We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of longtime TPE member Tom Brock. A true champion for prairies, Tom was also an accomplished microbiologist. Take a look at these remembrances that have been shared everywhere from our own Prairie Promoter to The New York Times. Photo by Kathie Brock Tom and his wife Kathie were […]
Here is a partial list of Wisconsin native plant nurseries. Do you have a favorite source? Wi native plant nurseries
Botanist and early TPE member Rob Baller created this series for our friends at Blue Mounds Area Project. The “blue sky” technique is Rob’s favorite for taking stunning plant photographs. Let him know what you think at robertballer@outlook.com. ALWAYS get permission from the property owner if you want to try this technique. Pasqueflower (Anemone patens) […]
If you’re not familiar with the Parsnip Predator, you’re missing out! Invented and produced by members of TPE’s Prairie Bluff Chapter, the Parsnip Predator is a tool designed for prairie invaders like wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and burdock (Arctium minus). It has gone through a few changes over the years, but it’s still just as […]
A conference tradition continues! The online format of our 2021 conference let TPE’s amazing photographers show off their work to more people than ever. Read on to see who won. We received entries in five categories: people, seasons, flora/fauna, landscape and wabi-sabi (the beauty of transience or imperfection). Avid photographer and contest judge Jerry Newman narrowed […]
Pour some coffee, curl up in your favorite chair, and delve into these books written by members and friends of TPE! Is there a book that should be on this list? If you’re an author writing about ecology, or have a favorite TPE author you want to share with the world, reach out at communications@theprairieenthusiasts.org. […]
This article was a collaboration with Jeb Barzen. Interested in pitching in to save our fire-dependent ecosystems? TPE’s next prescribed burn crew training will be an online-only class on February 23, 2021 (the day before our TPE Online Conference). Instructors Rob Baller, Scott Fulton, and Andy Sleger from the Empire-Sauk Chapter will lead this all-day […]
Here’s a recap of Driftless Area phenology from the past month, written by our very own Pat Trochlell. Pat’s inspiration comes from her career as a wetland ecologist with the Wisconsin DNR. She and her husband, Ken Wade, live near and are stewards of TPE’s 30-acre Parrish Oak Savanna, a diverse woodland ecosystem of over 240 native […]
Landowner Services Coordinator Dan Carter writes about some special moments from the highly successful first year of TPE’s Landowner Services program. Dan’s schedule for 2021 is almost full. Email landowners@theprairieenthusiasts.org as soon as possible to discuss a visit to your property. For each of us in our own way, it’s been a tough year. We’ve shelved […]
This article was a collaboration with Rich Henderson. We in the Empire-Sauk Chapter are dreaming of a day when more red-headed woodpeckers, regal fritillaries, and other grassland- and savanna-loving species will use Schurch-Thomson Prairie. That dream is one step closer now, as 25 acres around the Schurch-Thomson barn have been freed from a Managed Forest […]
