TPE Events
Photo Credit: Jerry Newman
Each year, members from all across the organization gather together for some very special events. Chapters offer field trips, work parties, workshops or other events specific to that chapter’s focus and interests.
View events on the TPE calendar below or seek information on events from your local chapter. Join us in connecting with each other and the land as we care for prairies and savannas.
NOTE: This calendar contains most of the TPE-wide events (e.g., many of the field trips), but is not complete for all chapter events (e.g., some work parties, some field trips). Please check chapter webpages or contact chapters directly for more events.
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EMPIRE-SAUK: BUTTERFLIES & FLOWERS of PLEASANT VALLEY CONSERVANCY
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Annual Conference
The Prairie Enthusiasts Annual Conference is typically held in February of every year. Find the latest details about the upcoming event under our “Events” Tab. Make sure you’re signed up for our emails for details about the upcoming theme, speakers, and registration links.
Work Parties
Work parties are held through all the seasons, as volunteers come together to engage in the hands-on work of restoring natural communities to health. Work parties are a great chance to learn much of what is required for restoring prairie and savanna. Management techniques include:
- winter brush cutting
- summer and fall seed collecting
- cleaning and preparing seeds
- planting, mowing
- invasive species control
- prescribed burning
Work parties are organized by chapters and announced through email, phone, Facebook, word of mouth and are listed on our events calendar above. They may occur once a week or once a month depending on need, participants, and energy.
Field Trips
Field trips are open to members and non-members alike. They are led by volunteer naturalists to sites we want to showcase or sites we would like to learn more about. Learn to identify the wildflowers and animals that inhabit these gems of nature, or come to simply enjoy the sights and sounds. These trips give you opportunities to see, first hand, the results of various management and restoration strategies and techniques. Share your interest in prairies by bringing along your family and friends.
What to bring: Field trips generally proceed rain or shine, except for severe weather or unless otherwise noted, so bring appropriate clothing and apparel. A hat, long-pants, and sturdy footwear are recommended, along with sunscreen and insect/tick repellent. For long hikes, be sure to bring water, and, if it is an all-day event, something to eat.
Most field trips are listed on our events calendar above. Please call the trip leader to confirm details, as the weather can be factor.
Burn Classes
Part of TPE’s mission is to restore prairie, with prescribed burning being one of the major tools we use. The information and links provided here contain TPE-specific and general information on conducting prescribed burns.
2022 burn class opportunities will be listed on the Prescribed Burning page. TPE classes are for Crew Member level classes. Those listed by the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council include some higher level classes.
Annual Picnic
Each July, a chapter hosts The Prairie Enthusiasts Annual Picnic and Membership Meeting. The 2022 Annual Picnic was hosted at The Hanley Savanna, a 160-acre prairie, savanna, and woodland restoration in rural Hanover, Illinois, near the Mississippi River. In 2023, the Many Rivers Chapter will host the event, located at Gustavus Adolphus Arboretum in St. Peter, MN The picnic is a great way to meet new friends, swap stories with members from other chapters, and see the products of our labor! Check out the “Events” Tab above for the latest details.