Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund

CPPF's Monthly Update - February 2026
https://mailchi.mp/e78807b090c6/2026-february

Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,

It's that time of year, somewhere between winter and spring when a bit of warm weather melts the snow and leaves the Prairie looking uniformly tan as the dry stems of last years' grasses and flora wave in the wind. If you would like a great reminder of the Prairie in the growing season, check out Dana Garrigan’s presentation on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak5tamhnZg4). It may inspire you to plan joining the First Saturday Prairie Nature Walks starting in May. Better yet, it may inspire you to plant natives in your own garden. If you are so inspired, check out the Root River Wild Ones online native plant sale on now until April 1 (https://rootrivernativeplantsale.org/)

If you just can’t wait to get out into the Prairie, join our volunteers this Saturday as they take on invasive aspen.

============================

January Workday

Please refer to the images on this post for details.

============================

Workday

This Saturday, February 21, we will be using Makutus to basal bark aspen resprouts south of the west end of Jim Olson Trail (122nd Street). The prediction is for mostly cloudy with a high of 37 degrees. Winds are expected to be NW at 10 to 15 mph. Wear old clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, and gloves you don't treasure. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie. Interested in attending Extra Workdays? See below.

The workday is 9 AM to Noon. Come for part or all of it.
PLEASE: Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in

We will meet on 2nd Avenue at 122nd Street near the gate.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9UZoHeXdok7QRWCh7

If you would like to be notified about extra workday opportunities, plant scouting opportunities or plant identification walks, please email [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8 AM on the workday. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgement when deciding whether or not to attend. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call 262.694.7351.

Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.

CPPF's Monthly Update - November 2025

Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,

This November is turning out to be full of colorful and deep surprises. Fiery sunsets and a foot of snow! Hopefully, the snow will melt and lots of prescribed burns will really light up the Prairie this month.

=================

Facelift on 1st Court?
What’s the story with the missing weather station on 1st Court?

First, it was an air monitoring station, not a weather station, and it tracked ozone and fine particulates coming from the south and east, the source of the highest smog rates in Wisconsin. It was old and while it would be great to have it gone, it will soon be replaced by more modern equipment. The new station will be forest green, smaller, shorter , and sit directly on the ground. The hope is that the color and lower profile will blend in better with the prairie. When asked if the fence could also be painted green, Ben Wolf, DNR Air monitoring Manager, said he would request it.

=================

October Workday
In October, 12 volunteers began cutting and stacking invasive brush for snow time burning. They cleared 6,300sq ft of previously treated tall hedge brush along the 122nd Street ditch between 1st Court and 2nd Avenue creating 13 brush piles! (See Before and After photos)

=================

November Workday
Saturday, November 15, we will be working in the Bur Oak woods near 116th Street and 4th Avenue clearing out previously treated honeysuckle. The prediction is for cloudy with a high of 61 degrees. Winds are expected to be SW at 10 to 20 mph. Wear old clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, hats and gloves. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie. Interested in attending Extra Workdays? See below.

The workday is 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Come for part or all of it.
Arrive 10 minutes early to sign-in.

PLEASE NOTE:
We will meet along 4th Avenue north of 116th Street.
Please park on the east side of 4th Avenue. Please refer to the map.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YGZrEitxPPaNJXKJ9

https://www.chiwaukee.org/event/2025-11-15/

If you would like to be notified about extra workday opportunities, plant scouting opportunities or plant identification walks, please email [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Workday cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook by 8:00 AM on the workday. If you are unsure whether a workday will take place, please use good judgement when deciding whether or not to attend. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call 262.694.7351.

Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc