MKE Audubon’s next prairie weeding event at Buffalo Speaks Reserve is Thursday, May 22, 5-8 PM.

Come join us as the spring growth kicks into overdrive and learn about some native plants from Restoration Ecologist Randy Powers while enjoying stunning views of Horicon Marsh in spring form. Arrive when you can.

Hope to see you there!

Location linked below.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kL48NWxcn98aeqm87

Where: LIZARD MOUND PARK - 2121 Highway A, West Bend, WI

When: Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 1-3 PM   

Who: Hosted by Friends of Lizard Mound Park

Tubex tree shelters, oak stakes, and tools provided by Milwaukee Audubon Society  

This is a follow-up to our March 29 flagging of white-oak-type seedings. 

On Monday, May 12th, we will double-check seedling ID and distribution with WDNR Forester Ben Ross.

Our easy goal is to place and stake approximately 24 tree shelters to mark and promote the growth of the next generation of anthropogenic savanna trees.

By favoring naturally seeded oaks, local site genetics are retained.

This is very light work and should not be difficult. Tree shelters increase seedling growth rate and help burn managers protect favored trees.

At the same time, Randy Powers plans to inventory peaking spring ephemeral flowers 

and welcomes the company of anyone who prefers a flower walk. 

If conditions allow, Randy will be on MAS’s adjacent Bear’s Head Springs property.

Randy also invites prairie and savanna volunteers at Buffalo Speaks Reserve, near Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 PM - arrive when you can.

These dates are May 22 (not the last Thursday), June 26, July 24 (NTLT), August 28, September 25, October 23 (NTLT)

Join Us for an Oak Seedling Hunt at Lizard Mound Park!

📍 Meeting Point: Lizard Mound Park parking lot
📅 Date: This Saturday
🚶 Activity: A short, easy walk through the park

This event is a simple yet meaningful effort to support savanna restoration at Lizard Mound Park. We’ll be on foot, searching for around two dozen white-oak-type seedlings hiding in the park’s savanna restoration grasses. No prior tree identification skills are needed—we’ll work together to spot and flag these young oaks with a ribbon for an important follow-up field event in April.

In April, with the guidance of Kettle Moraine State Foresters, we’ll install tree protectors around the flagged seedlings. These young oaks carry invaluable site-genetic information and have the potential to grow into the next generation of open-grown savanna trees.

🌿 Why Join?

• This is the perfect season to enjoy the park and Milwaukee Audubon Society’s adjacent Bear’s Head Springs mound site before plant green-up.

• Learn about the significance of anthropogenic savanna as habitat gardens on ceremonial sites.

• Deepen your understanding of oak species and why site genetics within the larger Lizard Mound Site hold important information relating to understanding the cultural landscape.

• Enjoy a rewarding, hands-on conservation experience—bring a friend and be part of something special!

Everyone is welcome, and no special knowledge or equipment is needed. Just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm. See you there!

Terri and Bill Yoho, 

Friends of Lizard Mound Park

and

Jim Uhrinak, Martha Bergland, and Randy Powers, 

Milwaukee Audubon Conservation Committee

Now is the time to strike to get rid of the burdock at Buffalo Speaks Reserve!
The eradication of this intrusive invasive will be at the Northern Prairie planting on the wooded edge.

We need YOU, our dedicated volunteers, THIS MONDAY, to help with the burdock removal for the future health and wellness of the Buffalo Speaks Reserve. We hope you can join us, the more us to help the easier the work.

The area should be shaded by noon so you’ll be safe from the sun. Jim will be there with the truck to collect the the bothersome burdock, no lugging weed bags around. If you make it to the end of the removal you may be treated to a burdock bonfire!

Join MAS to help weed at Buffalo Speaks Reserve: Prairie Site

RSVP to Randy via email pfsco@wi.rr.com to attend.

As you enter the drive look for red flagging on the lawn to the left of the drive, these will guide you to the planting area in the back where the cars can park next to the planting. 

If you find yourself a little lost please contact Randy on his cell phone to guide you to the site: 715 820-2721.

Bring your own drinking water and bug spray.

Randy also provides an educational component to the evening the directly relates to the work being done at the site. Often he features photos from the previous weed-outs including, photo plates of wildlife, bugs and plants that are unusual or have significance to MAS’s projects.

We hope you can join us!

If you can't labor, bring a folding chair and visit! Any support is welcome.

MAS needs your help for the regrading project at Kolterman Field. Google Maps Link to Location

Our farmer, Scott Franke, will use his backhoe to begin decommissioning agricultural drain tile and pull up the lower terrace soil. There will be work picking up pieces of tile and throwing them into a wagon.

We will also need grading spotters to keep an eye out for Indian artifacts on the surface of any spread of soil. By mid-day we expect to begin digging the lower terrace. We will need more spotters by then and would be grateful for your help.

Please feel free to drop in at whatever time you can from 9:30A - 5:00P. Any help or time you can give is greatly appreciated!

If you are unable to work, or are simply out to take pictures, a lawn chair makes sense to be comfortable. You could be lucky enough to spot one of the neighborhood whoopers.

Bring plenty of drinking water and a hard garden rake, if you have one available to help with tile removal .

Join us to help weed at Buffalo Speaks Reserve.

Contact Randy at 715 820-2721 to attend. He will provide you with details on how to access the site.

If you can't labor, bring a folding chair and visit with Martha. She is planning to bring some wrapped snacks. Your presence is appreciated!

Bring your own drinking water and bug spray.

Watch for whooping cranes west of the Kolterman field and pink flagging along North Point Road.

We look forward to seeing you!