The bird count this year was done by Ben Winesett, a volunteer from Mt. Horeb, supplemented with additional species by Susan Slapnick. The total count is 72 species. Ben's count…

On Memorial Day weekend Kathie and I spent a day visiting the oak savanna restorations at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Over the past decades, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife…

Although native, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is completely undesirable in any restored natural area in the Midwest and should be eradicated. Girdling is the only effective procedure and the next…

Sand cherry (Prunus pumila) is widespread in Wisconsin but has a high Coefficient of Conservatism (9), an indication of its rather specialized habitat. As its common name implies, it is…

May is the season for may-apples (Podophyllum peltatum), and clones are now popping up all over the place. According to Curtis and others, this is a species which is found…

Upon viewing the oak savanna landscape at Pleasant Valley Conservancy it is natural to wonder about the ages of the trees. Many of the oaks, especially the burs, appear to…

Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) is a widespread sedge in Wisconsin wooded areas. It spreads primarily by rhizome growth and can make fairly large mats in favorable areas. At Pleasant Valley…

Despite the difficult weather, we had a great 2014 burn season at Pleasant Valley Conservancy. We burned a total of 84.2 acres. Here is the breakdown: March 29: prairie, 23…

Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadii) is one of the early flowering plants in our area. Although it is found often in high-quality prairies, at Pleasant Valley Conservancy its principal habitat is…

Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area is one of the treasures of The Prairie Enthusiasts and has been under intensive management since TNC first bought the property over 25…