Field trip for Silent Auction winner

This year at the Prairie Enthusiasts annual meeting in February Kathie and I donated to the Silent Auction a "free" field trip . As it happened, Jack Kussmaul, President of TPE, won the prize and yesterday he claimed it. He set this up so that the trip was part of a day-long event for a group of his friends.

Kathie and I were delighted to lead this trip, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The group got the full treatment, from the Valley Prairie, through the Pocket Prairie, White Oak Savanna, Ridge top savanna, and then downhill through the south slope and back to the beginning, where juice and cookies were served.

Following the Diagonal Trail across the south slope. Typical open-grown bur oaks above.

Among other things, we had a chance to discuss conservation easements and how they can be handled for the benefit of both the landowner and TPE.