Saturday, August 9
Prairie Walk To Be Led by Dr. Robert Freckman

Noted grassland authority, Dr. Robert Freckmann, will lead a prairie walk on land owned by Prairie Sands Chapter members, Fawn and John Shillinglaw, in southwest Waushara County on Saturday, August 9. The Shillinglaws’ conservation easement protects grassland bird habitat and they invite North Central Conservancy Trust (www.ncctwi.org/event.htm) members as well as persons interested in learning about land trusts and prairies to enjoy the prairie and the birds.

Bring your binoculars and a chair.

July 19, 2008
Prairie Day at Hugh Iltis Prairie and Savanna, Marquette County.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friends and members will join here for a day-long program of prairie plant identification (led by Mike Engel, US Fish & Wildlife Service), butterfly and dragonfly identification (led by Dory Owen), birding, invasives identification and management techniques (led by Shelley and David Hamel) and Junegrass seed collection (to take to your own restoration project).

Event will be followed by the regular quarterly meeting of the chapter, to be held in the sod-roofed pole barn (estimated duration is 45 minutes). Bring a sack lunch and beverage cup, binoculars, field guides, scissors and bag if you’re collecting Junegrass. Ticks and chiggers can be a problem. This privately-owned but cooperatively managed (with generous assistance from US Fish & Wildlife Partners for Wildlife program and DNR LIP funding) is an 80-acre restoration prairie/savanna located at David and Shelley Hamel’s.

June 8, 2008
Triple Interpretive Hikes in honor of National Trails Day, John Muir Park

The Park is a listed site in the new Great Wisconsin Birding and Natural Trails booklet. There are three hikes scheduled during the day; participate in one, two, or all three:

9:00 a.m. - Hike Observatory Hill, a boyhood haunt of John Muir. View the remnant prairie at the base of the hill. This hike will be lead by Cathy Franks and Charlie Church, Prairie Enthusiast members who live at the base of the Hill.

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Hike John Muir Park State Natural Area, learn about the prairie restoration efforts going on there, and participate in guided bird observations. This hike will be lead by Mark Martin DNR and Sue Foote Martin, Bureau of Endangered Wildlife and Coordinator of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail project.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. - Picnic Lunch at the park.

1:30 - 3:00 p.m. - Hike the Fox River Refuge. Identify and learn about restoration efforts on the prairie, and learn about Invasive Free Zones. The Hike will be lead by Sadie O’Dell of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Dress for the weather; bring plenty of liquids, binoculars, sturdy shoes, lunch, snacks, sun block, Frisbees, softball and bat, fishing poles, kayaks. Gather in the parking lot at John Muir Park 15 minutes prior to the listed time for each individual hike.

May 10, 2008
Search and Destroy: Garlic Mustard at the John Muir Park and State Natural Area

9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Come prepared to help survey and identify garlic mustard and begin implementation of management strategies toward its removal. Bring gloves, long sleeves, parsnip shovels, other shovels, sturdy shoes, lunch, and lots of liquids. Carpools can be arranged.

How to get there: From the intersection of State Highway 22 and County Highway F south of Montello, go south on F 7.6 miles to the park entrance.
For information or to RSVP contact: Ann or Ralph Woldt

Great Job! 24 Bags Pulled!

April 22, 2008
Interpretive hike at the Fox River National Wildlife Refuge

6:00 p.m. - Join members of the Marquette Chapter of the Ice Age trail and celebrate John Muir's Birthday (April 21) and Earth Day (April 22). The hike will focus on the history of the refuge, Sandhill crane observation, and prairie/savanna restoration efforts. Hike and return to the park for birthday cake after the hike. Wear boots, layers, bring binoculars and your camera, and a drinking cup. Hike leader: Alan Bennett.

How to get there: From Portage, take Highway 33 east to County Highway F north; from Montello, take Highway 22 south to County Highway F south. Refuge is on west side of County Highway F, across from John Muir County Park.
For information or to RSVP contact: Karen Wollenburg