by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Brush Control Work Party at Ottawa Bluffs
Saturday, August 15 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ottawa Bluffs, Le Sueur, MN
This month we are going to continue like we did last month, cutting brush. We have two targets, sumac and European buckthorn. The sumac is a native plant, and a component of prairies and savannas, but years of little fire allowed it to grow so dense in spots that it severely limits the other native species, sometimes to the point of elimination. The site now sees more frequent prescribed fires, but fire alone is not enough. Cutting sumac stands repeatedly (at least twice, in June and 6 weeks later) has a positive impact, but it also requires a lot of labor. Buckthorn, a very invasive non-native, can be killed by cutting them off near the ground and painting the cut stump with an herbicide. Done correctly, it is highly effective, but it also requires a lot of labor.
So if you would like to help out, please join us this Saturday. We will also be looking around the site to see what is blooming. Things we may see: purple prairie clover, white prairie clover, leadplant, and various sunflowers. The cool season native grasses in the savanna area are just coming into bloom also. Please consider joining us. The day promises to be a hot one so we will try to find work areas that are at least partially shaded.
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 | Jul 15, 2026
Preparing and Planting New Seed Production Bed at Hanley Farm
Sunday, July 19 – Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Hanley Farm in Blue Mounds, WI
Production beds are critical to providing seeds and bulbs/roots for the restoration work at Mounds View Grassland and other The Prairie Enthusiasts preserves. We will be planting and watering 432 plugs of prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and 14 of prairie panic-grass (Dichanthelium leibergii). We will be planting into what was a crop field last year, and there are some surface rocks that need to be removed at allow for future mowing between the rows.
NOTE: This will be dependent upon soil moisture and weather conditions. So be sure to contact work party leader the day before.
WHAT TO BRING:
Bring your favorite planting tool and knelling pad, if you have them. Otherwise, they will be provided.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
For questions and to RSVP, contact Rich Henderson (tpe.rhenderson@tds.net), (h) (608) 845-7065, (c) (608) 235-4165. Please let Rich know if you are planning on coming by the evening before the event to confirm.
DIRECTIONS:
(2906 County F, Barneveld, WI) From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County F (south of Blue Mounds in western Dane County), take F 4.3 miles south. The entrance is on the right. (Note: A half mile down F from 18-151, pay close attention to the road signs, for F turns to the right & straight-ahead becomes County Z. Stay on F.) MAP HERE
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Cut and Pile Black Oaks at Kalscheur Oak Savanna
Thursday, July 16 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Kalscheur Oak Savanna near Hollandale, WI
Modern prescribed burning conditions often do not generate the intensity of fires that likely occurred historically. Recent fires have not top-killed many black oaks at Kalscheur Oak Savanna. As these trees are maturing, this threatens to change the site from a bur oak savanna to a black oak woodland.
During this work party, we will cut black oaks that are crowding bur oaks and encroaching on prairie portions of the site.
WHAT TO BRING:
Feel free to bring a chainsaw and appropriate PPE. Non-sawyers can drag and pile cut materials to burn piles. All workers should have work gloves. Bring water.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
Pat Handrick, patrick.handrick@gmail.com; (c) 608.354.3467 (texting preferred). Please contact Pat if you are coming so they know how many to expect and who to contact in case of cancellation.
LOCATION:
From Hollandale, drive 2 miles south on CTH K. Watch for cars parked along the road near 596 County Road K – this is the neighbors’ house across the street from the The Prairie Enthusiasts’ access easement. Park as far as possible off the road. Look for The Prairie Enthusiasts sign at the start of the access easement next to the highway. Head downhill from there, following the cleared corridor. At the bottom of the hill, cross the bridge, then you should be able to see and hear the workers on the site.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Spotted Knapweed Removal at Giordano Oak Barrens and Sand Prairie
Saturday, July 18 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Giordano Oak Barrens and Sand Prairie, Lodi, WI
This may be our last spotted knapweed control work party of 2026. If you haven’t been out to this site in a while, or have never been, this is a great opportunity to experience a wonderful site that is not open to the public!
Please join us as we make one final big push to removal the last of the spotted knapweed from the site.
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring gloves and wear eye protection. Sunscreen, drinking water, and hat are strongly encouraged.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
Kevin McKowan (kevandnan8@gmail.com).
LOCATION:
Navigate using this link: N2894 County Road V, Lodi, WI.. Do not type the address into Google Maps. LINK HERE
N2894 Hwy V, Poynette WI. This property is new to The Prairie Enthusiasts, and the address only recently posted so may not show up on maps.
From the intersection of Hwy 113 and Hwy 60 in Lodi travel 0.5 mile east on Hwy 60. Turn left on Lindsay Road, continue onto County Road J. Continue onto County Road V. The entrance to the property is located across from N2895 Hwy V, Poynette. Look for TPE boundary signs and green gate entrance on right. Please drive through the gate and park to the side.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 15, 2026
Spotted Knapweed Removal at Giordano Oak Barrens and Sand Prairie
Thursday, July 16 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Giordano Oak Barrens and Sand Prairie, Lodi, WI
We’re in the full swing of summer and have been busy in our efforts to remove spotted knapweed from the site. The plants are taller now, and in full flower, it is easy to see all the ones we missed earlier. Come join us and be surprised when that pink-flowered plant you went to pull turns out to be a blazing star!
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring gloves and wear eye protection. Sunscreen, drinking water, and hat are strongly encouraged.
WORK PARTY LEADER:
Luke DeBiosio (LDeBiasio@theprairieenthusiasts.org).
LOCATION:
Navigate using this link: N2894 County Road V, Lodi, WI.. Do not type the address into Google Maps. LINK HERE
N2894 Hwy V, Poynette WI. This property is new to The Prairie Enthusiasts, and the address only recently posted so may not show up on maps.
From the intersection of Hwy 113 and Hwy 60 in Lodi travel 0.5 mile east on Hwy 60. Turn left on Lindsay Road, continue onto County Road J. Continue onto County Road V. The entrance to the property is located across from N2895 Hwy V, Poynette. Look for TPE boundary signs and green gate entrance on right. Please drive through the gate and park to the side.
