2020

EVERGREENS

It’s 2020, and perhaps you made a New Year’s resolution to spend more time outdoors.  If so, The Prairie Enthusiasts are seeking volunteers to adopt prairie plantings at the Mounds View Grassland preserve. Your task would be to periodically patrol the area(s) you select, and are subsequently assigned to, conducting tree and shrub removal. The objective is to find and eliminate brush in the earliest stages of invasion before it becomes a major task. Once you have been oriented to the site and control methods, you would work at your own pace and schedule. Tools and herbicide will be provided. This work is critical to keep the preserve open and suitable for the wide range of rare and declining plants, birds, and insects that require prairie habitat. You can work independently on your own schedule

What to Bring/Wear: Bring gloves and appropriate clothing for working outside in brushy conditions. Loppers and clippers will be provided, but if you have favorite tools please bring them along.

Contact:  Rich Henderson, (h) 608.845.7065, tpe.rhenderson@tds.net

Directions to Site: Headquarter facility is at 8624 Reilly Rd, Barneveld, WI. From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County F (south of Blue Mounds in western Dane County), take F south approximately 5 miles. Turn right onto Reilly Road, and proceed to parking lot and kiosks at the end of the road (past the barn). (Note: A half mile down F from 18-151, pay close attention to the road signs, because F turns to the right and the straight-ahead road becomes County Z. Stay on F.)

JANUARY 2020

Jan 11 Saturday

9 a.m – 4 p.m. The Prairie Enthusiasts Foxglove Savanna Tree and Brush Removal Work Day (Sauk County) This is a project to connect current Rusty-patched Bumblebee habitat with potential habitat.  We are cutting trees and shrubs in-between these two areas and then planting the openings that we create. This project began two winters ago and will last another 2 years.

Though the work we will do is standard fare for TPE work parties in winter, the open spaces that we will create, and the prairie vegetation we will subsequently plant, will sing your praises as they take root. Our grassland-nesting birds will also tweet out that you have removed troublesome hidden perches of cowbirds among the dwindling number of cedars.  Come and experience it!

There are few things as cathartic as embracing what can be accomplished in a good work party.  This area is adjacent to past work party areas, so the progress you will see is palpable and will improve habitat for Purple Meadow Jumping Mice (my personal favorite) that will be slumbering beneath the snows that we trample, bobolinks and Henslow’s sparrows. These species will thank you for your efforts through many enjoyable visits through the years to come.

As important, Jeb and Barb Barzen (mostly Barb fortunately) will provide any stalwart volunteer with a hearty lunch, so come on out! Please RSVP so that we can plan for food.

What to Bring/Wear: Bring boots that are warm, gloves, visored hat, ear plugs and safety glasses if you wear glasses. I will supply safety glasses for people who don’t normally where glasses.  Please wear natural fiber clothes as ashes won’t damage them as badly.  Water bottles are helpful.  Please RSVP so that we can plan for lunch.

Work Party Leader: Jeb Barzen, (c) 608.370.3122

Directions to Site: The work site is off Round River Trail in southern Sauk County. Round River Trail goes north from WI Highway 60 and is 1 mile east of Badger Road if you are coming from Spring Green and 1 mile west of Fox Road if you are coming from Sauk Prairie. The parking area will be at the end of the asphalt road in the turn-around (Round River Trail). The work site is adjacent to the driveway extending up from the turn-around. 

Jan 12 Sunday

1 – 4 p.m. The Prairie Enthusiasts Schurch-Thomson Tree and Brush Removal Work Day (Iowa County) | 

Come help us cut scattered brush and small trees from prairie areas and burn brush piles at Mounds View Grassland.  This activity is critical to keeping our prairie remnants and restorations open and suitable habitat for the wide range of rare and declining plants, birds, and insects that require such habitat.

What to Wear/Bring: Wear appropriate clothing for the weather (dress in layers) and for burning brush piles (old clothes you do not mind getting holes in from fire brands). Do not wear synthetic fabrics; they ignite too easily. Wear sturdy footwear and work gloves. Bring drinking water. Chainsaw operators with their own equipment are welcome, but safety chaps and head, ear and eye protection are required. Bring pruners or loppers if you have them, otherwise they will be provided.

Work Party Leader:  Rich Henderson (h) 608.845.7065; tpe.rhenderson@tds.net

Directions:  From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County F (south of Blue Mounds in western Dane County), take F approximately 5 miles south. Turn right onto Reilly Road, and proceed to barn at the end of the road. (Note: 1/2 mile down F from 18-151, pay close attention to the road signs, for F turns to the right & the straight ahead becomes County Z. Stay on F. 

Jan 16 Thursday

1 – 4 p.m. The Prairie Enthusiasts Schurch-Thomson Tree and Brush Removal Work Day (Iowa County) | 

Come help us cut scattered brush and small trees from prairie areas and burn brush piles at Mounds View Grassland.  This activity is critical to keeping our prairie remnants and restorations open and suitable habitat for the wide range of rare and declining plants, birds, and insects that require such habitat.

What to Wear/Bring: Wear appropriate clothing for the weather (dress in layers) and for burning brush piles (old clothes you do not mind getting holes in from fire brands). Do not wear synthetic fabrics; they ignite too easily. Wear sturdy footwear and work gloves. Bring drinking water. Chainsaw operators with their own equipment are welcome, but safety chaps and head, ear and eye protection are required. Bring pruners or loppers if you have them, otherwise they will be provided.

Work Party Leader:  Rich Henderson (h) 608.845.7065; tpe.rhenderson@tds.net

Directions:  From the intersection of US Hwy 18-151 and County F (south of Blue Mounds in western Dane County), take F approximately 5 miles south. Turn right onto Reilly Road, and proceed to barn at the end of the road. (Note: 1/2 mile down F from 18-151, pay close attention to the road signs, for F turns to the right & the straight ahead becomes County Z. Stay on F. 

Jan 26 Sunday

1 – 4 p.m. The Prairie Enthusiasts Kalscheur Oak Savanna Work Day | This small gem harbors 212 native plant species associated with remnant dry prairie, oak savanna, and sedge meadow, including a population of the rare Hill’s thistle, a state-threatened species. Help site steward Pat Handrick and crew burn brush piles and large downed timber.
 
What to Wear/Bring:  Bring warm, heavy-duty gloves and boots. Wear layers of clothing so that you can shed layers if you get overheated while hauling and piling trees and brush on burn piles. Wear clothing that may get small holes in it from airborne cinders. Loppers, helmets, and burning supplies will be provided.
 
Work Party Leader:  Pat Handrick
 
Work Party Coordinator: Amy Staffen, amystaffen@gmail.com, (h) 608.238.0450
 
Directions to Site: 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 TPE 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 and Prairie Enthusiasts signs. At the bottom of the hill, cross the footbridge; then you should be able to see and hear the workers on the site.