26th annual Prairie pothole day!
Prairie Pothole Day 2008 started cool and slow just like the weather but it will go into the record books as one of the best. Early guests started crashing the gates at 8AM looking for coffee and donuts to ward off the unseasonably cool morning chill. When the gates officially opened at 9AM a few more folks wandered in to look at vintage decoys, learn about wetland restoration, and climb the rock wall. By 10AM the Prairie Pothole Chapter members were nervously asking.. When will the crowd show up? By 11AM the clouds had parted to reveal a crystal blue sky and the temperature began to rise just like the number of folks descending the driveway into the barnyard.
After a slow start Prairie Pothole Day 2008 was off.. Kids were climbing the rock wall, adults were headed out to shooting,
everyone was milling around the barnyard learning about wetland conservation. And still they came down the driveway. At one
point it was nearly impossible to cross from the General Raffle tent to the Barn. And still they came down the driveway. They
purchased raffle tickets, became members of the Minnesota Waterfowl Association, and begged their parents to buy a puppy.
The day drew to a close a little early when it was clear that the guests had eaten Prairie Pothole Day out of house and home.. literally. By 3:30 in the afternoon
guests had consumed over 600 hamburgers, an equal number of hot dogs and bratwurst, finished off the pizza, and consumed just about every beverage on Stoney Ridge Farm.
And still they came down the driveway. They had also purchased just about every raffle ticket. So at 3:30 the committee began drawing for raffle prizes and announcing
the winners of the various games and the silent auction. An hour later everyone was slowly walking up the driveway having spent a great day learning about and
supporting wetland conservation. And how many had walked down the driveway in support of conservation.. 4013 (at least that's what the volunteers at the top of the hill
tell us).
Stoney Meadow Burn
Saturday, May 17th, dawned sunny and clear with minimal wind -- a perfect morning for a controlled prairie burn at Stoney Ridge Farm. Stoney Ridge is the site of Prairie Pothole Day, our chapter’s MWA fundraiser event. Native prairie plantings were carried out several years ago in the meadow where the shotgun events are held, and it was time for a burn to revitalize the native grasses and forbs. Prairie Pothole Chapter members, led by our president, Troy Heck, gathered in force at the venerable Hillcrest Cafe for breakfast and old stories. Then it was off to the Stoney Lake meadow, with drip torches, water bags, and long-handled swatters in tow. With LeRoy Dahlke, chapter member and DNR Area Wildlife Manager leading the way, torches were soon lit and applied next to mowed and plowed fire lanes. Soon the air was filled with smoke, and we were glad we’d notified the neighbors. Many of our members are old hands at managing these burns, and the results were deemed picture-perfect. Now, three weeks later, prairie plants are exploding from the blackened earth and solid green is the view from the ridge overlooking the Stoney Lake meadow. Our sincere thanks to the hard-working chapter members. We are all looking forward to hosting the 26th annual Prairie Pothole Day on September 6th. - By Roger Strand
2nd annual Prairie pothole chapter banquet
About 100 people attended Prairie Pothole Chapter's second annual banquet February 1st at the Kandi Entertainment Center in Willmar, which focused on raising money to support chapter educational events. The chapter's goals were twofold, first increase Chapter membership and second net at least $5000 for three chapter supported events: $1000 for Woodie Camp, $1500 for the annual youth shoot, and $2500 for the Chapter's annual habitat day.
In addition, Gary Leaf spokesman for the Sportsmen for Outdoors Amendment addressed the audience and described the dedicated funding amendment recently passed by the Minnesota Legislature. He also provided an interview with a local TV station and the West Central Tribune newspaper on behalf of the Sportsmen for Outdoors Amendment committee.
The social hour was a time of stories and games as guests shared last falls outdoor adventures and played plinko and clay pigeon toss. Following a buffet supper Brad Nylin, MWA Executive Director, addressed the banquet and updated members, new and old, about Association projects and activities. He finished by sharing the story of Levi Marcotte and how this 13 year old touched the Association and himself this past year. Tragedy killed in an ATV accident days before Woodie Camp Levi's spirit and enthusiasm for the outdoors was honored by the campers building wood duck houses emblazoned with the following - In Memory of Levi Marcotte - Woodie Camp - 2007. The article Legacies of Hope in the Spring issue of the Minnesota Waerfowler describes in detail how 2 people, one being Levi, impacted the association in 2007.
The evening wrapped up in true banquet fashion with guests winning raffles, outbidding each other for silent auction items, and in general having a good time. Once the dust settled, the broken clay pigeons were swept up, and raffle barrels put back into storage it was announced that the banquet was a success. New members had been added to the chapter and enough money had been raised to support educational activities.
Minnesota Habitat Conservation Topics
The mission of the Prairie Pothole Chapter is to enhance, protect and restore wetland habitat. Over the past 26 years public outreach and education has been an integral part of Chapter activities. Listed below are links to select topics from the Minnesota DNR that the Chapter feels are important to conservation efforts in and around the Willmar, Mn area.
