Linked to the Land

Everybody is invited to enjoy free guided hikes and workshops throughout the year with Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s 2025 Linked to the Land program. Most of the activities take place on nature preserves protected by the Conservancy. The 2025 program was made possible by community support from Olson Solar Energy and with in-kind media support from WXOW/News 19. 

With more than 7,000 acres of land protected with public access throughout Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, the Conservancy offers Linked to the Land guided activities to familiarize people with the properties, their wildlife communities, and the value of protecting them. The activities are led by area experts on a variety of topics, including native wildlife, birding, foraging, stargazing, wildflowers, and more.

Creating a culture of caring for land, water, and wildlife is one of the ways we work to support the health and well-being of southwest Wisconsin. One of the ways we do that is by offering family-friendly activities on the lands the community has helped our nonprofit organization protect. 

The calendar of 2025 Linked to the Land program activities is listed below. All dates are and locations are subject to change, based on weather and trail conditions. To receive the latest updates about events and activities, we invite you to sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter and "like" our Facebook page.

Advance registration is required for all Linked to the Land activities. You'll find that on the Events page of this website when it becomes available for each hike or workshop (usually 5 weeks prior to an event).

 

2025 Linked to the Land Calendar of Events

**Visit our Events Calendar page to watch for registration to open for each event**

Feb. 20 - How to Create Habitat for Native Bees - La Crosse Public Library, 5:30 pm

Mar. 24 - Make a Plan to Tackle Invasives This Year - Historic Hotel Fortney, Viroqua, 6 pm

May 10 - Migratory Birding Hike, Sugar Creek Bluff, 7 am - 9 am

June 14 - BioBlitz, Holland Sand Prairie, Holmen, time 10 am - Noon

July 12 - Bat Ecology Cave Tours, Kickapoo Caverns, Wauzeka, four tours beginning at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm - EXTREMELY LIMITED AVAILABILITY - MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED TO ATTEND 

Aug. 9 - Prairie Walk & Talk, New Amsterdam Grasslands, 10 am - Noon

Sept. 6 - Scouting for Deer & Invasives, Boscobel Bluffs, 9 am - Noon

Oct. 11 - Prairie Stargazing Walk, Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area, Vernon County, 7 pm - 9 pm

Nov. 6 - Birds of Southern WI in the Face of Development, Zoom presentation, 7-8 pm

 

 

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors: