Events Calendar
Learn, hike and volunteer with the Conservancy
Want to learn to identify native and invasive plants, manage your own property, or just feel good about helping make a difference for local wildlife and community members? Looking for ways to join like-minded folks to learn more about the world we live in?
Join us for an upcoming Linked to the Land educational event or a Volunteer for the Wild work party to expand your horizons and gain a sense of satisfaction for helping wildlife in your community.
View the 2026 Linked to the Land AND Volunteer for the Wild schedule.
Read more about the options below. Sign-up available online a few months prior to each event.
Events
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 26, 2026 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.
2026-2025 Sponsors:
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Curious about bat conservation above the ground and away from caverns? Join the Land Management team at Kickapoo Caverns nature preserve on Saturday, July 18th for a community work party celebrating bat conservation at this special nature preserve. We will enjoy refreshments, talk about the Conservancy's bat conservation projects, and remove invasive brush hindering bat habitat. Bring along your friends and family to learn about how bats, dead trees, prescribed fire, and leaf litter all impact the survival of bats in the Driftless Area. Explore the woods in search of unique woodland plants and state listed bird species as you work, as well! (We will not be going into the cave on this work day.)
SIGN UP
Carpooling is available from our office in La Crosse (with advance notification) – or you can meet us at the property. Please contact me if you'd like to carpool at 608-784-3606 ext.6.
Can't make it? Consider making a DONATION to the Conservancy's land management efforts! Whether it be money, tools, equipment, or FOOD for the volunteer day, YOU can help us to save and care for the land and wildlife!
Please sign up ahead of time so that we can be sure to bring enough equipment for everyone!
Hope to see you out there!
Join property owner and Conservancy board member Tom Lukens for a tour of Nature Nooks Retreat and see what 23 years of adhering to their mission statement of: “To protect and enhance biodiversity and carrying capacity and create a means of sharing a sense of awe, connection and caring” looks like.
On these 87 diverse acres with a mile of the Kickapoo West Fork running through them, you’ll walk several acres of peak prairie bloom and discuss establishment protocols. You’ll see keystone native tree and shrub plantings and discuss selection criteria as inspired by Douglas Tallamy’s “Plant Natives for Biodiversity.” The walk will include wetlands, a beaver dam analog and other low-tech efforts used to add habitat by slowing and making more complex spring-fed surface water flow. There will even be a new predator-protection turtle nesting box discussion following this new installation.
The tour includes 1.5 miles of low-gradient mowed trails along the West Fork. Trout stream habitat restoration beginning in 2003 has included non-game habitat work with riparian corridor considerations for other species, such as turtles and snakes.
Participants should register by July 20th for this free event, and are encouraged to arrive as early as 5:00 pm for conversation and a cold beverage on the deck of Kinship Place before the event begins. The address: S4878 County Rd. S, Viroqua, WI 54665.
Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 6-8 p.m.
Event Details:
• Free program; registration required at MississippiValleyConservancy.org
• Participation limited to 20 people
• Specific directions will be sent after registration
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes or boots; hat and sunscreen recommended
• No dogs, please
• Walking route will follow mowed lanes and short vegetation over mostly level but occasionally uneven terrain; plan to walk up to 1 mile while visiting flower patches
SIGN UP
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by July 25th on the events page. Questions? Contact Karen Solverson at karen@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8.
This event is part of the Conservancy’s 2026 “Linked to the Land” series of outdoor experiences on the many nature preserves it protects for wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, outdoor learning and recreation in the Driftless Area. The program is supported by the generous donations of our members and the in-kind support of WXOW News19.
Knotweed?! More like 'not-in-my-house-weed!'
Listed as one of the top 100 worst invasives on the planet, Japanese knotweed must not be tolerated on our most precious Plum Creek nature preserve. Bag 'em and tag 'em while learning how to forage for the invasive known for its popular lemony rhubarb flavor.
All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and sometimes steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!
Work difficulty rating: MODERATE DIFFICULTY
Terrain difficulty rating: ROLLING TERRAIN
Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email payton@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.
SIGN UP
Discover the fascinating world of Wisconsin’s native bumble bees during this guided field experience led by Steve and Susan Carpenter on their protected Driftless Area property. Wisconsin is home to 20 species of bumble bees, including the federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee. Participants will learn about bumble bee life history, conservation needs, and field identification while exploring blooming summer flowers and discussing practical monitoring techniques.
(PHOTO ABOVE: Rusty patched male bumblebee by Dan Jackson.)
The walk will take place on approximately 100 acres of prairie, stream, and bluff habitat protected through a conservation easement with Mississippi Valley Conservancy. Susan Carpenter, Wisconsin Native Plant Garden Curator at the UW Arboretum, and Steve Carpenter, professor emeritus and former director of the UW–Madison Center for Limnology, have dedicated years to understanding, restoring, and caring for natural systems. Their conservation work reflects a shared commitment to protecting the health and resilience of Wisconsin’s landscapes and wildlife.
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
As a regional land trust, the Conservancy works with landowners and communities to permanently protect the bluffs, prairies, forests, wetlands, streams, and farms that enrich the Driftless Area. We are deeply grateful to Steve and Susan Carpenter for generously opening their beautiful protected property for this educational event and for sharing their expertise and passion for conservation.
