Greetings Friends of the Prairie,
NEWS
So, what is it? It’s the first green of Spring! It is native groundsel, or ragwort, leafing out in a low area. While the plants are just starting to wake up, the birds have been raising their joyous Spring voices for some time now. Among the many are the male Red-winged Blackbirds noisily staking out territories waiting for the females to arrive and Sandhill Cranes which, hopefully, are also looking for a summer home. The over one hundred acres that were burned last fall will soon pop with color. While we wait for that show, keep an eye out for the bright yellow of marsh marigolds in the wetlands.
It is an exciting and challenging time for the Prairie. Through the efforts of DNR staff, grant supported contractors and our volunteers, large areas of the State Natural Area have been cleared of invasive brush. That is exciting. The challenge is keeping the brush out and that requires follow up. Staff, contractors and volunteers will all take up this challenge to help this marvelous slice of native heritage prosper now and into the future.
EVENTS
The donation match was a great success! Thanks to all our Friends whose donations between November 16 and February 15 totaled $20,427 and were matched dollar for dollar by longtime patrons of Chiwaukee Prairie, including Jack and Terry Shouba. THANK YOU!
We are now on Instagram. You can search for us by typing “ChiwaukeePrairiePreservation” in the Instagram search function. If you would like to contribute Chiwaukee photos, send them to aimlesscomix@gmail.com with “Chiwaukee Prairie” in the subject line.
Looking for native plants? Our friends and supporters in the Root River Chapter of Wild Ones who have their annual native plant sale in June are accepting pre-orders until March 26th. To get the plant list, pricing, and details, contact Chris at c-russin@northwestern.edu or 608-408-7082.
WORKDAYS
Dave Sanders and some of the 17 volunteers in February who worked hard and ate chili afterwards.
Volunteers at the February workday cleared a large area of buckthorn and ash saplings south of the Chiwaukee Cottage. The good news is that DNR will arrange for the many piles of brush to be chipped and removed. So, let’s make more piles!
This Saturday, March 17, we will continue cutting and herbiciding invasive brush and saplings. The prediction is for sunshine and clouds mixed, with a slight breeze and a high of 43 degrees. It should be dry conditions, as the snow has melted and no rain this week. We supply work gloves, tools, water, instruction and answers to all your questions about the Prairie. The workday is from 10AM – 1PM. Come for part or all of it.
SPECIAL REQUEST: we need half gallon jugs like the one pictured above.
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.