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Protecting land, water, and wildlife is a benefit to all who live in and visit Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Every generation and community in our area will be more resilient with the clean water, fresh foods, education, recreation, and way of life that undeveloped natural spaces and farmlands provide. Sign up to receive Conservancy News and stay informed about land protection, environmental education, and outdoor recreation programs offered by Mississippi Valley Conservancy.

wetlands on newly protected land in Kickapoo Valley

Conservancy purchases 17 acres adjacent to Kickapoo Valley Reserve

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Mississippi Valley Conservancy closed on the purchase of a 17-acre property adjacent to the 8,600-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR) from a private landowner with funds provided by several partner organizations.
Mississippi Valley Conservancy interpretive center at Kickapoo Caverns

Mississippi Valley Conservancy Receives Grant 

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Mississippi Valley Conservancy announces that it has received a grant from the Crawford County Community Funds Fall 2022 Grant Cycle of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. to support…
prairie plant nursery

Conserved wildlife corridor expands in Crawford County

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Today, with their spouses, Ann Grunwald and Forrest Carlson, Mark and Leigh have each signed conservation agreements that protect a total of 109 contiguous acres.
poison hemlock photo by Bill Schuna

Poison Hemlock is a growing threat to landowners, farmers, outdoor enthusiasts, and native species

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Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a relatively rare invasive plant that is quickly expanding in various parts of Crawford County. The purpose of this article is to encourage landowners to…
Establishing permanent native cover on highly erodible land where row crops were previously grown at the Helgren & Radek property in Crawford County.

The Farm Bill: What will it do for conservation?

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At the first listening session by legislators seeking to renew the five-year farm bill, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn G.T. Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) stressed the importance of bipartisan action to gain…
Milky Way over Kickapoo Valley Reserve

Partners protecting dark skies for all

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It’s a delight to get away from city lights to enjoy the sights of planets, stars, and galaxies on clear, dark nights. Like old friends, the heavenly bodies above give…
Tunnelville Cliffs is a 1,270-acre nature preserve in Vernon County, just outside of La Farge. It is owned and managed by the Conservancy. The preserve was acquired in two transactions. The first 150 acres were purchased in 2005 and designated as a State Natural Area by the Wiscon- sin Department of Natural Resources in 2006. In 2009, a generous family who owned adjacent land donated an adjoining 1,118 acres creating the preserve that we know today as Tunnelville Cliffs.

Restoration for climate resilience at Tunnelville Cliffs

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As we witness species decline and anticipate the human population shift in this time of climate change, conserving precious habitats for the sake of wildlife, water, and recreation is more…
Fancy Creek Llama Farm in Richland County, Wisconsin

A Land Legacy is Created in Richland County

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Marilyn Houck's permanently protected land is the largest conservation agreement in Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s 25-year history.
coneflowers at Mathy Prairie

Biodiversity and the Driftless

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World leaders meeting in Canada recently took action that adds urgency to work that’s been part of the mission of La Crosse-based Mississippi Valley Conservancy since it was started 26…
reforested farmland

Monroe County couple conserves land, water, and scenic beauty

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After decades of tree farming and conservation forestry on their 66-acre property north of Sparta, Wisconsin, Jack Halbrehder and wife Carolyn have permanently protected their land through a conservation agreement…
grassland restores for climate and water protection

Couple restoring land to protect water and honor what was here before

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Mary Helgren and Rich Radek aim to restore and honor what was on their land in pre-settlement times. They have entered into a permanent conservation agreement with Mississippi Valley Conservancy.
managed burn for prairie restoration at Holland Sand Prairie

Fall burn season underway

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November 1st at New Amsterdam Grasslands. Keep away for safety.
solar combine with agriculture for climate protection

Solar energy and its place on the land

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A look at the appeal of “dual use” of land as well as the early adoption of solar energy by landowners who have conservation easements on their land with Mississippi…
conserved prairie an Onalaska's Greens Coulee Park

Onalaska Greenway expands with addition of Savanna Oaks tract

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LA CROSSE, WI – Another piece of the Onalaska Greenway is in place now that Mississippi Valley Conservancy has transferred title to the City on 51 acres of woods and…
Craford County Wisconsin conservation award

Roberts and Moore honored for wildlife conservation

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The Crawford County Land Conservation Committee recently recognized Dewey Moore and Shelley Roberts as landowners that take active roles in managing their properties in a way that greatly benefits all…