by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jun 8, 2026
Mukwonago River Oak Barrens Workday
Thursday, June 11 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Mukwonago River Oak Barrens in Waukesha County, WI
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.
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.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jun 1, 2026
Bush Clover Prairie Work Party
Sunday, June 7 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 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 | Jun 1, 2026
Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area Workday
Saturday, August 22 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 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 dates are now on the calendar for volunteers to participate and assist in the restoration of this unique property in Red Wing, expanding on the successful volunteer work completed during 2025. Work will consist of cutting and stump treating invasive woody plants such as buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, red cedar, black locust and sumac.
There are two scheduled workdays in each of the months of June, July and August, with each workday beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. The full list of workdays is as follows:
- June 20
- June 27
- July 18
- July 25
- August 15
- August 22
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 | Jun 1, 2026
Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area Workday
Saturday, August 15 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 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 dates are now on the calendar for volunteers to participate and assist in the restoration of this unique property in Red Wing, expanding on the successful volunteer work completed during 2025. Work will consist of cutting and stump treating invasive woody plants such as buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, red cedar, black locust and sumac.
There are two scheduled workdays in each of the months of June, July and August, with each workday beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. The full list of workdays is as follows:
- June 20
- June 27
- July 18
- July 25
- August 15
- August 22
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 | Jun 1, 2026
Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area Workday
Saturday, July 25 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 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 dates are now on the calendar for volunteers to participate and assist in the restoration of this unique property in Red Wing, expanding on the successful volunteer work completed during 2025. Work will consist of cutting and stump treating invasive woody plants such as buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, red cedar, black locust and sumac.
There are two scheduled workdays in each of the months of June, July and August, with each workday beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. The full list of workdays is as follows:
- June 20
- June 27
- July 18
- July 25
- August 15
- August 22
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.
