Mississippi Valley Conservancy is a regional, non-profit land trust based in La Crosse that has permanently conserved more than 14,000 acres of blufflands, prairies, wetlands, and streams in southwestern Wisconsin since its founding in 1997.
MVC works with private landowners and local communities on voluntary conservation projects in nine counties along or near the Mississippi River: Buffalo, Trempealeau, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Crawford, Richland and Grant Counties.
The Conservancy uses voluntary tools such as conservation easements, land acquisitions, and a landowner registry program to protect lands for their ecology, scenic beauty, outdoor recreation potential, and prime agricultural soils. MVC works hard to restore native natural communities by removing invasive species and conducting prescribed burns. Additionally, the Conservancy provides hand-on learning experiences in the outdoors for thousands of young people and works to foster a conservation ethic.
MVC has been recognized for its conservation leadership through these achievement awards:
- Land Trust of the Year—WI 2008
- Conservation Organization of the Year—La Crosse County 2008
- Wildlife Habitat Improvement Award—Crawford Co. 2009
- Friend of Conservation—Outstanding Organization—WI
MVC works cooperatively with individuals, businesses, conservation groups, local units of government and state and federal agencies to protect the most precious places on our landscape. More than a million visitors each year enjoy the scenic beauty of MVC nature preserves.
You have the power to make a real difference in protecting the natural environment--right in your backyard! Support our conservation projects with a gift today! Click the Donate Now button to the right. You will see the tangible results of your support, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have done something that will have a lasting, positive impact on countless future generations!
"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."
-Aldo Leopold