The Harvest Moon (one day later) by Jay Johnson
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Greetings, Friends of the Prairie,
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The sign has held up amazingly well. In 1967, Chiwaukee Prairie (south of 116th Street) was declared a State Scientific Area, later to become a State Natural Area including areas north to the Kenosha dunes. Whatever the name, every year around the time of the Harvest Moon, the Prairie loses its bright colors in favor of the gold, copper, and tan of the native grasses, white sprays of frost asters tell the time, more hawks are flying through, large flocks of small birds are gathering, and there is a new crispness in the air. We, and all of the Prairie's occupants, know it is time for change, time to wind down summer and prepare for winter. Stewardship now shifts from controlling invasive forbs and grasses to controlling invasive brush and gleefully preparing for prescribed burns, the most valuable of management tools. This week volunteers will be mowing firebreaks using our new DR Mower purchased with grant funds.
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Fire break mowed on Gen Crema Trail by Pam Holy
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Downy Gentian (Gentiana puberulenta) by Eric Howe
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They came later this year, but they are as stunning as ever! Chiwaukee is home to five species of Gentians; the five petal Downy pictured above, the four petal Fringed pictured below, the Small Fringed, Agueweed, and the Bottle Gentian.
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Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis crinita) by Eric Howe
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Wild Ones Visit the Prairie
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Kay McClelland points out one of many species by Rick Wadleigh
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Blue was certainly the most brilliant color on the Prairie the last Sunday in September when members of the Root River Chapter of Wild Ones (Native Plants, Natural Landscaping) paid their annual visit to Chiwaukee. Many were coincidentally dressed in blue to match the Gentians (photos above) that they saw on their plant walk with Naturalist, Kay McClelland. In addition to Gentians, Kay pointed out many, many other plants, including ten species of goldenrod! On a damp chilly day, a bowl of chili after was welcomed.
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White Flat-topped Goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides) by Eric Howe
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by Pam Holy
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The volunteers pictured above just finished cutting and herbiciding sumac on the warm September workday. Motivated by their caring for the Prairie (and home baked cookies), they filled the truck with cut sumac and felt good doing it. Many thanks to you all!
Saturday, October 15, we again will be cutting and herbiciding sumac. Depending on the weather and the turnout, we may also collect seed. The prediction is for cloudy skies early followed by partial clearing with a high of 61 degrees. Winds are expected to be SW at 10 to 15 mph. Wear old clothes, long pants and sturdy shoes or boots and gloves. We supply tools, water, instructions, and answers to all your questions about the Prairie. (Can't promise cookies.)
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The workday is from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Come for part or all of it.
PLEASE NOTE:
We will meet on 2nd Avenue at 122nd Street.
( Click here or here for a map)
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If you would like to be notified about additional workday opportunities, plant scouting opportunities or plant identification walks, please update your preferences at the end of this email.
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.
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If you have questions, please email or call 773-515-2772.
Thank you for your support,
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.
(Please remember us on AmazonSmile and Goodshop)
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