Calling all amateur lepidopterists!

If you have been meaning to get out to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, and happen to also love butterflies, the National Park Service is hosting the second annual Marvin Schwilling Memorial Butterfly Count this coming June 26, 2010. This is a survey of many sites within Chase County including the Preserve, historical graveyards and Chase County State Fishing Lake.

I did this last year, and we saw many rare species of skippers and a large number of regal fritillaries. You do not need to be an expert to help, because knowledgeable experts will be on hand to help you identify anything you see.

For more information, see the PDF file attached to this link: http://www.nps.gov/tapr/upload/ButterflyEvent10PressRelease2010.pdf

April 17th is a busy day for GHF

Grassland Heritage Foundation will be helping Lawrence celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 17. The parade begins at 11:00 at the north end of town and continues down Massachusetts into South Park. If you want to walk with the GHF trailer and carry large cardboard regal fritillary butterflies on the parade route, we will meet at Buford Watson park (the train park) at 10:30. The Earth Day Festival continues in South Park from 11:30-4:00 pm. More information can be found at the city's website


Also, Frank Norman has scheduled another burn date for Snyder Prairie. Here is the latest from Frank:

Our next burn, weather permitting, is scheduled for Saturday, April 17th, at the eastern portion of Snyder Prairie. I am expecting that Ron and I will be mowing fire breaks for that land (Management Unit 2) prior to the burn on Saturday. We’ll meet along the Brandon’s driveway.

As most of you know, Snyder Prairie is about 15 miles north of Topeka on Hwy. 75. To get to the site, go east on 158th St at Mayetta and go 3 miles or so to U St., and then go east another 0.5 mile or so to the next drive way. Turn in (right) and park on the grass alongside the drive way. This is the Brandon’s who own the land north of Snyder Prairie. We will assemble there and proceed south into the property.

I’ll check the weather and confirm the above plans after April 11th. Then you can send me an email or call me to confirm your participation. Remember if weather is questionable, give me a call at the number below or email me Friday night or the morning of the burn.

Enjoy the weather—the redbuds are about to burst open.

Frank J. Norman
President, Norman Ecological Consulting
468 N. 1700 Road, Lawrence, KS 66049
785-691-9748

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT TO THE APRIL 6 BURN

Prairie Maintenance Workers Wanted -- You Can Help!

Our Groundhogs group, led by Frank Norman, continue to work on our own Snyder Prairie, Mayetta, Kansas, just north of Topeka. We generally meet the third Saturday of each month, but spring is our busiest time and extra days are planned. Saturday, March 20 will be our regularly scheduled day with preparation for the spring burn, including mowing fire breaks.

Burn dates are planned for March 27th and April 3rd at 9:30am, weather permitting. Since burning depends on weather conditions, you will need to let Frank know if you’re interested in participating and he will email and let those interested know whether the burn is on.

Remember, for any burn, you should wear natural fiber clothing, leather boots, gloves, long pants without frays, a hat, and water you can carry.

Contact Frank Norman at 785-691-9748 or fjnorman@sunflower.com to get on the contact list and be informed of work day activities.

Managing Your Virgin Tallgrass Prairie or Hay Meadow

Managing Your Virgin Tallgrass Prairie or Hay Meadow
March 24 7-9pm, Lawrence Public Library meeting room

The Grassland Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce this talk on prairie establishment and prairie management. GHF board member, Groundhogs coordinator, and president of Norman Ecological Consulting, Frank Norman will lead the presentation.

Learn the various methods required to manage your tallgrass prairie whether it is in good condition or being overrun by woody vegetation and sericea lespedeza. Topics to be addressed will include tree and shrub removal, herbiciding invasive plants, prescribed burning, and seeding. A handout will be provided that outlines the presentation and provides sources for prairie management publications, potential funding sources, and firms that supply prairie seeds and perform prairie management.