Prairie restoration efforts are well underway. So far in 2024 the Pool, Upper Walnut, and Swain Prairies have been burned, cleared, and re-seeded. These projects have been completed thanks to the efforts and professional support of Adaptive Restoration and many volunteers. More volunteers and work days are needed to progress the prairie restoration project.
The Friends have created a regular volunteer/work day schedule. Join us on the second Thursday (8am – 10am) and fourth Tuesday (6pm – 8pm) of each month. See the summer volunteer dates below.
| Morning (8am-10am) | Afternoon (6pm-8pm) |
| July 23 |
For our planning purposes, contact [email protected] if you’re able to join us on the designated work days or are able to recruit anyone else. We’ll contact volunteers via email with details about upcoming work days, cancellations due to inclement weather, and future work dates.
June 2024 Update
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 the prairie. You may have noticed some mowed areas on the prairies. Adaptive Restoration and volunteers mowed the reed canary grass (before going to seed) in the couple of areas it exists in the Swain and Walnut Prairies.
These prairies are already looking better and they will continue to improve as we burn, spray, mow, and interseed in the coming years.
Volunteers should wear clothes/shoes sufficient to walk through a prairie and perhaps gloves if they have sensitive hands. All volunteers will meet at the Friends Shelter and carpool from there unless otherwise communicated in advance
Let us know if you have any questions! We hope you can make it for one or more of our scheduled work party days and help restore the prairies for all visitors to enjoy!
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