We have the last Young’s prairie workday of the winter.  Last time we focused on the lower shoulder. This Sunday we will be working at the top, focusing on trees around the perimeter and close to the adjacent planted prairie.

We have been thinning the band of trees between Young’s remnant and the planted prairie and will continue that work.

Winter workdays with snow cover also means we’ll burn slash piles, so wear natural fiber clothing (wool, cotton) for your outer layer. All-day or morning-only volunteers welcome. If staying for the afternoon, be sure to bring some food and drink. It will be possible to heat that food if you like.

Some cold weather advice:

• If you have a balaclava, wear it under a chainsaw helmet and wear the helmet on the way in. I find the earmuffs are amazingly effective to hold in warmth. We can talk loud over the earmuffs.
• An additional neck band will help.
• I have a polypro under layer, fleece lined jeans and another pair of pants over that, all before the chaps go on. And my boots are slightly oversized so I can have two pair of socks— one pair is knee high.
• My 3/4 length jacket is insulated.
• Have everything ready to go, including your chaps on and your insulated leather mittens (not gloves) pre-warmed on the dashboard when you arrive. The gloves are ok once we have the brush pile going, so bring them too.
• Warm up the interior of your car before you head out unless you have a heated garage. Nothing chills the hands better than gripping a -10° F steering wheel, and once cold it takes a long time for the hands to warm back up. Ditto for the toes.
• If you are running a chainsaw be sure to have winter grade bar oil. You can destroy your oil pump if you use the wrong type of summer grade oil.

We meet at 9:15 and walk in about 5 minutes later.  Park on the west side of HWY D, with all wheels off pavement.  If you are arriving late simply follow the official Ice Age trail westward and look for smoke just before the trail turns to the north.

Interested in receiving email notifications about workdays? Contact Megan Schliesman (schliesfrau@gmail.com) and ask to be added to our “Stewardship” email group.