In a wonderful kismet moment for an outdoors lover, I recently learned that the first Saturday in June isn't just National Trails Day, but also National Prairie Day.
The day was founded by the Missouri Prairie Foundation in 2016 as a day to celebrate and advocate for prairies and their restoration across the country. The mission:
- Enhance public awareness of what prairie is, educate about its value, and motivate all who learn about prairie to be inspired to support prairie protection, conservation, restoration, enjoyment, and the ecological concepts found there.
- Create curiosity and celebrate and encourage a national dialogue around the common ground of the historic and current value of prairie.
- Recognize the vital importance of conserving the original prairie that remains, and the need to reconstruct native grasslands where appropriate.
- Celebrate what we can learn, and have yet to discover, from prairie.
- Discover how each of us benefits from this complex ecosystem.
- Bring together otherwise disparate entities, united on common ground, towards a common goal.
And, in the good news kismet department, a number of Driftless area groups have planned a great hike to celebrate both National Prairie Day and National Trails Day. Read on...
Hixon Prairie Hike Celebrating National Prairie and National Hiking Day
- Saturday, June 7 8:00am -
- Lower Hixon parking lot, off Hwy 16, at the end of Milson Ct, La Crosse, WI
Join us to celebrate National Prairie Day and National Trails Day, both of which occur on June 7th! National Prairie Day was founded in 2016 to enhance public awareness of the value of prairies while National Trails Day was founded in 1976 as a chance to get outdoors, connect with community, and give back to the trails you love by “leaving them better than you found them”.
Meet us at the Lower Hixon Parking Lot at the end of Milson Court. There will be two hikes offered- both will leave the parking lot on Hickory Trail to Savanna Trail and finally to Vista Trail which will take you to Lookout Prairie. At the parking lot and along the way we will pick up litter to fulfill the pledge of leaving the trails better than we found them.
At Lookout Prairie we will stop and have a brief discussion about the prairie while admiring the beautiful view of La Crosse. Then those wishing to have a shorter hike totaling 2.5 miles can head back the way we came while others wanting a longer hike and a loop totaling 4.0 miles can hike Vista to Rim of the City Road to Miller Bluff Trail back to the parking lot.
Sponsors: Friends of the Blufflands, The Prairie Enthusiasts, City of La Crosse Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and the Outdoor Recreation Alliance
I hope to see you there!
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