Work Parties & Events

Event Types

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.

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.

Burn Classes

Part of The Prairie Enthusiasts’s mission is to restore prairie, with prescribed burning being one of the major tools we use. The information and links provided here contain The Prairie Enthusiasts-specific and general information on conducting prescribed burns.

2022 burn class opportunities will be listed on the Prescribed Burning page. The Prairie Enthusiasts classes are for Crew Member level classes. Those listed by the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council include some higher level classes.

Looking for more information about presribed burning and additional educational opportunities. Visit the Northeast Regional Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy’s information.