It's time to check on what's up in the learning department in the Driftless - and nearby areas. What kind of events, field trips and programs are popping up just waiting for you to take advantage of them?
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On a Friends of the Blufflands field trip exploring
the process of restoring prairie remnants in Hixon Forest
Image- Larry Sleznikow |
I have been having a great time learning at events like these so far this summer. Many of the programs I run across are free and feature wonderfully knowledgeable leaders, guides and docents. And most get you actively outdoors. What's not to like?
Here's a few coming up:
The Driftless Region - Wednesday August 9 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Join Armand Bartz at this Chautaqua series talk about the region at the Ferry Ville WI Village Hall. Bartz works for the WI DNR and is the manager of 7 State Natural areas in the Driftless region. I went on a 4 hour-guided hike up a bluff with hime this spring and he is a font of interesting knowledge on all aspects of the region. Free. No registration required. Sponsor: Ferryville Tourism
Geo Walk to Chimney Rock Friday August 18 6-7:00 pm
On this hike in Whitewater State Park, we will travel through time to learn about the geologic processes that formed the beautiful Whitewater River Valley. Find out how oceans, glaciers and raging rivers have shaped this landscape. Distance - 0.7 Miles, Elevation Gain 200 ft. Uneven surfaces. Free. Registration required. Sponsor: Whitewater (MN) State Park
La Crosse Blufflands-North: Cty Rd FA Trailhead (Mathy)
Guided wildflower walk with MVC staff and several leaders of Friends of the Blufflands will share their knowledge of the prairie pollinators and the beneficial roles they play in La Crosse’s bluffland ecology. It's an easy hike out onto one of the northernmost sections of the beautiful La Crosse Blufflands seeing rock outcroppings, blufftop prairies, and the remains of a rock quarry. Free. Registration required. Sponsor: Mississippi Valley Conservancy.
Chasing the Driftless and it's Geology Saturday, August 19 9:30 - 10:15 am
Escape the heat and join Ranger Katy Julian at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge La Crosse Visitor's Center (N5727 Cty Rd Z, Onalaska, WI) and learn how Mother Nature sculpted the land known as the Driftless area. Gain a greater understanding and appreciation for many of the unique features we have right here in our own backyard of the Driftless area. Free. No registration required. Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Walk the Prairie Trail and along the forested edge of Pleasant Valley Lakelet. Hope to see and hear prairie and forest birds including meadowlarks, Dicksissels, bluebirds, raptors, various sparrows, and other grassland birds. Bring binoculars. The trail is mowed grass without much elevation change; however, it is a bit lumpy. The walk is approximately 2-4 miles long. Depending on group preferences and how many birds we are seeing, this can take 2-4 hours, but you can leave whenever you would like. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. In Partnership With: Frontenac State Park Association. Free. Sponsor: Frontenac (MN) State Park
Viterbo Biology Dept, along with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration would like you to join them for an evening on FSPA land on St. Joseph Ridge (W2658 WI-33, La Crosse, WI 54601) to learn about moths and other nocturnal insects. After a short presentation, we will explore the ridgetop looking for as many different organisms as we can see, cataloging them by taking a picture and posting it to the iNaturalist app. Here’s hoping we see more fireflies than mosquitoes! Free. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse Area BioBlitz
Join us for a mushroom foray – a morning of foraging for wild mushrooms along a bluff that's high above the Mississippi River, near Cassville in Grant County. Guided by members of the UW-La Crosse Mycology Club, the workshop will give participants the opportunity to share their findings and get assistance with mushroom identification from knowledgeable mycologists. Free. Registration required. Sponsor: Mississippi Valley Conservancy.
There will be pulse-pounding displays of some of the most glorious insects on Earth, and Barrett will discuss examples of ways in which insects have affected our culture and history, from fashion to food, music to movies, and politics to espionage. Weather-permitting, Barrett will lead an insect walk, pointing out insects and sharing tales of their natural history along the way. If you join Barrett on his walk, please bring closed-toed shoes for your safety. Free. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse Area BioBlitz
Fungi Saturday, September 9 2-4:00pm Fungi play many important roles in the environment as decomposers, pathogens, and essential partners of other organisms. Todd will talk about fungal biology, then we will collect fungi in lower Hixon Forest, and then discuss our finds. Please also feel free to bring along mushrooms or other fungi for identification and/or discussion. Please bring closed-toed shoes and a mask for your safety. Free. Registration required. Sponsor: La Crosse Area BioBlitz
8:00am - 10:00pm
Join Wildcat Mountain State Park and the Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park in celebrating our 75th Anniversary! Fun and activities for all ages. Activities will include a trail fun run/walk, guided hikes, kid’s games, food and drink vendors, horse-drawn wagon rides, educational presentations, music, pumpkin carving/jack o’ lanterns and star gazing. And, as a special gift to our guests, park admission is FREE that day. Free. No registration required. Sponsor: Wildcat Mountain (MN) State Park
La Crescent will be hosting a Tree Steward training. Completing the training is a great opportunity to learn more about tree varieties, tree science, and tree care. You will have opportunities to volunteer within the community to be stewards of the city's tree stock. Registration required. The cost is $25.
Sponsor: City of La Crescent MN
Be sure to check often with local hiking groups, universities, naturalist-interest groups, nature conservancies, nature centers and their Friends groups, state parks, US Fish and Wildlife centers and others in your area to see what is on offer to help you understand the natural world around you better.
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