Prairie Wagon Tour

Prairie Wagon Tour with Ken Keilsmeier

Saturday, September 13, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

On September 13, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until about 12:00  p.m., Wild Ones Rock River Valley member Ken Keilsmeier will take us on a wagon tour of the prairie restoration he and Mike Long, the property owner, began in 2003. Located in Leaf River, Illinois, just west of Byron, this prairie was originally an eight-acre corn/bean/pasture area when the restoration began; it is now recognized in the Conservation Reserve Program. Ken and Mike have planted native tall grasses and forbs and installed firebreaks that also double as walking and riding trails. The property also has three acres of trees, including some original bur oak and hickory, as well as viburnums, dogwoods, wild plums, sassafras, and American sycamore that grow along a large waterway. The restoration has attracted a range of wildlife, including many beneficial pollinators.

Ken will give us a bench seat wagon tour of the prairie, which is the best way to see it at this time of year. This is a great opportunity to see some of the fall butterflies and moths, which will be the subject of our September 18^th Wild Ones program featuring Alan Branhagan of Natural Land Institute, who will be speaking on Lepidoptera.

Dress appropriately and bring a hat, sunglasses, water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent. We’ll have lots of opportunities to take pictures so bring your mobile phone and/or camera.

Please park at the farmhouse where we will board the wagon for the tour.