Greetings Friends of the Prairie,
NEWS
The large tree trunks lying across the frozen Barnes Creek wetland are the work of one or more beavers who have taken it upon themselves to clear the shore line of willow and cottonwoods up to 18 inches in diameter. Mark Lange, standing in the background, and Pam Holy counted over two dozen medium to large trees and a multitude of smaller and sapling trees “cut” down by these industrious wetland inhabitants. Their attempts to dam the creek near the lake have been somewhat successful in raising the water level, which may help to drown the invasive cattails.
In addition to seeing the work of the beaver, Mark and Pam also spied a muskrat lodge. While the beavers make their lodges from sturdier tree material, the muskrat uses cattails and other plants. We highly recommend a walk in the winter prairie when it is easy to see animal tracks and visit areas too dense to get through in the growing season. The quiet can be amazing!
EVENTS
Tomorrow, February 15, is the last day to take advantage of the dollar for dollar ongoing donation match. THANK YOU to all of you who have already taken advantage. Mail donations must be dated by February 15 and PayPal will be available until midnight tomorrow. We will announce the final total in our next Monthly Update.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!
$ for $ Match
For all donations from individuals until February 15, 2018.
Read more about it and consider donating at
www.chiwaukee.org/donate
The annual Spring Into Gardening Conference is on Saturday, March 10 at the Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake. CPPF will have an information table next to our friends from the Root River Chapter of Wild Ones so that together we can tell folks about the importance of natural areas and native plants.
WORKDAYS
Volunteers at the January workday started by loading a truck with the “mini-forest of sumac” cut and stacked in December. On Nick Potter’s first workday, he volunteered to stamp down the sumac so it all fit in the truck, then helped unload it at the compost site. Job much appreciated!
Also much appreciated was all the buckthorn cut and herbicided by the rest of the volunteers!
This Saturday, February 17, we will be cutting and herbiciding invasive brush and ash saplings. The prediction is for a mostly sunny, breezy day with a high of 33 degrees. Consider boots as it may be wet after the snow melt. We supply work gloves, tools, instruction, water and answers to all your questions about the Prairie. The workday is from 10AM – 1PM. Come for part or all of it.
PLEASE NOTE:
We will meet at the Chiwaukee Cottage at 204 -102nd Street
Please park on the south side of 102nd Street.
We will serve lunch at the Cottage after the workday!
(Map of the vicinity at www.chiwaukee.org/about/where/)
If you would like to be notified about additional workday opportunities, plant scouting opportunities or plant identification walks, please email volunteer@chiwaukee.org.
Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8 AM on scheduled workdays. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgment when deciding whether to attend.
If you have questions, email volunteer@chiwaukee.org or call 262-658-8336.
Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.