Event Details:
• Free program; registration required at MississippiValleyConservancy.org
• Participation limited to 20 people
• Specific directions will be sent after registration
• Please bring a camera and/or binoculars
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes or boots; hat and sunscreen recommended
• No dogs, please
• No restroom facilities on site; a service station is located three miles south at Hwy 18 and Hwy I
• Walking route will follow mowed lanes and short vegetation over mostly level but occasionally uneven terrain; plan to walk 1–2 miles while visiting flower patches
SIGN UP
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by July 25th on the events page. Questions? Contact Karen Solverson at karen@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8.
This event is part of the Conservancy’s 2026 “Linked to the Land” series of outdoor experiences on the many nature preserves it protects for wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, outdoor learning and recreation in the Driftless Area. The program is supported by the generous donations of our members and the in-kind support of WXOW News19.
Get grounded in soil health, conservation, and farmland protection at the 2026 Dig into Soil Health Field Day, hosted by the Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership.
Join the Partnership and Mississippi Valley Conservancy at the Michelson Farm in West Salem on Wednesday, August 12 for a hands-on farm tour of waterway restoration techniques, pollinator habitat management, and soil health evaluations.
Please dress for the weather and walking on a working farm.
Sign up today to reserve your spot and lunch!
Let's remove invasive brush together!
Join us for a day of invasive brush removal at the stunning Wandering Rock State Natural Area. The invasive brush we remove will help restore native habitat and will benefit a wide variety of species that use the land. Come lend a hand, enjoy sweeping views of the Mississippi River, and be a part of caring for the Driftless Area!
Bring a friend and check out all the delicious ice cream options below the bluff in Nelson after a day of rewarding work.
All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!
Terrain difficulty rating: STEEP
Work difficulty rating: MODERATE
Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email payton@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.
Let's build fire breaks!
Eager to get outside and do something meaningful? Grab a friend and head over to the County FA trailhead at the Mathy Quarry in the bluffs above La Crosse. The Kaplan Tract (right next to the Mathy Quarry trails) is a ongoing bluff restoration project. We will be working to eliminate invasive brush on the site to prepare for more prescribed fire on the property. Come along and learn about the ongoing restoration while doing your part to give back to nature.
All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and sometimes steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!
Terrain difficulty rating: STEEP
Work difficulty rating: MODERATE
Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email payton@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.
Let's remove invasive brush together!
Time for a roadtrip! Buckle up for a long trip from our office in La Crosse down to the beautiful town of Cassville in Grant County, OR meet us there if you live in the southern part of Wisconsin. This exceptional site is home to amazing fields of wild flowers, the rare and beautiful Chinkapin oak, and a small creek with a thriving beaver population.
We will work on removing invasive brush from the site while maintaining the high quality oak savanna spread across the nature preserve. Pack your favorite road trip snack because this volunteer work party is a journey! Be sure to ask about carpooling when you sign up.
All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!
Terrain difficulty rating: STEEP
Work difficulty rating: MODERATE
Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email payton@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.
Let's remove invasive brush together!
Did you know that Mississippi Valley Conservancy has a nature preserve just outside of Black River Falls? Water's Edge Woods nature preserve is a property that reminds us more of the northwoods than the Driftless Area.
Come explore this site while we restore habitat along the banks of the Black River. We will focus on removing invasive glossy buckthorn, clearing deadfall, and preventing erosion. Be sure to bring some bugspray! There is an easy terrain, making this suitable for all ages and abilities.
All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!
Need a ride? Be sure to ask about carpooling when you sign up.
Terrain difficulty rating: FLAT
Work difficulty rating: LIGHT
Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email payton@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.
Let's build fire breaks!
Let's work together to pull brush and reduce the fuel load so that when it is time to burn, the property will be all ready to go. You will LOVE the grand views from the blufftops, and learn all about the conservation measures being put into place to help enhance wildlife habitat as you work.
Bring a friend and check out all the delicious ice cream options in Nelson after a day of rewarding work.
All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!
Terrain difficulty rating: STEEP
Work difficulty rating: MODERATE
Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email payton@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.
Get out and do something for the wild by volunteering with our land restoration team this fall!
This event is scheduled for National Coastal Clean-up Day! Just because we don't have an ocean 'coast' doesn't mean we can't clean up the coastline of our beloved Kickapoo River.
Join us at Kickapoo Bottoms to clean trash from the Kickapoo River floodplain. Not only does this help us restore the land for wildlife, but it also helps improve water quality and you will learn more about this protected property from our team as you work.
TERRAIN: FLAT
WORK INTENSITY: MODERATE
Safety equipment and tools are provided. Please wear long pants and long sleeves and close toed shoes. BRING WATER BOOTS OR WADERS (optional). Bring plenty of water to drink.
SIGN UP: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/0OA0AzZIACGMQM9ioT2tkg
Want to receive regular updates about volunteer activities? Please sign up.
Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy on September 30th 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:
Wednesday, September 30
Prairie Seed Collection
New Amsterdam Grasslands - New Amsterdam, La Crosse County
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sign-up: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/0OA0AzZIACGMQM9ioT2tkg
Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email payton@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.
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.
Enjoy an adventure in Panama while supporting the Conservancy through the purchase of your trip!
Click HERE to download the PDF below to learn all about this exciting opportunity.
Email Shane Drey for more details: Shane@mississippivalleyconservancy.org
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: August 28, 2026