The Prairie Enthusiasts

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The Prairie Enthusiasts

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Protecting prairies and oak savannas in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

10/14/2026

Prairies, grasslands, oak savannas and more. Explore thousands of years of natural history and learn from the people who shaped our landscapes.

During our 2027 Virtual Conference "Old Growth Ecosystems: Hidden Knowledge and Ancient Stories," enjoy hearing from speakers like:

-Keynotes Karen Oberhauser and Michelle Nijhuis
-Chris Johnstone
-Sam Lord
-Jennifer Grenz
-Greg Hoch
-Brice Hanberry..and many more!

We know this is just a teaser, but we're SO excited to share all of our speakers with you when our early-bird tickets launch on November 19! We have over 20 speakers leading engaging sessions, two panels and multiple engagement opportunities, and we can't wait for you to see the full agenda soon.

If you want to be the first to be notified when our tickets launch, make sure to sign up for our Organization eNews here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/email-updates/

Learn more about our upcoming conference here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/annual-conference/

Photo by Rob Baller

10/13/2026

What do our Site Monitors do and why is it important?

The Prairie Enthusiasts' Site Monitors complete annual monitoring visits to land protected by the organization, including both conservation easements and owned preserves. These visits are an important component of our responsibilities as a land trust and ensure the properties we have protected are maintained and thriving as intended. Site Monitors also play an important role connecting with our conservation easement landowners to maintain positive relationships and proactively answer questions about the restrictions on the property.

Thank you to all of our many Site Monitors who monitor our sites!

You can learn about our sites here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/visit-our-sites/

Photo of Site Monitors during Shea Prairie's wetland monitoring in 2025 by Rob Baller

10/12/2026

As the prairie settles into its last gasps of autumn colors and falls into a tranquil dormancy, the busiest things in the prairie are often the humans hard at work stewarding the land. Straddling the tail end of seed collecting and the beginning of fire season, October calls to mind reciprocity; as the land rests, we are able to provide care in exchange for the life and beauty that it has brought us all summer.

On this Indigenous People's Day, we are reminded that the reciprocity we are attempting to cultivate has been and continues to be exemplified by the original stewards of the land. For thousands of years, the prairies and oak savannas of the Upper Midwest evolved alongside human stewardship. Indigenous Peoples ignited fires across the landscape, creating the unique ecosystems that once covered much of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Since the arrival of Europeans, these places have become imperiled due to the plow, development pressure and hundreds of years of fire suppression. To thrive, these ecosystems require the reciprocal relationships with humanity that they evolved with. You can help ensure that these precious places and the millennia of care that has been invested into them survive into the future.

When you're out this month collecting the seed from goldenrod and coneflowers or surveying the charred remains of a burn, we hope that you will join us in taking a moment to reflect on the legacy of the original stewards of these lands and the responsibilities we have to honor both their past and ongoing care today.

Learn more about Indigenous fire practices here: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/indigenous-fire-practices-shape-our-land.htm

View an Indigenous Land map here: https://native-land.ca/

Find more information about upcoming events, our sites and other ways to connect with the land through our website here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/

Photo of a foggy October morning in the valley in Southeastern Trempeauleau County by Kathleen Carlyle

10/09/2026

Why choose between working or playing on the prairie when you can do both?!

We have over 10 events happening this weekend and even more coming up over the next month, so make sure to find field trips, work parties, workshops and more taking place near you on our Events Calendar: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/events-calendar/

You can find a list of our sites to visit here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/visit-our-sites/

Don't miss out on the latest event updates! Subscribe to a Chapter eNewsletter and our Organizational eNewsletter to stay up to date: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/email-updates/

Photo of September seed collecting work day at Mounds View Grassland by Rob Baller

10/08/2026

Want to be the first to know about field trips, work parties, gatherings and other news happening in your area?

Subscribe to one or more of our eNewsletters!

At the beginning of every month, The Prairie Enthusiasts sends out an organizational eNewsletter with the latest news and updates, upcoming events and educational material. Each of our 13 Chapters also has their own eNewsletter which will give you the most up-to-date information about specific events happening near you.

Not sure which Chapters are in your vicinity? You can check out our Chapter map here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/about-us/our-chapters/find-your-chapter/

Sign up for one or more of our eNewsletters or update your email preferences here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/email-updates/

Photo from recent tour of Three Rivers Park District by Sarah Barron

10/07/2026

The air is cooling and Prairie Enthusiasts are starting to migrate indoors. As we spend more time inside, check out some creative ways that people are connecting to the prairie! We hope their work inspires you.

Photo 1: Riders of the Blue Sage by Joe Maurer

Photo 2: Sweet scented Joe-pye w**d, Eutrochium purpureum by Michelle Cochran

Photo 3: RxWalk, Kammerer Meadow by Max Sorenson

Photo 4: Amazing Prairie Tall Grasses by Jim Daubert

Check out more of Joe Maurer's work on our blog here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/blog_springtimemagic/

Read about Michelle Cochran's process and check out more pieces from The Botanical Art of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden Florilegium in our fall issue of The Prairie Promoter here:https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026.09.09_Fall_ThePrairiePromoter_Web.pdf

Read about Max Sorenson's Artist's Project: RxWalk and check out more of his drawings in our spring 2025 issue of The Prairie Promoter here:https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025_03_Spring_ThePrairiePromoter_Web.pdf

Read Jim Daubert's corresponding poem "Amazing Prairie Tall Grasses" in our fall issue of The Prairie Promoter here:https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026.09.09_Fall_ThePrairiePromoter_Web.pdf

10/06/2026

Gabriel Bertilson's talents and contributions to The Prairie Enthusiasts are many, and are difficult to capture in a few paragraphs. In our fall issue of The Prairie Promoter, Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter Board Member Ben Bullard attempts this challenge in a member spotlight.

Read "Member Spotlight: Gabriel Bertilson" here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/member-spotlight-gabriel-bertilson/

Photo of Gabriel Bertilson prearing to burn by Evanne Hunt

10/05/2026

It's really, truly fall! 💛

What are your favorite ways to connect with the prairie this time of year? What are your favorite spots to check out? Let us know in the comments!

Photo of Grand Oak Preserve in autumn by Jim Hewitt

10/02/2026

Check out our seed collecting and work party opportunities happening this weekend and during the month of October!

Find events happening near you on our Events Calendar: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/events-calendar/

Or you can check out one of our sites on your own! Find a list of our sites here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/visit-our-sites/

To be the first to hear about events happening near you, subscribe to a Chapter eNewsletter or our Organizational eNewsletter to stay up to date: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/email-updates/

Photo of seeds recently collected in a prairie by Sarah Barron

10/01/2026

St. Croix Valley Chapter Chair, Evanne Hunt, has served as the Chapter's Chair for around 25 years, and her commitment to community is palpable.

Melinda Knutson, Coulee Region Chapter Chair, recently interviewed Evanne for a member profile in our recent issue of The Prairie Promoter where Evanne reflects on her connection to prairies, restoration, Chapter leadership and outreach.

Read "Sustained Enthusiasm!" here: https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/sustained-enthusiasm/

Photo of Evanne Hunt by Greg Korman

Address

P. O. Box 824
Viroqua, WI
54665

Website

https://theprairieenthusiasts.org/

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