Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund

CPPF's Monthly Update - April 2026
https://mailchi.mp/9d668ddf7f02/2026-april

Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,

It is that wonderful time of the year when every day brings new natural wonders; the sights and sounds and smells and feels of Spring! Sandhill Cranes flying overhead. The cacophony of amorous *Boreal Chorus Frogs and American Toads. The smell of damp earth after recent fire. And the incredibly soft feel of a P***y Willow bloom "which any queen bumble bee that might be out would enjoy". She, of course, would be looking for food to store for her coming brood. Our senses barely touch the incredibly complex awakening of nature on the Prairie. That we are able to help it continue to exist is an incredible honor.

*Click the link below to hear Boreal Chorus Frogs and American Toads, recorded by Nathan Robertson on the evening of April 13:
https://www.chiwaukee.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026_0413_Boreal_Chorus_Frogs_and_Toads_115th_St.m4a

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Now on the Prairie

The Cursed Crowfoot (Buttercup) is an early bloomer in muddy habitats where competition is limited by intermittent inundation.
The Marsh Marigold is a characteristic plant of springy calcareous fens.
The Chicago area subspecies of the Garter Snake basks in the sun.
(See images in this post.)

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Native Prairie Plant Walks

Master Naturalist Dru Snavely will lead Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month through October. 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.
Mark your calendars for all the dates Walks are on the first Saturdays from 10AM to Noon

May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3

Meet at the intersection of 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Park on 2nd Avenue.
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jD2WpzBK79dPqiLH6
Wear good walking shoes or boots and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellent for possible ticks, and a hat are wise. We go in light rain but not if there is lightning.


Dru Snavely, Master Naturalist
262.344.3130
[email protected]

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Workday discovery

Last workday, two teenage volunteers observed a garter snake with live birth young ones. Unusual timing as most mate in Spring and give birth in Fall. This was the result of a Fall mating. The girls who observed the snakelet were thrilled to see it.

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Workday

Last month the workday had two different locations and two different activities. In the far southwest corner near the state line, volunteers basal barked Aspen shoots after walking nearly a mile to get there. Along Lakeshore Drive south of 100th Street, a group of teenagers did a great job of hauling and stacking previously cut small trees and brush for later chipping. We are very grateful to all the volunteers for the very helpful multitasking workday. (See images in this post.)

Join us this Saturday, April 18, for our early Earth Day Workday including your last chance before Fall to cut and haul brush. We will be removing the cut trees and brush from the south side of 100th Street, west of Lakeshore Drive. The prediction is for variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous in the morning. Chance of rain 50%. Winds West at 16-27 mph and a high of 46 degrees. Wear old clothes, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy shoes or boots. It is tick season, so consider bug spray. We supply tools, instruction, water and answers to all your questions about the Prairie.

Please park along 3rd Avenue, north of 100th Street, to ensure we have enough room for dragging brush off of 100th St. Click here for parking directions:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/V7nVWUk8UJhUtoep8

The Saturday workday is from 9 AM to 12 PM.
PLEASE: Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in.

If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call/text Nathan at 262.694.7351.

If you would like to be notified about extra workday opportunities, plant scouting opportunities or plant identification walks, please email [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8 AM on the workday. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgement when deciding whether or not to attend. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call 262.694.7351.

Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.

https://www.chiwaukee.org/event/2026-04-18

CPPF's Monthly Update - March 2026
https://mailchi.mp/e67e49401699/2026-march

Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,

On Monday, March 9th, the weather was perfect for the best management tool there is, prescribed burns. The five areas burned totaled 38 acres. After the burns, American Robins were observed searching for exposed food. Hopefully they ate well before the snow. Later this Spring, the blackened land will draw in the sun's heat before bursting with life.

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Native Plant Sale
Inspired to plant natives in your own garden? Check out the Root River Wild Ones online native plant sale on now until April 1. Information at https://rootrivernativeplantsale.org/

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Workday
This Saturday, March 21, we will be using Makutu applicators to basal bark aspen resprouts in the far southwest corner of Chiwaukee Prairie. Please note that this activity is intended for individuals aged 18 and older. In addition to wearing old clothing and gloves, it is advisable to wear sturdy boots, preferably water-resistant, as the area may become muddy with the melting snow. The worksite is a 0.85-mile walk away. Due to the warm spring weather, ticks may be active, so you may want to consider using repellent or tucking your pants into your socks.

The prediction is for mostly cloudy skies with a high of 55 degrees. Winds are expected to be SW at 10 to 15 mph. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie.

The workday is 9 AM to Noon. Come for part or all of it.
PLEASE: Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in
We will meet on 2nd Avenue at 122nd Street near the gate.
Meeting location at: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UZoHeXdok7QRWCh7
Please refer to the map in this post for additional details or visit https://www.chiwaukee.org/event/2026-03-21/

If you would like to be notified about extra workday opportunities, plant scouting opportunities or plant identification walks, please email [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8 AM on the workday. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgement when deciding whether or not to attend. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call 262.694.7351.

Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.

CPPF's Monthly Update - October 2025

Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,

The beauty of the caterpillar above belies the danger it presents to humans in the form of an itching, stinging rash if touched. This one is eating Purple Loosestrife, an invasive wetland plant. Soon it will prepare to overwinter in pupal form. Work on the Prairie is shifting, too, but we won’t be cocooning. We will soon finish up collecting seed and begin cutting and stacking invasive brush for snow time burning. Prescribed burns, our most effective management tool, are planned for several areas during the dormant season. We look forward to many crisp days and fulfilling tasks by wonderful volunteers!

