by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 30, 2026
Hanley Savanna Tour and Earth Day Work Party
Wednesday, April 22 – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Hanley Savanna in Hanover, IL
Hanley Savanna is a 160-acre prairie, savanna, and woodland restoration in rural Hanover, Illinois. Owned by The Prairie Enthusiasts and stewarded by the Northwest Illinois Chapter since 2003, this site has transformed from row cropland and white pine plantation to several types of prairie ecosystems, including tall grass prairies, oak savannas, fens, sand blowouts, and black oak barrens.
Join Chapter members and support staff for a tour and afternoon work party on this site to celebrate Earth Day!
Registration is free to attend. Find more information and register HERE.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 2, 2026
Lulu Lake State Natural Area Work Day
Sunday, April 19 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Lulu Lake SNA, Waukesha County
This month will be cutting and piling brush- wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate (hilly terrain)
WORK PARTY LEADER:
Please contact Nancy Gloe with questions and to RSVP. Nancy will notify you of cancellation or other event changes.
DIRECTIONS:
Lulu Lake SNA, Hwy E just north of the intersection with Hwy J in Waukesha County. South Shore Dr access. Contact Nancy for details.
Map here.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 2, 2026
Benedict Prairie Site Improvement
Saturday, April 25 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Benedict Prairie, Kenosha County
This work day will likely be brushwork and possibly creating burn piles.
DIFFICULTY: Easy-moderate (some uneven ground) – cutting or dragging brush can be difficult in some areas.
WHAT TO BRING:
Recommended for the workday: wear appropriate clothing (natural fibers) and footwear and bring water.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
RSVP to Alan Eppers via email AJE1967@hotmail.com.
DIRECTIONS:
I-94 to state Hwy 50 (Kenosha/Lake Geneva exit) Hwy 50 west 1.5 miles to 144th Ave. South on 144th Ave 0.6 miles Benedict Prairie is on the east side. There is a sign near the road. MAP
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 2, 2026
Adelman-Schwartz Preserve Work Party
Sunday, April 5 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Adelman-Schwartz Preserve in Walworth County, WI
Join us for invasive species brush removal!
WHAT TO BRING:
Bring drinking water. Please wear warm working clothes (long sleeves and long pants) plus sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Bring work gloves and eye protection (glasses are fine) if you have them, but we also have extras. I will bring all of the cutting tools and supplies (loppers, hand pruners, and a brush cutter).
WORK PARTY LEADER:
RSVP to Michaela Rosenthal via email michaela.a.rosenthal@gmail.com. Work is usually snow or shine, but RSVP to receive notice of any cancellations or other changes.
DIRECTIONS:
Located off of N Lakeshore Dr on the north shore of North Lake in Walworth Co. Map here.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Mar 2, 2026
Mukwonago River Oak Barrens Workday
Friday, April 3 – Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mukwonago River Oak Barrens, Waukesha County
RSVP required to receive schedule changes, exact parking locations, and details of the day’s work. RSVPs are also needed, because snowy conditions are dynamic and may limit available parking. We will be doing whatever work is most appropriate for the weather. This may include pulling or cutting and treating brush, staging and burning burn piles, cutting trees, preparing fire breaks, and spreading seeds. We strive to promote the conditions and processes that promote the recovery of these communities, which means use of frequent dormant season prescribed fire and re-introducing plant species that have been lost within our work footprint.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to high. Terrain is level, but conditions may be snowy or wet, and footing may be uneven. Work areas may be up to a half mile walk each way through snow from parking locations. Pulling brush, cutting and treating brush, and burn pile work are moderately strenuous.
WHAT TO BRING:
Bring drinking water. Please wear long sleeves; long pants; and sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Also take precautions to protect from sun, biting insects, and ticks. Bring work gloves and eye protection (glasses are fine), if you have them, but we also have extras. Feel free to bring your own tools that match the day’s activity. We can supply tools as well. If we plan on chemical treatment, appropriate training, chemical resistant gloves, and application equipment will be provided. If we burn piles, you will need outer layers made from natural fibers and a hat (we can also provide hard hats).
WORK PARTY LEADER:
RSVP and contact Dan Carter via email at dlcarterksu@gmail.com.
DIRECTIONS:
Off of Waukesha County Hwy LO between the intersection of County Hwy E and Rainbow Springs Nature Preserve. Map here.
No signs mark the entrance. The property entrance is HERE. We typically park along a broad mowed path HERE.
From State Highway 83 in the Village of Mukwonago,proceed west on Eagle Lake Avenue (County LO) for about 4.9 miles. The entranceis on the south (left) side of the road about 0.1 miles past a barn that sitsvery near the road. From the State Highway 67 in the Village of Eagle, proceedeast on E. Main St. (County Nn) for about 1.5 miles to Sprague Road. Turn south(right) on Spraque Road and proceed to the T-intersection with County LO. Turnleft and proceed straight through the intersection with County E (pub andfilling station on opposite corners). The entrance to the property is on the south(right) side County LO about 0.3 miles past the intersection with County E.
