Early spring is an opportunity for invasive species control and prescribed fire. Prairies need fire to stay healthy. With certified leaders and on-the-spot training, teams of volunteers have been burning these prairies in early spring or late fall for many years. It’s safe, important, and an amazing experience. Later in spring, we begin collecting seed from the earliest blooming prairie plants like wood betony and prairie violet.

Seed collection expands as more prairie species, like downy phlox, Leiberg's panic grass, and Ohio spiderwort bloom and set seed. Invasive species control continues with the emergence of new bullies like sweet clover and purple loosestrife. Volunteers also scythe aggressive species that inhibit biodiversity, like tall goldenrod.

In the early fall, seed collection kicks into high gear as the summer bloomers set seed en masse: little bluestem, Indian grass, wild quinine and more are ripe for the picking. We also begin preparing burn breaks, as late fall sees another chance for prescribed fire. All the while, we plan for preparing, mixing and spreading the bounty of collected seeds. Seeds are crucial to the recovery of large areas of prairie that had been destroyed by invasives during decades when no one was caring for them.

Winter work focuses largely on controlling woody invasives like buckthorn, bush honeysuckle, and various invasive trees. We cut the brush with loppers and hand saws, carefully treat the stumps, and place the wood on a warm fire. It’s a great way to be outside in the winter, with friends, doing good.