Visit Our Nature Preserves
Driftless Diversity
Every trail in our preserves tells a story. Wetlands shimmer with the songs of frogs, reminding us that life thrives where water is protected. Oak savannas offer dappled sunlight and cooling shade in one of the world’s most botanically diverse, yet imperiled natural communities. Some prairies showcase waves of golden grass where iconic birds nest, while others make us marvel that even cacti can find a home in Wisconsin. These places tell us new stories every time we venture in, wandering, pausing, and breathing in nature’s glories.
But these stories and experiences depend on us. Without action, the voices of frogs may fade, and grassland birds will continue to decline. Oak savannas and prairies will only remain open if neighbors come together to clear brush and invite good fire.
Here, restoration is more than science. It is shared care. Each acre brought back to life becomes a refuge for wildlife and a gathering place for families, friends, communities, and future generations.
Whether you are discovering the Driftless for the first time or returning to a landscape that feels like home, our preserves are waiting for you. Settle into the stillness, share a walk with friends, or simply listen to the land and its creatures. This is our shared legacy.
The Driftless belongs to all of us. Let’s safeguard it now.
Explore Our Nature Preserves
Volunteer with Us!
Join us for monthly workdays to steward our beautiful nature preserves and trail systems. New volunteers are always welcome – no experience necessary!
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...
Possibility
In early August, 2024 we welcomed a brand-new Nature Preserve: Dragon Woods! This beautiful oak woodland in New Glarus is a cooperative project of DALC and the BadgerLand Foundation, which jointly co-manage the nearby Wild Oaks Preserve. We are grateful to the...
It Takes a Village, to Care for Land
Sometimes it’s easy to imagine that the best parts of nature are far away, hidden on high mountaintops or secret valleys, only reachable after a trek and a scramble. But our favorite wild places are often right in our own backyards – and having nature so close to us...







