Public Open House at Busse Prairie Preserve

The community is invited to attend a public Open House at the 327-acre Jerry and Kathy Busse Prairie Preserve, 7329 W. St. Lawrence Ave., Beloit, WI on Wed., May 28, 2025. Guests may arrive anytime during the event hours, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., and should allow at least an hour to explore on their own.

The Busse Prairie Preserve was acquired by the Natural Land Institute (NLI) in September 2024 and is not open to the public, making this a rare opportunity for residents to visit and see the beauty and wildlife of this natural area.

NLI staff will be stationed around the preserve at key points to talk about what can be seen from there and share future plans for the preserve and the enhanced meadow view supported by a gift from Nancy Maze. Guests will see grassland and wetland habitats, several small ponds, Lake AJ, The Vanderpoel Family Bur Oak Grove, and will walk along the Stephen and Dorothy Baits Trail, all under the big open sky. If visible, they might see a Bald Eagle’s nest in the distance (depending on the leaves of the tree). If the juvenile has fledged, they might see it flying around the preserve. Other possible sights include a Sandhill Crane nest (in the distance), an Osprey diving to catch a fish in Lake AJ, a Henslow’s Sparrow, Meadowlarks, Bobolinks and many other birds.

Dress for the weather and wear waterproof footwear due to wet trails. Mostly flat, easy to moderate hiking level. Refreshments will be provided.

Please register for this free event by noon on May 28, 2025. Register at https://www.naturalland.org/…/public-open-house-busse…/ or call 815/964-6666.