We have so far protected 30 sites totaling 2,066 acre in Wisconsin and Northwest Illinois. Here are a few examples.
Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area
Shea PrairieVale Prairie
Schurch-Thomson
Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie
Pleasant Valley Conservancy
Kalscheur Savanna
Thomas Wet Prairie
Gary Eldred Prairie Preserve
Underwood Prairie
Your interest and enthusiasm will keep us moving. Become a member or consider a donation! Both membership dues and donations are tax deductible.
Members receive our quarterly newsletter, The Prairie Promoter. It focuses on prairie and savanna conservation and on opportunities to actively participate in saving vital pieces of a severely endangered ecosystem.
You are encouraged to participate in chapter meetings, workshops, field trips, picnics, and other activities.
Become involved in our projects and educational endeavors -- you will not only help save our precious prairies but also meet interesting people who share your commitment to conservation and preservation.
Learn prairie and oak savanna management through hands-on work parties.
Learn more about prairie and oak savanna plant and animal communities through field trips, workshops, conferences and a quarterly newsletter.
During the 5,000 years preceding European settlement, much of the Upper Midwest's landscape was dominated by prairies and oak savannas. The 150 years following settlement have witnessed the destruction of all but 0.15% of these communities, and many of their associated plants and animals have become rare. In other words, less than 15 acres remain for each 10,000 acres of pre-settlement prairies and savannas.
Today, of the little that remains, only about 20% is actively protected and managed. The rest is still un-recognized and is steadily succumbing to development, tree planting and natural invasion by trees and shrubs.
The annual losses of prairie and savanna remnants are small as measured in acres and often go unnoticed. A few more decades of such losses will leave little to preserve outside of the precious few public and private preserves that exist today. The Prairie Enthusiasts, in cooperation with other conservation groups, is working to reverse this trend.
Restored prairies are very good for many reasons, but they are never as biologically diverse or physically complete as original prairie sod - no matter how small an area. Whenever possible, we encourage people to first conduct plant surveys on their land, identify the prairie remnant, then add buffer zones using locally collected seed or a reputable seed source.
Inventory and Protection
Our inventories have cataloged hundreds of prairie and oak savanna sites and rare species locations. As of January 2008, we have protected, or are managing, almost 4,000 acres. We own 18 sites totaling 942 acres, hold easements on 9 sites totaling 834 acres, have acquired and transferred to conservation partners title or easement on another 290 acres, and we carry out management agreements that benefit another 70 sites that total nearly 2,000 acres. We hope to be able to accomplish much, much more.
Management and Restoration
We love watching prairies and oak savannas grow and flourish year after year as they respond to proper management and species enrichment. Surviving remnants of prairie and savanna are often small isolated patches which require active management to remain healthy. The Prairie Enthusiasts assist both public agencies and private groups in managing remnant lands through our stewardship program of prescribed burns, brush removal and exotic plant control. Some chapters are also active in planting new areas as buffer zones or replacements for lost ecosystems. To date, over 500 acres have been planted with seeds collected from local sources by Prairie Enthusiasts volunteers.
Education
We offer educational opportunities through presentations, publications and field trips. Our members enjoy learning about identification, conservation and management through the many field trips we conduct from April through October.
If you'd like to join us or make a donation to our efforts, complete our membership form.