Introducing DALC's New Conservation Coordinator!
This week, we were delighted to welcome Hannah Stuart to the DALC team. Having just completed a Master's at UW-Madison's Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Hannah joins us as our Conservation Coordinator, a new position on our Land Team. Hannah brings a wealth of experience with conservation easements and will help us preserve so much more land in the Driftless. Read Hannah's bio here and join us in welcoming her to DALC!
Land Trust Days are Starting Soon
Sponsored by Gathering Waters, Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Trusts, this annual celebration calls attention to the work of land trusts and the value of land conservation. Check out the Land Trust Days website throughout July, August, and September to find opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, paddling, and much more. And, keep an eye out in the coming weeks for details on DALC's own Land Trust Days event, a land management tour at Spring Valley Tract on August 12th!
Evenings Afield: Grass-Fed Beef - from Grazing to Grocer Whether you are a producer or consumer of grass-fed beef, learn the "why and how" of raising, grazing, processing, and marketing grass-fed cows at the Cates Family Farm, recipient of a Leopold Conservation Award. Father-son team Dick and Eric Cates will lead the discussion. This event will be held Thursday, July 20, 6-8PM, at their farm in Spring Green. Registration is required. Can't make it in July? Don't worry - Evenings Afield is held every month! Check out the roster for the rest of the summer here.
Help us build the Driftless Trail this July We plan to open the 2.7-mile Knobs Road Segment of the Driftless Trail in late August, so we'll be working hard on finishing touches this summer. Our two July workdays will be the 7th and the 21st, both from 9am - 1pm. Trail building is both rewarding and fun, so please consider helping out. Register here for the 7th and here for the 21st so we can send you details.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our bi-weekly volunteer workdays continue at our beautiful ambassador properties. Get outside, make a difference, and enjoy the Driftless!
Saturdays at Spring Valley: 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Upcoming dates: 7/1, 7/16
Sundays at Sardeson: 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Upcoming dates: 7/2, 7/17
Wednesdays at the Wetland: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Upcoming dates: 7/5, 7/19
Find more details and let us know you're coming at our Volunteer page.
Notes From the Field Yesterday was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Although I love watching the sunset on the solstice, the night that follows is even more magical, because it's almost always the first time of the year that I see fireflies. Last night was no exception. Standing at the bottom of a Driftless valley, I watched with profound joy as flashes of green sparkled across the dark hills like a whole galaxy in motion. Firefly populations are declining in North America. But like so many species, the things they rely on - dark skies, clean water, native plants, connected habitats - are priorities for land conservationists. By volunteering, promoting sustainable farming, creating easements, spreading the word about land protection, and so much more, our community supports resilient ecosystems full of thriving native species. Thanks to your dedication and passion, I know that the shortest night of the year will always be bright with fireflies. Emilee Martell Development Associate emilee@driftlessconservancy.org
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