STOUGHTON PRAIRIES
The Friends of the Stoughton Prairies Task Force is a collection of volunteers, city staff and elected officials who work as a collective to help cultivate, maintain and provide public education on the benefits of the prairie lands in Stoughton, WI. The task force not only acts as an advisory body to the Public Works staff and Public Works Committee, but also perform research, physical work, public education, seed harvesting and are responsible for the overall health of the prairie lands in Stoughton.
Stoughton Prairie Task Force Members
Public Works Committee Member (1)
Vacant
Citizen Members (3) (Serve a three year term)
Katelyn Geleynse
Jean Scoon - Chair
Britt Frankahuser
Kerri Kellerman
City Staff Member
Tony King - Parks & Rec Superintendent
Meeting Frequency
The Task Force meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:00pm. The location of each meeting is posted on the agenda that is sent out at least two days before the meeting.
Work days will be scheduled and run by the Task Force. All activities will be advertised on the City’s web page, social media and other media outlets.
UPCOMING 2024 COMMUNITY PRAIRIE WORK DAYS:
Jan - April: 4th Sunday only, alternate between prairies - Schefelker and Yahara River Trail
April - December: 2nd and 4th Sundays, alternating between Schefelker on 2nd Sunday and Yahara River Trail Prairie on 4th Sunday.
ALL WORK DAYS ARE FROM 9-11AM
Do you have a community group or organization that would like to come help us maintain our local prairies! This is a great wat to learn about prairie maintenance and to give back to the community at the same time. We appreciate any time that you can devote.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORK DAYS, CALL 608-873-6303
What To Bring
Gloves, appropriate shoe wear, bug spray and be sure to dress for the weather conditions. Hand tools will be provided.
STOUGHTON PRAIRIES
AMUNDSON PARK
Amundson prairie is a Mesic, medium and tall Grass Prairie. Planted by the River and Trails Task Force, the prairie consists of many appropriate species of prairie plants and grasses. There is a need to remove invasive species in the prairie. It will take 2 years to control with an adequate workforce. This prairie could benefit with the addition of more prairie grasses and a wider variety of flowering prairie plants. Located by the Yahara River and the Frisbee Golf Course, it benefits local pollinators, birds and wildlife, along with many walkers and bird watchers.
SCHEFELKER PARK
Schefelker prairie is a Mesic, medium and tall Grass Prairie. The prairie consists of many fine appropriate species of prairie plants and grasses. There is a large variety of invasive species of plants and trees in the prairie. Starting now it will take 3 years to control with an adequate workforce. It was planted with help from the National Parks and WI DNR. A short walk into Schefelker Park takes you to the hidden sloping prairie tucked between the woods. Alive with butterflies, dragonflies and birds, it is a beautiful and beneficial prairie in the Stoughton Parks System.
Schefelker Park Fleabane
BJOIN PARK
In 2021, Eco-Resource Consulting, Inc. (ERC} installed a Native Prairie Installation and Bjoin Park. Bjoin Park has been plagued by wet soils on the north side of the park Bjoin Park. The decision was made to convert this portion of the park to natural prairies land. This project to install the prairie involves herbicide site preparation, designing and procuring the proper native seed mixes}, installation of the native seed mixes}, and periodic mowing maintenance to help establish the prairie over time.
During two separate events, ERC Technicians applied an herbicide blend to the turf grass within the restoration areas. Herbicide applications were conducted when the site conditions and vegetative development are appropriate to maximize turf grass mortality. Signage was posted on the perimeter of the application area indicating that the herbicide application was conducted.
ERC Ecologists then designed and procured a full-sun native seed mix and a partial shade/full-shade native seed mix for the project site. Each native seed mix contains a wide array of native grasses, sedges, flowering legumes, and forbs (wildflowers). A nurse crop of annual rye or annual oats was added to the native seed at the time of planting. ERC Restoration Technicians installed the native seed mixes my means of a no-till native drill seeder. Some areas were also seeded with hand-crank broadcast seeders.
New native seedlings require two seasons of mowing maintenance to ensure full establishment. This mowing maintenance must be conducted with the correct timing, height, and frequency to ensure establishment of native species by the end of the second growing season (2023). Mowing will help prevent non-target species from producing seed and will allow sunlight to reach the slower growing native plant seedlings.
Native Plantings on Private Property
Additional Educational Links