Conservation Easement News
Earlier this month, we closed on a conservation easement on a wonderful parcel in Green County! This 82-acre property has been lovingly restored by its owners, Chuck Bauer and Chuck Beckwith, and features a variety of native ecosystems. We highlighted this land and its caretakers in our winter-spring newsletter, on pages 4-5. We're so delighted to partner with dedicated landowners like Chuck and Chuck - be sure to check out their story!
Transmission Line Update
We are disappointed to share that Judge Frost decided in favor of the project developers on our appeal of the Public Service Commission’s 2019 approval of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. DALC, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, and the Environmental Law & Policy Center have released statements in response to this ruling. You can read them here. We're considering next steps and still waiting to hear from the U.S. Court of Appeals. For now, the federal ruling that the line cannot cross the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge still stands. Thank you so much for your support in this ongoing effort!
Help us build the Driftless Trail on June 16th 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 first workday to complete a new piece of that trail will be on Friday, June 16 from 9am - 1pm. Trail building is both rewarding and fun, so please consider helping out. Register here so we can send you details.
Evenings Afield: Restoring Your Woods and Prairie - Where to Begin If you manage land in the Driftless and want to restore your woods, savanna, or prairie, this Evenings Afield session will serve as a valuable guide. Mike Degen and Aaron Wunnicke will walk us through the process of assessing what you have, setting long-term goals, identifying your challenges and opportunities, and finding resources. This event will be held Thursday, June 8, 6-8PM, at Phoebe Point Trail at Taliesin. Registration is required. Can't make it in June? Don't worry - Evenings Afield is held every month! Check out the roster for the rest of the summer here.
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: 6/3, 6/17
Sundays at Sardeson: 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Upcoming dates: 6/4, 6/18
Wednesdays at the Wetland: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Upcoming dates: 6/7, 6/21
Find more details and let us know you're coming at our Volunteer page.
Notes From the Field The garden needs planting, the sidewalk needs weeding, the garlic mustard needs pulling. Students are graduating, vacations are starting, summer cabins are being opened up. May is manic! And yet our DALC community has made time for the Driftless. You've hiked the Driftless Trail, attended the first night of Evenings Afield, volunteered to restore native habitat, and given gifts to our Spring Appeal. Thank you so much for making us a part of your whirlwind spring. With summer just around the corner, we can't wait to see you out in the Driftless even more! Emilee Martell Development Associate emilee@driftlessconservancy.org
Comments