News & Updates
All Kinds of Beautiful Things
The story of Big Rock is one of deep connection to the Driftless Area, extraordinary native plant communities, and decades of dedicated stewardship that ensured this remarkable landscape would be protected forever.
Weaving a Legacy – Patrick Michaels
Patrick Michaels may not have grown up in the Driftless Area, but he's weaving a legacy into its landscape that will endure for generations. It all started when Patrick met his great-uncle Gary Zimmer. Inspired by Gary's innovative agricultural practices, Patrick decided to leave the bustling city of Los Angeles and move to the serene Hoyer Farm...
Chuck’s Send Off
This farm boy from southeast Wisconsin grew up surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Kettle Moraine landscape. That viewshed, along with the ubiquitous rounded fieldstones and smooth, “polished” gravel, is unmistakable evidence of the tremendous power of the glaciers that shaped that land. To me, this was the Wisconsin countryside. But...
Emilee’s Send Off
Is there any month that changes our Midwest landscapes as dramatically as May? When I look at photos I took just four weeks ago, the trees were still bare and the understory plants were just tiny sprouts. Today, leaves are rustling in the wind, the grass is knee-high, flowers bloom everywhere, and the whole world is green and lush. It feels...
Build Deeper Connections with Nature this Earth Month
Shinrin-yoku, the practice translated as Forest Bathing, is an activity that invites us to slow down and really connect with nature, the experience that connects us all. It became popular in Japan in the 1980’s during the technology boom. With people working in buildings and cities, the Japanese noticed that people were not healthy and becoming...
Energized and Rejuvinated: Ellyn Satter
Ellyn Satter was DALC’s first-ever Legacy Society member, kicking off a special group of supporters who include DALC in their will or estate plans. We are deeply honored by every individual who chooses to entrust DALC with their legacy. Your trust is not just a responsibility but a privilege we cherish wholeheartedly. Every story, every dream,...
Driftless Area Land Conservancy: A 25-Year Story
Once upon a time, in the picturesque Driftless Area, a vision was born—a vision to protect and preserve the unique landscapes and ecosystems of this treasured region. It all began in the year 2000, when a group of dedicated individuals gathered at Jordahl Farm in Richland County. Their discussions planted the seeds for what would become the...
In the Business of Forever
“How are you doing… with all this… you know… everything, government, stuff like that?” This is a question I get a lot these days - my friends and colleagues are checking in with me, and with DALC. Since he took office just two months ago, President Trump has issued an unprecedented number of executive orders and administrative actions that touch...