We will be hosting two events at The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies next month. One is the workshop I mentioned last week, which is taking the place of the cancelled North American Prairie Conference (July 25-26), and is co-hosted by TNC and Prairie Plains Resource Institute. The second is a public field day on Saturday July 9, which I mentioned in an earlier post.

Read below for details on both events and links to even more information. Both events are free, but we’re asking people to contact us if you’re planning to attend. Please help us spread the word on both of these events – thank you!

1. Conserving Fragmented Prairies Workshop. July 25-26, 2022 – Marquette and Wood River, Nebraska.

This field-based workshop will focus on a range of topics related to restoration and management of prairies in fragmented landscapes and is designed for prairie land stewards and landowners.  We will visit sites that illustrate both successes and challenges as a way to foster conversation and sharing of experiences between participants. Discussion highlights will be captured and shared out with participants and a broader audience following the conclusion of the workshop.

Topics will include prairie restoration/reconstruction, fire and grazing management, woody plant and other invasive species management, and more. See the full agenda and other details HERE.

The vast majority of the workshop will be held outdoors, so plan accordingly.  All food and lodging will be the responsibility of participants.  Restaurants and hotels can be found in the nearby towns of Aurora and Grand Island, which sit between Day 1 and Day 2 field sites.

There is no cost for this workshop, but space is limited, so register early (use this registration form) to ensure you get a spot.  Masks may be required for indoor sessions.  We hope to host the workshop rain or shine but may have to adjust or cancel portions if we get severe weather.

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2. Platte River Prairies Field Day. July 9, 2022 – The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies

On Saturday July 9, The Nature Conservancy will host a public field day at its Platte River Prairies with events running from 7am to about 2:15pm. This event is open to people of all ages and will be family-friendly. A variety of educational hikes will take place throughout the day, led by scientists and conservation professionals from multiple organizations. You can attend the whole event or just pop in and out for the topics you’re most interested in.

Come learn how to identify prairie birds, grasses, and wildflowers! Catch and learn about insects and their amazing life stories. Tag along with a scientist as he studies the mice and other small mammals that live beneath the grasses. Learn about prairie wetlands and the abundant life that inhabits them. If you’re in the mood to work (a little) you even can help harvest prairie seed for a restoration project.

This will be a fully-outdoors event (with bathrooms available). Please dress for a day outside and bring plenty of food and water to get you through the day, along with sunscreen and insect repellant. The site is located about 2 miles south of the Wood River Exit off of Interstate 80. See this link for more location details.

Click HERE to see a full detailed agenda for the day. If you plan to attend, please email Mardell Jasnowski at mjasnowski@tnc.org. We will contact you with more details or any changes to the schedule.