Volunteer Days and Field Trips

Volunteer on our Chiwaukee Prairie Work Days as we restore and manage the prairie.
All we need is you to help! No experience necessary. On the job training!
Dress for the weather, bring work gloves, and protective eyewear. We have tools and the equipment to get the job done. If the weather is hot, be sure to bring plenty of water. We hope to see you there!

Chiwaukee South – Regular Work Schedule: 3rd Saturday of each month 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM unless noted below. Meet north of 121st Street on 2nd Avenue unless noted below. Click here for a map of “Chiwaukee South”. If you have questions, call 262.658.8336.

Upcoming Work Party Dates/Events:

  • May 20, 2023 – Meet along east side of 4th Avenue, north of 115th Street.
    This Saturday, May 20, we will be cutting and herbiciding invasive honeysuckle brush and pulling the hated and very invasive Garlic Mustard. While first year leaves may be delicious in salads, the flowering second year plants are a threat to the savanna and prairie producing 100s of seeds per plant. For variety’s sake, we will also pull Dame’s Rocket, Yellow Rocket, and maybe dab Lion’s Tooth.

    We will work in the Savanna south of 116th Street. MANY HANDS ARE NEEDED.

    The prediction is for more clouds than sun with only a 35% chance of rain. Winds are expected to be WNW at 10 to 15mph with a high temperature of 63 degrees. Wear old clothes, long pants and sturdy shoes or boots and bring YOUR GLOVES. Consider tick protection. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie.
    The workday is from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Come for part or all of it.

    PLEASE NOTE:
    We will meet along 4th Avenue north of 115th Street.
    Park only on the east side of 4th Avenue.
    (Click here for a map)

  • June 3, 2023 – Native Prairie Plant Walk – 9:00 to 11:00 AM
    Naturalist Kay McClelland will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month, May through September. Information includes a little history, a little geology, and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts. Check our website prior to the hike day for the confirmed meeting location, all tentatively will start from 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Click here for a map. If there is moderate to heavy rain, or lightning in the area, the hike will be canceled. 
     
  • July 1, 2023 – Native Prairie Plant Walk – 9:00 to 11:00 AM
    Naturalist Kay McClelland will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month, May through September. Information includes a little history, a little geology, and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts. Check our website prior to the hike day for the confirmed meeting location, all tentatively will start from 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Click here for a map. If there is moderate to heavy rain, or lightning in the area, the hike will be canceled. 
     
  • June 17, 2023
    Pull/bag Dame’s Rocket and meadow hawkweed.
    Pull White and Yellow Sweet Clover
    Black Swallow-wort (search and treat)
    Canada Thistle (search and treat)
  • July 15, 2023
    Pull/Bag Common St. John’s-Wort, White and Yellow Sweet Clover, Black Swallowwort (search and treat), early Queen Anne’s Lace
    Canada Thistle (search and bag/treat)
    Scout for Purple Loosestrife
    Scout for Hairy Willow Herb
    Extra Workdays are likely to scheduled between the July and August workdays.
  • August 5, 2023 – Native Prairie Plant Walk – 9:00 to 11:00 AM
    Naturalist Kay McClelland will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month, May through September. Information includes a little history, a little geology, and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts. Check our website prior to the hike day for the confirmed meeting location, all tentatively will start from 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Click here for a map. If there is moderate to heavy rain, or lightning in the area, the hike will be canceled. 
  • August 19, 2023
    Pull/Bag Queen Anne’s Lace and late blooming white sweet clover
    Black Swallow-wort (search and treat, bag seed pods)
    Scout for Purple Loosestrife
  • September 2, 2023 – Native Prairie Plant Walk – 9:00 to 11:00 AM
    Naturalist Kay McClelland will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month, May through September. Information includes a little history, a little geology, and lots of plant names and facts. Over the months you will look at and identify more than 100 different flowering plants, grasses, and some sedges. There will likely be a plant list available each time as well as occasional other handouts. Check our website prior to the hike day for the confirmed meeting location, all tentatively will start from 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Click here for a map. If there is moderate to heavy rain, or lightning in the area, the hike will be canceled. 
     
  • September 16, 2023
    Brush Cutting
  • October 21, 2023
    Brush Cutting
  • November 18, 2023
    Brush Cutting
  • December 16, 2023
    Brush cutting
  • January __, 2024
    Brush cutting
  • January 20, 2024
    Brush cutting
  • February 17, 2024
    Brush cutting
  • March 16, 2024
    Brush cutting
  • April 20, 2024
    Brush cutting
  • May 18, 2024
    Scout for/treat Garlic Mustard and Dame’s Rocket
  • June 15, 2024
    Pull/bag Dame’s Rocket and meadow hawkweed.
    Pull White and Yellow Sweet Clover
    Black Swallow-wort (search and treat)
    Canada Thistle (search and treat)

….Work Days, 3rd Saturday of each month! 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM