I wanted to announce our first trip to look for lichens in 2009. It
will be held over the weekend of March 28 (Saturday) & 29 (Sunday)
2009.

Location is Chiwaukee Prairie in Kenosha County, WISCONSIN.

Kenosha County. T1N-R23E, Sections 7, 8, 17-20, 29-32. 410 acres.

From the Wisconsin DNR: "The natural area features a mosaic of plant
communities, ranging from southern sedge meadow, wet prairie, and wet-
mesic prairie in the low areas, to dry-mesic prairie on the slightly
elevated sandy ridges. Portions of the site are classified as
calcareous fen, inhabited by calcium-loving plants. Oak opening
dominated by bur and black oaks occupies higher, drier ground along
the southern and western parts of the preserve. "

"The northernmost portion, Kenosha Dunes, contains open and
stabilized sand dunes."

I won't be able to visit the prairie beforehand, so I am not sure
what we will find. I usually don't have much luck with lichens in
prairie habitat, but the Oak trees and Kenosha Dunes portion sounds a
bit more promising. I am hoping the flora will be similar to the
lichens I recently reported from nearby Illinois Beach State Park (86
species including the very rare Cetraria arenaria. We'll see.

If you are interested in joining us please let me know ASAP! So as
not to fill up everyone's mail-box with "not able to attend"
responses, please only respond if you ARE going to attend this event.

A snow/rain date is scheduled for April 18-19.


The starting time is 10:00 am and will end around 3:00 pm. each day.

You will have to find a hotel/motel/campground if you'd like to stay
for both days.

Bring a snack and water, notebook and hand lens and DRESS FOR THE
WEATHER!

More information, including directions, at www.chiwaukee.org


Following the trip a species list will be posted.