Trail Trek Challenge is a free year-round hike/walk program on the nature preserves you've helped protect in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. Challenge yourself to hike at least five of the 19 designated trails to discover nature's treasures and learn what makes these places so valuable for everyone who lives, works, and plays here.

COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE AND WE WILL SEND YOU A WATER BOTTLE STICKER to commemorate your accomplishment! Add the kids' names to your Trail Guide, and we will send one for each of the kids, too!

When you sign up, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to your downloadable Trail Guide & Hike Log with hike descriptions and a place to record your hikes throughout the year. Downloadable trail maps, an interactive map, and driving directions to each hike location are available from the Nature Preserves section of our website. 

Registration kicks off at Earth Fair on April 27, 2025 with a guided marsh hike at Myrick part at 11am, and you can register at any time throughout the year.

Thank you to our sponsors, whose support helps us

• Protect trees, prairies, and clean water for plants, animals and YOU!
• Teach the value of nature through outdoor recreation and land restoration projects.
• Clear trails and provide free places for people to hike on over 7,000 acres in 9 counties.
• Inspire community members to unplug and spend more time outdoors.

2025-2026 Trail Trek Challenge Sponsors: J.F. Brennan Company, Organic Valley, Emplify Health at Gundersen,
Mayo Clinic Health System, Trust Point, People’s Food Cooperative, Altra Financial Advisors, Explore La Crosse, News 8 Now, 
Powered Printing-A Service of Dairyland Power Cooperative

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Families, nature lovers, and stargazers are invited to a special evening of discovery and connection with nature at the popular Gardens and Gazing event hosted by Mississippi Valley Conservancy, in partnership with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) and the La Crosse Area Astronomical Society.

Taking place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., this free event offers a rare opportunity to explore the serene gardens and protected farmland and woods at FSPA land, where food is grown for the sisters and the community. This Linked to the Land event is provided at no cost thanks to the support of Olson Solar Energy and WXOW News 19.

The evening begins with a walking tour of their beautiful gardens, led by FSPA guides, who will share the inspiring story of how the sisters care for the land and grow food that supports local communities, and how their green burial sites are providing a more natural approach at the end of life. Visitors will also learn about the long-standing stewardship values behind this 200-acre property, which the Franciscan Sisters purchased in 1895 and have protected ever since. 

In addition to the garden tour, a guided hike will lead guests along a scenic woodland trail to a ridgetop with sweeping views of the Driftless Area’s bluffs and valleys—just in time for sunset. As night falls, members of the La Crosse Area Astronomical Society will provide telescopes and expertise for viewing the stars and constellations in the late summer sky.

Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds prior to the event starting at 5:30. To round out the evening, guests can enjoy light refreshments and snacks as they prepare to enjoy the night sky.

Advance registration is required by September 17. Details, directions, and registration for this FREE event are on the Events page at MississippiValleyConservancy.org/events. It will be held at FSPA Land, St. Joseph Ridge, W2658 State Hwy 33 Trunk, La Crosse, WI.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with the land, the sky, and a community that values both.

With questions, contact Karen Solverson at [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8.
 

Sign-up at the bottom of this page prior to September 17 so we can plan for the event.

Proposed timeline:

5:00             Arrive, park, and gather at Quonset hut

5:30 - 5:45 Refreshments, and introduction to MVC & FSPA 

5:45 – 6:45, then 6:45 – 7:45

            Two one-hour station options for tours – people can pick one or do both

STATION 1: Garden/grounds tour and FSPA land history and natural burial cemetery 

STATION 2: Hike and habitat tour

6:30-7:45            Free time to relax and get situated for stargazing, enjoy cookies, lemonade, ice water, and some salty snacks in the Quonset hut

7:09                    Sunset

7:45 – 9pm         Stargazing with help from La Crosse Astronomical Society

(PHOTO: Participant enjoy the ridgetop view on a prior Gardens and Gazing hike. Photo by Karen Solverson.)

Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy on Saturday, September 20, 2025 for a day of habitat restoration and brush removal at the Conservancy’s Cardinal Bluff nature preserve. From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers and Conservancy staff will work to restore this important home for wildlife and prepare for upcoming prescribed burns.

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Join us in caring for this priceless preserve!   

