In my last post I discussed the value in a restoration project of doing Photo Points. After a few years it is hard to remember what a particular site or…

Fifteen years ago, soon after we had begun restoration work, we were advised to start taking photos at fixed locations so as to document changes through the years. I took…

I've been spending a lot of time reading the literature on the role/use of prescribed fire in oak savannas and woodlands. The consensus among forest ecologists seems to be that…

Kathie and I spent the past three days in Dubuque, Iowa at a big fire conference organized by the Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna (TPOS) Fire Science Consortium (see map…

I have added an addendum to my post that prioritized invasive species. This came from an email that I was sent by Bill McGillvray, a super volunteer at Brooklyn Wildlife…

This year we will be sharing summer interns with Rich Henderson and The Prairie Enthusiasts. Recruiting is now underway and detailed information can be obtained from this web site. Briefly,…

I put priorities on the invasive species that we have to worry about. My ratings were the following: Eradicate everywhere Eradicate in high-quality areas Control spread Control if time available…

We have very little ag land at Pleasant Valley Conservancy, but what we do have is all planted to prairie. This land has been in the federal Conservation Reserve Program…

The first snow of the winter is a great time for burning brush piles and  yesterday was the day. Each year we create a "generic" brush pile on the edge…

Yesterday our monthly work party at Black Earth Rettenmund focused on controlling the large amount of prairie willow (Salix humilis) that threatens to take over the top of the knoll…