially after rain to get the taproot), bagging and disposing of plants, or using herbicides, but requires several years of consistent effort.
Bring:
♦ Dress appropriately for weather
♦ Drinking water
♦ Garden gloves
♦ Bring your lunch (salad?? Yes, garlic mustard is edible! Use young garlic mustard leaves in salads, blend into pesto, or sauté stems and leaves with olive oil. Second-year stems are also delicious when roasted. The young plants are less bitter (older plants need to be cooked thoroughly as they contain cyanide) to add spice to dips, sauces, salads and stir fries.)
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | May 1, 2026
Lulu Lake State Natural Area Work Day
Saturday, May 16 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Lulu Lake SNA, Waukesha County
Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate (hilly terrain)
WORK PARTY LEADER:
Please contact Nancy Gloe with questions and to RSVP. Nancy will give you the location and give you notice of cancellation or other changes.
