See the wildflowers at Fosters Cemetery on June 3

• After brush clearing

After brush clearing
• Before brush clearing

James Nelson and Bob Lorenzen preparing for brush clearing.

Talk about it

The St. Croix Valley Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE) is sponsoring a spring wildflower walk from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 3, at Foster Hill and Foster Cemetery in River Falls.

The group is actively managing this concentration of prairie and oak savanna remnants collectively known as Foster Hill.

Starting with Foster Cemetery in 1998, management efforts have expanded onto adjoining private properties with a U.S Fish & Wildlife Private Land Stewardship Grant and a Wisconsin DNR Landowner Incentive Program (LIP).

On this hike you will see the acres of puccoon, prairie smoke, penstemon grandiflorous, etc. that have resulted from extensive brushing and burning. Portions of the site were burned last fall and some this spring. We will hike into the valley and back out again with a wildflower walk in between. Note to walkers: The ground will be rough and uneven.

Walkers should meet at the wastewater treatment plant parking area on Apollo Road. From there a shuttle will take walkers to the starting point of the hike. There is no charge for this event.

Field trips generally proceed rain or shine except for severe weather or unless otherwise noted, so bring appropriate clothing and apparel. A hat, long pants, and sturdy footwear are recommended, along with sunscreen and insect/tick repellant.

Call Wayne Huhnke at 425-7605 or 715-222-6910 or Evanne Hunt, 381-1291, eahunt@pressenter.com for more information.

TPE is a private organization committed to the protection and management of native prairie and savanna of the Upper Midwest. It has incorporated nonprofit status and is a grass roots organization run mainly by volunteers.

It differs from other conservation groups in its sole dedication to the preservation of the last remaining pieces of the once vast, now endangered, prairies and savannas of the Upper Midwest through land protection and management.

More information can be found at www.theprairieenthusiasts.org/chapter/stcroix/stcroix.html

Tags: river falls, wi dnr, local news, outdoors, wisconsin