DETAILS:

Saturday, September 20
Prairie Restoration
Cardinal Bluff, near DeSoto (Crawford County) (Online map)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/F63Ri33pBV or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information two days before the activity date. 

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.

Interested in learning more about the use of fire to control invasives? Learn from our experts when you join our work party on Tuesday, September 23rd at Tunnelville Cliffs near La Farge as we prepare for the burn season. No experience is needed. Just dress with sturdy shoes and long pants, bring a water bottle, and join us with a can-do attitude! We will teach you what you need to know.

Each Conservancy Nature Preserve has beautiful views, native wildlife, and something unique to offer. Come along to discover a new passion for conserving the Driftless, and bring a friend. We will teach you everything you need to know. Just bring an adventurous spirit, a water bottle, long pants, and a desire to make a difference!

Tuesday, September 23
Prescribed Fire Preparation
Tunnelville Cliffs - La Farge, Vernon County
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

PLEASE NOTE: These properties have some challenging grades, but rewarding views!
 

Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/F63Ri33pBV or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information two days before the activity date. 

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.

REGISTER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Join other outdoor enthusiasts on Friday, October 10, from 1:00–4:30 p.m. at the Kaplan Tract in La Crosse’s Blufflands for a hands-on afternoon of Leave No Trace training combined with invasive shrub removal. This scenic La Crosse nature preserve provides the perfect backdrop for this unique event, blending practical stewardship with outdoor ethics, giving you the tools to enjoy and protect natural spaces while making an immediate impact on the land. As part of the celebration of the La Crosse Adventure Film Festival week, this event gives community members an opportunity to get outside, learning and working together to make a difference locally.

This program is co-hosted by WisCorps and Mississippi Valley Conservancy. The work party will be led by the Conservancy’s Restoration Coordinator, Payton Lott, who will guide volunteers in removing invasive shrubs to restore habitat for native plants and wildlife.

Co-hosted by WisCorps, a nonprofit dedicated to engaging the next generation of environmental leaders, the event reflects both organizations' missions to support conservation and land stewardship while creating pathways into environmental and community careers. With the guidance of Kristy Brown, a Level 2 Certified Leave No Trace Principles instructor, participants will learn the seven principles of Leave No Trace through discussion, activities and hands-on work as everyone works together to create a better space for wildlife and community members at this nature preserve.

Registration is required for this free event (see below).

The weather may be unpredictable, so wear appropriate layers for working outside. To protect from itchy or prickly plants, we recommend long pants and sturdy shoes. The Conservancy will provide protective gear, snacks, and drinking water, but come prepared with your own water bottle and bug spray.

As Community Partners with Leave No Trace and collaborators in the La Crosse Adventure Film Festival, we celebrate the connection between conservation and adventure—making the outdoors accessible, protecting habitats for native species, and supporting sustainable land management.

To learn more about WisCorps and all of the opportunities they offer for working outdoors for the benefit of our community, visit WisCorps, and to learn about more events happening during the La Crosse Adventure Film Festival, visit La Crosse AF.

REGISTER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!

We hope you will join us for our Prairie Stargazing Walk at Tunnelville Cliffs in Vernon County on Saturday, October 11th at 7 p.m. This year’s guided walk offers a chance to explore the autumn sky—planets, stars, and distant galaxies—while also tuning in to the sounds of nighttime life on the prairie. The walk is part of Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s 2025 Linked to the Land outdoor learning series, sponsored by Olson Solar Energy with support from WXOW / News 19.

Leading the way will be Susan Cushing and John Heasley. Susan is a Master Naturalist, experienced Environmental Educator with Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and Secretary of the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative. She will lead a discussion about the prairie at Tunnelville and share updates about preserving the night. John is the founder of Driftless Stargazing and will guide participants in observing the night sky with tips for how to find things with the naked eye or a simple pair of binoculars.  

The meet-up for this event is at the corner of Husker Hollow Road and Tunnelville Road, just a couple of miles west of La Farge. ANY UPDATES OR CANCELATIONS WILL SENT BY EMAIL THE DAY BEFORE OR OF THE EVENT. I am attaching the map, but see below where the red arrow is located at Point of Interest 1...that is where we will meet.

