The unseasonably warm temperatures in Winter 2024 led to the early harvesting of sap, and members of Prairie Island Campground and the City of Winona have assisted area residents in producing their own maple syrup this season as part of the Sap to Syrup program. The campground’s silver maple trees were first tapped on January 27, 2024, (more than a month earlier than the typical season), and community members were invited to participate in sap collection and cooking firsthand.
The schedule for the remaining sugar season at Prairie Island is as follows:
- Collecting sap 4:30-5:30pm, Monday – Saturday, February 19-24, 2024
- Cooking sap ALL DAY Wednesday, February 21, 2024 & Sunday, February 25, 2024
- Pulling spiles/taps sometime the following week
All ages are invited to participate in many different ways. On Sunday, there will be traditionally gathered wild rice, Crooked Slough maple syrup, and hot drinks to share. So far, 270-gallons of sap has been collected, 4-½ gallons of syrup has been cooked, and more than 120 people have helped, observed, learned, and connected with other folks.
This project has been made possible through a partnership with the Boozhoo family, Prairie Island Campground / Front Porch Management, and the City of Winona.