There was a small and motivated volunteer group turn out for seed collection on September 24th. With the sun still warm and bright in the sky, the group headed into the Walnut Prairie with buckets and bags in hand in search of native prairie plants with seed ready for collecting. Read more…
September 24 5:00 – 7:00 pm Help with the ongoing prairie restoration project by collecting prairie seeds. Volunteers should wear long pants, socks, good walking shoes, and gloves. Also bring a hat, long-sleeved shirt, water bottle, and hand pruners if you have them. Seed collection bags and extra pruners will be Read more…
The prairies in the park are looking great. A few patches of ragweed and crown vetch have re-sprouted in Swain Prairie since treatments earlier in the season. Those patches will be cut prior to going to seed. Adaptive Restoration and volunteers have done well with the herbaceous weeds throughout the Read more…
The prairies are really starting to take off given mid summer rain and sun. Adaptive Restoration recently performed a site visit of each of the prairies on July 12. All in all, they are pleased with the post-burn and post-spray effects of the 2024 spring season. The crown vetch and Read more…
There were some definite highlights during recent field days; including flowering purple milkweed (pictured), tall thimbleweed (pictured), lots of gentian, and native thistles. The crown vetch was thick in much of Swain Prairie so there will be significant zones of dead plants in the interest of the long-term welfare of Read more…
The Friends have created a regular volunteer/work day schedule to help with prairie restoration and maintenance efforts at Blue Mound State Park.
Upper Walnut and Swain Prairie experienced a controlled burn. the Wisconsin DNR and local fire department were on site to control the burn areas. The burn is an important step in the restoration of the prairies as it promotes new growth, helps control plant diseases, and lowers the risk of Read more…