We'll hike from the Table Bluff Rd trailhead to the south end of the segment and return, a distance of nearly five miles.  The rocky prairie on the south end overlooking the upper Black Earth Creek valley be in full should be in full flower.  The nearly full moon will rise shortly after we begin our […]

We will mow sumac with power brush cutters; operators with foot, ear and eye protection welcome.  Probably we will also cut honeysuckle, autumn olive and other brushy invasives, and herbicide the stumps.  This may be especially effective within the area we burned this spring.  In short, we'll be able to find productive work for anyone who comes […]

Using hand tools such as McCleods, we'll work on improving walkability and drainage on a stretch of trail that roughly parallels Highway M on the south side of Verona.   Park on Whalen Road near its intersection with Highway M and the trail.  (Map, directions).

This workday will aim to set back the aspen and sumac invading prairie areas in the north end of the segment, also known as the Holmes Preserve.  We'll go after sumac with power brush cutters, and either herbicide or girdle aspen clones, depending on the size of the shoots. We may have other work to do as […]

The very first prospective overnight guest who logged an entry at our   dispersed camping area here shortly after it was built last spring not only lambasted the lack of level ground for tenting, but angrily moved on without camping!  We heard him!  On this workday, we will build a simple level tent pad to make the site more habitable for an […]

Our first prairie weeding workday of the summer is at a site soon to see trail after more than 15 years of restoration and care.  (Liebetrau map/directions.)  Our restored prairies and savannas require much attention, especially in their early years, to rid them of wild parsnip, yellow and white sweet clover, burdock, mullein, curly dock, Japanese […]

We will remove new buckthorn and honeysuckle plants and resprouts from areas we cleared previously.  Much of the work will be done with power brush cutters.  Operators with eye and ear protection are welcome.  There also will be plenty of work for those who prefer to use hand tools or treating cut stumps with herbicide. Sturdy boots with excellent […]

Priority one will be yellow sweet clover, because it's easiest to find in bloom and flowering means that it will soon make long-lived seed if not checked.  We will attack it with power brush cutters, along with hand pulling scattered plants.  Priority two will be cutting sumac with brush cutters, assuming it's to early to […]

Priority one will be yellow sweet clover, because it's easiest to find in bloom and flowering means that it will soon make long-lived seed if not checked.  We will attack it with power brush cutters, along with hand pulling scattered plants.  Priority two will be cutting sumac with brush cutters, assuming it's to early to […]

If there's a breeze today, it surely will be on this beautiful high ground!  Our restored prairies and savannas require much attention, especially in their early years, to rid them of wild parsnip, yellow and white sweet clover, burdock, mullein, curly dock, Japanese hedge parsley and other invading exotics.  There may be some infestations suitable for power brushcutters […]