DIRECTIONS: From La Crosse take 14/61 east to Westby, in Westby turn left onto 27 for .5 miles then turn right onto Cty Rd P. Follow P until you reach County Rd D (take a right onto D). Follow D until you reach 82 and turn right on 82, take your first left onto Husker Hollow Rd and follow until you reach Tunnelville Rd.  

Below you will find details about the upcoming event so you can plan your evening. If you sign up and then are unable to attend, please send an email to let me know. If there is inclement weather, please watch your email the day before the event and before you leave for the event for any notice of cancellation.

PRAIRIE STARGAZING WALK DETAILS:

6:45    Arrive at Tunnelville, park all on one side of the road, and join us at the entrance

7:00    Introduction to Mississippi Valley Conservancy

7:10   Split into two groups, half start with a prairie walk and talk with Susan Cushing, and half start with stargazing and discussion about the Dark Skies Initiative with John Heasley

8:00    Swap groups

9:00    Program ends...participants are welcome to stay and enjoy the night sky, however camping is not allowed at Tunnelville

Things for guests to bring (all optional):

• Blanket

• Binoculars (we will bring some extras along, too)

• Bug spray

Other:

There are no restrooms on site. Please plan to stop for your bathroom needs prior to the event.

We look forward to an evening of coming together to celebrate the beauty of this protected property and the night skies. Even if it is cloudy, it will be a beautiful and informative hike!

The Prairie Stargazing Walk is part of the Conservancy’s 2025 Linked to the Land series of outdoor learning experiences in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, sponsored by Olson Solar Energy with support from WXOW/ News 19.

(Starry evening skies at Tunnelville captured by John Rummel)

Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy on Saturday, October 18th for a morning of seed collection at the Conservancy’s New Amsterdam Grasslands. From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers and Conservancy staff will work to collect seeds that will be used at our other nature preserves to restore these critical wildlife habitats.

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Join us in preparation for planting the seeds of the future at this unique nature preserve.   

DETAILS:

Saturday, October 18
Prairie Seed Collection
New Amsterdam Grasslands - New Amsterdam, La Crosse County
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/F63Ri33pBV or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information two days before the activity date. 

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.

Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 for a day of habitat restoration and brush removal at the Conservancy’s Plum Creek Conservation Area nature preserve. From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers and Conservancy staff will work to restore this important home for wildlife and prepare for upcoming prescribed burns.

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Join us in caring for this priceless preserve!   

DETAILS:

Tuesday, October 28
Savanna Restoration
Plum Creek Conservation Area (Crawford County)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/F63Ri33pBV or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information two days before the activity date. 

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.

Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy and our partners on November 6, 2025 for a day of habitat restoration and brush removal at the Conservancy’s newest nature preserve, Wandering Rock State Natural Area, located just south of the Village of Nelson in Buffalo County. From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., volunteers, Conservancy staff, and partners will work to improve wildlife habitat quality, access for public recreation, and prepare for upcoming prescribed burns.

As a reward for our efforts, we will get excellent views of the property’s scenic bluffs and cliffs, which rise high above the surrounding Mississippi River valley. All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Join us in caring for this remarkable new preserve!   

DETAILS:

Thursday, November 6
Native Habitat Restoration
Wandering Rock State Natural Area near Nelson, WI (Buffalo County)
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/F63Ri33pBV or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information two days before the activity date. 

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.

Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy on Saturday, September 20, 2025 for a day of habitat restoration and brush removal at the Conservancy’s Boscobel Bluffs nature preserve. From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers and Conservancy staff will work to restore this important home for wildlife and prepare for upcoming prescribed burns.

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Join us in caring for this priceless preserve!   

DETAILS:

Saturday, November 15
Prairie Restoration
Boscobel Bluffs, Grant County
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/F63Ri33pBV or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information two days before the activity date. 

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.

Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy on Saturday, December 20, 2025 for a day of habitat restoration and brush removal at the Conservancy’s Kickapoo Bottoms nature preserve. From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers and Conservancy staff will work to restore this important home for wildlife and prepare for upcoming prescribed burns.

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Join us in caring for this priceless preserve!   

DETAILS:

Saturday, December 20
Prairie Restoration
Kickapoo Bottoms - Gays Mills, Crawford County
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/F63Ri33pBV or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information two days before the activity date. 

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.