Photo by Jack Shouba
Greetings Friends of the Prairie,
As the calendar year opens, we wish you all a healthy and fulfilling 2019! On the Prairie, we are seeing increased efforts to clear large areas of invasive brush, thus allowing the native seed bank to flourish. Beginning this year, Neighbor Stewards will manage areas near home and a new Seed Collectors group will help nature distribute seed in the Prairie. Off the Prairie, efforts to acquire the remaining private lots are ramping up. In all areas of our mission to acquire, restore and manage Chiwaukee Prairie, with your support as donors and volunteers, we look forward to a banner 2019!
NEWSLETTER
Our annual fundraising Newsletter went out in December and has had a great response. If you did not receive it in the mail, you can read it online here. It details our mission accomplishments in 2018, plans for 2019, lists of volunteers and donors, as well as a salute to four special women who have significantly impacted the efforts to preserve Chiwaukee Prairie. The dollar-for-dollar match for all donations from individuals continues until February 15, 2019.
More information at www.chiwaukee.org/donate
(Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.)
HAPPY NEW YEAR NATURE ENTHUSIASTS!
Make it your resolution to help monitor rare and endangered plants in the Chiwaukee Prairie during the 2019 growing season. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) will be offering Rare Plant Monitoring training in March and April, a recommended prerequisite. The best way to stay informed on dates is to subscribe to the Natural Heritage Conservation email list or to visit the Rare Plant Monitoring Program website.
The training dates will be posted in both places in late January or early February. Until then, there is plenty for us to do while the prairie enjoys its winter “hibernation.”
If you would like to be notified about additional workday opportunities, plant scouting opportunities or plant identification walks, please email volunteer@chiwaukee.org.
Here are just a few reminders of why we do what we do! Photos by Jack Shouba
NEW CONSERVATION WARDEN
Prairie neighbors and visitors often have questions or want to report issues with wildlife or hunting. Taylor Meinholz, the new DNR SE Wisconsin Conservation Warden (262-443-0969), is the person to contact.
WORKDAYS
Our December workday was, as usual, super productive with chain saws and brush cutters supplying the haulers and dabbers with plenty to do. This Saturday, January 19, we again will be working in the area of the Cottage to do brush and grapevine removal in several spots. The prediction is for strong NE winds at 10-20 mph with a high of 25 degrees and a 60% chance of snow. It does not look promising. We supply work gloves, tools, instruction, water and answers to all your questions about the Prairie.
The workday is from 10 AM – 1 PM. 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.
Coffee and Kringle before the workday.
Bring a lunch for after. Cider and other beverages supplied.
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.
(Map of the vicinity at www.chiwaukee.org/about/where/)
If you have questions, email volunteer@chiwaukee.org or call 773-515-2772.
Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.