September 2024 Volunteer for the Wild!
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.
In September, we have scheduled four separate volunteer events happening at Kickapoo Caverns, Sugar Creek Bluff SNA, and La Crosse Blufflands (Kaplan tract). Join us outside and enjoy the beautiful summer weather as you make a direct impact on important local habitat at these protected properties.
SIGN UP: https://forms.office.com/r/r73f4LYFXn
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Thursday, September 5
Shrub Removal @ Cassville Bluffs
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join us to fight invasive shrubs at Cassville Bluffs! This site hosts unique chinkapin oak woodlands threatened by invasive buckthorn, honeysuckle, and prickly ash. Volunteers will hike through the woodlands, then remove non-native shrubs.
Saturday, September 14
Invasive Shrub Removal @ La Crosse Blufflands Kaplan Tract
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Help restore a beautiful oak savanna over looking the city of La Crosse. Join us to finish our ongoing brush removal project alongside a large group of passionate volunteers.
Saturday, September 21
Seed Collection and Invasive Removal at New Amsterdam Grasslands
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join Conservancy Staff and UWL students for a day of seed collection and invasive removal at the incredible New Amsterdam Grasslands. This site is an important remnant of the historic Mississippi River floodplain prairies. Come experience conservation in action.
Tuesday, September 24
Invasive Brush Removal @ Tunnelville Cliffs
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join volunteers to remove brush around the spectacular and scenic Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area.This site is home to many rare species and excellent wildlife habitat.
Contact Payton by email with questions or to sign up. He'll send out final information a day or two before the activity date.
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Why is this work important?
Invasives like sweet clover, wild parsnip, garlic mustard and crown vetch are a threat to the biodiversity (the variety of life on Earth and in a habitat) of many native ecosystems.
Invasives gain a foothold in fields and forests by emerging earlier than many native plants. By the time native species are ready to grow, plants like garlic mustard have blocked their sunlight and outcompeted them for moisture and vital nutrients.
This advantage is only strengthened as climate change continues to alter seasons faster than native plants can adapt. Invasive species that crowd out forest ecosystems inhibit trees from growing.
Because the understory of a forest is so important for insects and other species at the bottom of the food chain, invaders like sweet clover, garlic mustard and crown vetch can weaken the entire ecosystem. Further, garlic mustard’s roots release chemicals that alter the important underground network of fungi that connect nutrients between native plants, inhibiting the growth of important species like trees. Creating fire breaks prepare the forest for a burn over the winter months. These fires clear the way for natures to emerge and thrive.
Fortunately for us, we have options to rid ourselves of these pests.
What you will do: Volunteers will work with our team of land managers to remove brush and create fire breaks in preparation for future burns at the site. Burns help remove detritus, brush and invasives in order to help natives thrive.
Learning Opportunities:
As a bonus to knowing you are making a difference by improving habitat, you can also learn to identify and eradicate invasive species. Let us know if you are interested in learning more about habitat management techniques, prescribed burn planning, and equipment operation and we will help you learn the skills you will need to make a difference on other tracts of property.
The more time you spend on the nature preserves, the more opportunities you have to learn to identify native plants and witness the beauty of the habitats you are helping to protect.
Sign up at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/r73f4LYFXn or contact Payton by email with questions. He'll send out final information a day or two before the activity date.