September Workday

Half of the volunteers recovered trash from the Prairie. Finds included four large lead batteries, three car tires, two with hubs, a large hollow plastic dinosaur, yards of heavy turquoise plastic sheeting, a two foot long four inch diameter steel pipe, and lots of plastic junk. Tires, batteries, and metal were all recycled.

The other September volunteers collected seeds from Purple Loosestrife, a most troublesome wetland invasive species. All the volunteers did a super job removing bad stuff from this very special Prairie.

October Workday

Saturday, October 18, we will again split the volunteers between seed collecting and brush cutting/stacking for winter burning. The prediction is for cloudy with occasional showers ,with a high of 69 degrees. Winds are expected to be SW at 10 to 15 mph. Wear old clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, hats and gloves. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie.

The workday is 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Come for part or all of it.

PLEASE: Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in

We will meet on 2nd Avenue at 122nd Street near the gate.
Click here for a map of the meeting area:
https://goo.gl/maps/FghFMsdJQejF1LoU6

https://www.chiwaukee.org/event/2025-10-18/

If you would like to be notified about additional workday or plant monitoring opportunities, please email [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8:00 AM on the workday. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgement when deciding whether or not to attend. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call 262.694.7351.

Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.

Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,

In addition to all the many species of grass glowing in shades of copper and gold, early Fall brings shades of blue in Gentians and Asters, lavender in late blooming species of Liatris, and lots of yellow in Goldenrod. All beings of the Prairie are in a rush to prepare for winter. It is an amazing time. Come take a stroll and recharge your battery.

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Native Prairie Plant Walks Ending Saturday, October 5

Naturalist Kay McClelland will lead the last 2025 Chiwaukee Prairie Walk on the first Saturday in October. Information includes a little history, a little geology and lots of plant names and facts. There will likely be a plant list available. Mark your calendars for all the dates.

Meet at the intersection of 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Park on 2nd Avenue. Wear good walking shoes or boots and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellent for possible ticks, and a hat are wise. We go in light rain but not if there is lightning.

Questions: 262-994-1939 Mobile
[email protected]

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Workday

Saturday, September 20, we will split between purple loosestrife and black swallowwort. The prediction is for cloudy with possible showers ,with a high of 72 degrees. Winds are expected to be SE at 10 to 15 mph. Wear old clothes (including long pants), sturdy shoes or boots, hats and gloves. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie.

The workday is 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Come for part or all of it.
PLEASE: Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in

We will meet on 2nd Avenue at 122nd Street near the gate.
Click here for a map of the meeting area:
https://goo.gl/maps/FghFMsdJQejF1LoU6

https://www.chiwaukee.org/event/2025-09-20/

If you would like to be notified about additional workday or plant monitoring opportunities, please email [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8:00 AM on the workday. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgement when deciding whether or not to attend. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call 262.694.7351.

Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.

CPPF's Monthly Update - July 2025
https://mailchi.mp/de2b0545733d/2025july

Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,

Spiderwebs remind us that this Prairie is an incredible complex of inhabitants, plant and animal, microscopic to scary big, all functioning together as they have evolved to do. We strive to control invasive species that threaten the ecological balance of this very special natural area.

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Native Prairie Plant Walks

Naturalist Kay McClelland leads Chiwaukee Prairie Walks once a month through October. 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. Mark your calendars for all the dates. Walks are on the first Saturdays from 9AM to 11AM

August 2, September 6, October 4

Meet at the intersection of 121st Street and 2nd Avenue. Park on 2nd Avenue. Wear good walking shoes or boots and long pants. Sunscreen, insect repellent for possible ticks, and a hat are wise. We go in light rain but not if there is lightning. Questions: 262.994.1939 (mobile) or [email protected]

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Workdays

On the June workday, the volunteers pulled White Sweetclover in the Savanna south of 116th Street. It was a very hot day! Too hot for photos.

We will be hosting TWO workdays this weekend:

This Saturday, July 19, beginning at 10:00 AM, we will split into groups to comb different areas for invasive White Sweet Clover, Queen Anne’s Lace, Mullein, and Deptford Pink. The prediction is for possible rain showers in the morning, with a high of 79 degrees. Winds are expected to be Southwest at 5 to 10 mph. Wear old clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, hats and gloves. Ticks are active so consider spray repellent and/or tucking pants in socks. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie. Interested in attending Extra Workdays? See below.
The Saturday workday is from 10 AM to 1 PM. Come for part or all of it.
PLEASE: Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in

We will meet on 2nd Avenue at 122nd Street near the gate.
Meeting location map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UZoHeXdok7QRWCh7

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'Extra' Workday: Sunday, July 20, beginning at 9:00 AM, we will comb areas for invasive White Sweet Clover, Queen Anne’s Lace, Mullein, and Deptford Pink. The prediction is for clouds, with a high near 73 degrees. Winds are expected to be Northeast at 10 mph. Wear old clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, hats and gloves. Ticks are active so consider spray repellent and/or tucking pants in socks. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie. Interested in attending Extra Workdays? See below.

The Sunday workday is from 9 AM to 12 PM. Come for part or all of it.
PLEASE: Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in

We will meet on 2nd Avenue at 122nd Street near the gate.
Meeting location map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UZoHeXdok7QRWCh7

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Optional: click here to RSVP for the workdays listed above:
https://forms.gle/tBJZt37FvHa9TrWk6
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If you would like to be notified about additional workday or plant monitoring opportunities, please email [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8:00 AM on the workday. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgement when deciding whether or not to attend. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call 262.694.7351.

Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.