Friends of Prairie Newsletter – February / March 2010

On February 16, 2010 the Friends of the Prairie River held their annual meeting.  Also in attendance were the DNR biologist and fishery technician out of the Antigo office to discuss upcoming events and issues concerning the Prairie River.

Special Regulations
The DNR biologist gave a presentation on the former special regulations section showing a before and after regarding fish population and sizes.  In summary, it appears they were working as designed.  The full presentation can be see here: Prairie Regulations. Did they work?

The area will continue to be monitored by the DNR for future evaluation.

Account Balance
Our current account balance is ~$2000.  If you or someone you know would be interested in donating funds to the Friends of the Prairie for future stream improvement work/brushing projects/newsletter mailings or our annual spring clean up it would be very much appreciated.  Donations can be sent to our treasurer: Randy Frokjer - 200 N. Center Ave. - Merrill, WI 54452

Stream Improvement Projects
A project will be taking place this year on the Prairie on a piece of property that the DNR recently acquired.  The local T.U. chapter (WI River Valley T.U.) will be donating a majority of funds for the project.   Friends of Prairie will be donating $1800 to the project. A majority of that money was raised in 2007 at the conclave that was held here.  Thanks to all that attended and to those that donated to the event.

Mark Your Calendars  - 2010 Projects, Banquests & Activities
Weather permitting, the following dates will be tentatively scheduled for more brushing projects on the Prairie.  One of the DNR representatives at the meeting stated there is an area that needs to be brushed on the North Branch.

• March 13th
• March 27^th
• April 10^th

 Workdays begin around 8am and end around noon. They are performed on either spring feeders or very overgrown sections of the river. The brushing projects will be done when favorable weather conditions are present. Gloves, a handsaw/chainsaw, eye protection and waders are recommended. If you do not have these items you can still help during these projects by tossing brush onto the bank while other members cut.  Newsletters will not be sent out for these projects.  Contact and scheduling will be via e-mail only. I will send e-mails a day or two before the scheduled project explaining where to meet. If you would like to receive info on these projects make sure to contact me at joekrz@verizon.net so I can add you to the Friends of the Prairie River contact list. 

• March 27^th - Northwoods T.U.  Banquet at Holiday Acres Resort in Rhinelander.  Contact Brian at 715-482-2898 for tickets and details.

• April 10^th - The Wisconsin River Valley T.U.  Banquet will be held at Memories Ballroom near Wausau.  The annual T.U. conservation banquet provides the funds needed to do the work of the chapter for cold-water restoration, education and conservation.  They are also looking for donations of flies, tackle, trips, gently used items and good ideas as how to improve the event.  If you would like to help out, contact John Meachen at 4js@charter.net or at (715) 675-4920. See http://www.wrvtu.org/calendar/calendar.htm for more details.

• April 17th - Friends of the Prairie River Annual Spring Clean Up.  Meet at Hay Meadow County Park (north of Merrill on Hwy. 17) at 8:30 am.  Brats, burgers and beverages will be served around noon when we are complete.

E-mail – If you are not getting e-mail notices from the Friends of the Prairie River, send me your address at joekrz@verizon.net, so I can add you to our list.

The Friends of the Prairie River organization was formed in January 1998 to help maintain its cold, clean waters and esthetic beauty and to benefit Prairie River trout populations and habitat. The Friends of the Prairie represent those who use the river for recreational purposes, those who live near its banks and all citizens interested in the preservation of the river as a natural resource. The Friends of the Prairie primary purposes are to promote the continued improvement of water quality in the river and to maintain and restore existing habitat and wildlife in the river.