Prairie Smoke Calendar

Prairie Smoke Field Trips

Each summer, we have 3-4 field trips and 1-2 work days, and then in the fall we have our annual get-together. We will do the same this year, and we'll be sure to send out an announcement by email and/or mail sometime after burn season (mid-May). This will be a great time, as the prairie will begin blooming at that time.

Although the weather has not been cooperating, burn season is underway, and we have already burned over 120 acres. Last year, our members burned over 600 acres. We may not reach that mark this year, but by the looks of all the burns scheduled in the next three weeks, we may come close if the rain holds off. One final note about burn season this year, we have long-sleeve cotton t-shirts that have our logo on the front and "We Like It Hot" in flames on the back. We are selling them for $12 each (our cost). If interested, send me an email. Thanks, Dave Edwards, Prairie Smoke Chapter of TPE, Membership Coordinator/Treasurer.

Rattlesnake Survey

The MN DNR Nongame Program will be conducting a large-scale timber rattlesnake survey throughout the historic range of this species in SE MN.The survey goal is to determine the current species range in Minnesota. Volunteers are welcome to assist with the survey. This will involve hiking on steep bluff prairies, often climbing over and under thick vegetation looking for snakes, native prairie plants, lizards and other features found on bluffs. Survey will be conducted primarily in May. Prairie Smoke has been an active participant in bluff prairie restoration with many benefits to this threatened species.

If you are interested in helping on this survey, please contact Jaime Edwards at (507) 280-5070 or jaime.edwards@dnr.state.mn.us