WI DNR Comment Period Open for Western WI Public Lands

I saw this recently on the 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Facebook page. It should be of interest to all outdoor users in western Wisconsin.

“The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released a draft regional master plan for the Western Coulees and Ridges, covering hundreds of public lands across western Wisconsin, and they are accepting public comments through July 2026. 

The plan will guide long-term decisions on recreation access, habitat restoration, forestry practices, and future improvements to parks, trails, and wildlife areas. Because it sets management direction for decades, this is a key opportunity for residents, outdoor users, and local stakeholders to weigh in on priorities from conservation and water quality to trail expansion and public access. If you care about how these landscapes are used and protected, now is the time to review the draft and submit feedback.”

To read the full DNR plan and access comment forms, please stop here.

Image - Marge Loch-Wouters

Update on the Iowa/Wisconsin Bridge Project at Lansing

June 9 Update: LANSING, Iowa – June 9, 2026 – The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) are announcing that the center span of the new bridge for the Iowa 9 / WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge Project will now be installed on June 12 due to weather. Crews will need to close the free car ferry and restrict other traffic on the Mississippi River on Friday, June 12, so the pre-assembled section of the center span can be floated down the river and connected to sections being built in place. 

Larry Quamme of the Friends of Pool 9 shared this June 5 press release on the raising of the center span in the construction of the new Lansing bridge and ferry closure.

Image courtesy of Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing Facebook page

Ferry, river traffic to close for center span install

for new WIS 82 / IA 9 Mississippi River Bridge

 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), together with the Iowa Department of Transportation, are announcing a key milestone in the IA 9 / WIS 82 Mississippi River Bridge project. The center span of the new bridge will be installed on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 in a process that includes floating the pre-assembled section down the river to be connected to sections being built in place. The project will need to close the free car ferry and restrict other traffic on the Mississippi River on June 11 and 12, 2026.

 

On the morning of Thursday, June 11, the center span will travel downstream by barge until it aligns with the new sections. It will then be lifted into place and connected to the existing east and west assemblies. The entire process is expected to take several hours. The channel will remain closed on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 to fully connect and inspect the span. The project will continue in future weeks and months with additional construction on the bridge superstructure, deck and other features. The new bridge is expected to open to traffic in 2027.

 

The Iowa DOT will display a livestream of the event at iowadot.gov/lansingbridge. People are encouraged to watch the livestream as a safe and comfortable option.

 

Below are details of the center span installation and associated impacts to the car ferry and other vessels on the Mississippi River.

 

• The free car ferry will operate on Wednesday, June 10 through normal hours. The car ferry will not operate on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12, and will resume on Saturday, June 13 at normal hours. See iowadot.gov/lansingcarferry for car ferry service details.

 

• The project team is coordinating with the US Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers to restrict all commercial and recreational boat traffic on the Mississippi River around the project site on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12. Recreational boat traffic from the Lansing Marina will be allowed to travel north on the river on Thursday, June 11 after the center span barge has cleared the area. Boat traffic from the Big Slough Landing and other landings on the Wisconsin side should be able to traverse the sloughs but will not be able to use the main channel under or around the bridge project.

 

• The contractor will enforce a restricted area on the Mississippi River to both the north and south of the bridge.

 

• There are no planned highway or street closures. The ferry landings on both the Iowa and Wisconsin sides will be closed to vehicles. There are no anticipated impacts to adjacent property owners.

 

• With the ferry closure, motorists should follow the marked detour routes with the closest bridges at US 18 between McGregor, Iowa, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; or at US 14 between La Crescent, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin.

 

• If weather or other circumstances delay the center span installation, the alternate date is set for June 18 and June 19.

 

The Mississippi River Bridge project has been proceeding since late 2024 with the new bridge extending from both the western Iowa shore and the eastern Wisconsin approach. The prior bridge was demolished in December 2025. The center span is being assembled just upstream near the Lansing Marina. By assembling the span off site, the project was able to keep the river channel open at most times and keep the car ferry service in operation.

 

For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge as well as updates on the existing bridge status, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge. Individuals may also sign up to receive email updates and view the Facebook page at facebook.com/LansingBridge/. Full information on the ferry is available at iowadot.gov/lansingcarferry.

 

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

Nature Sneak Peek - June 2026

Bulblet bladderferns

Summer is here! We are officially in the warm season of abundant plant growth and abundant wildlife activity. As the weather heats up, nature is enjoying a massive growth spurt. It makes June a particularly beautiful month to be outdoors.

Here are some of the things you might notice on the trails in June. Enjoy!

Woods

Now that the leaves are fully out and shading the trails, the season of delicate ephemerals is mostly behind us. Sturdier, shade-loving plants come to the fore. Nettles, cleavers, woodbine and other green growth is explosive.

Ferns - are in their glory this month as they reach towards their full growth. Watch for interrupted, ostrich, lady, sensitive, wood and maidenhair ferns in the woods. Note the small ferns like rockcap and bulblet bladderferns that nestle in rock faces. These hardy beauties need little soil to be successful.

Leaves three, let it be -poison ivy

Fungi - mushrooms like inky caps, oysters, conks and shelf mushrooms like Dryad's saddle are much in evidence on the trails. Watch for chanterelles and old man of the woods make an appearance as well. Be sure you know which mushrooms are edible before foraging.

Poison ivy is out in plant, bush and vine form not just in woods but in wetlands and prairies too. Be cautious near trail edges and don't touch any plant with three leaves if you're not sure of it's identity.

Prairies

Death camus

This is the beginning of their shining season. I hike often in  prairies for the sheer diversity of blooms throughout the warm season. Sun loving plants and their insect pollinators (and their predators) are out in force. There are swaths of big bold color on the prairies (think butterfly weed, puccoons, spiderworts and more) but watch for the blooms of rare plans like bastard toad-flax, beardtongue, Canada frostweed, four-o-clock and Deptford pink.

Leonard's skullcap

Leonard's skullcap and mountain death camus - these tiny blooms on short stalks are some of my favorite June finds. Every part of the camus is deadly to ingest for wildlife and humans. The skullcap's bloom is no bigger than a small child's fingernail but one of the most beautiful blooms on the prairie.

Milkweeds - while we are used to seeing the common milkweed and its attendant butterflies nectoring on them, there is a wealth of other milkweeds to discover. Among the ones you can spot in the Driftless area: butterfly weed, narrow leaf, clasping leaf, purple, short green, green comet and whorled milkweed. Keep your eyes out!

The Solomon's seals - it's finally bloom time for these elegant forbs. Often people struggle between identifying smooth (true, as some people say) vs false Solomon's seal. If you are one of them, this mnemonic can help: false on the lip; true under hip. In other words, the false Solomon's seal sets it bloom from the tip while smooth Solomon's seal has blossoms under it's leaves. 

The top photo shows a false Solomon's seal with it's flower "on the "lip" or at the tip of the leaf structure.

The photo below it shows a smooth Solomon's seal with it's pendant buds ready to open "under hip", sheltered by its leaves above. 

I admit I wish poor false Solomon's seal had its own lovely name without the word "false" but that's life!

Wetlands

Plants that love wet feet are in abundance including marsh ferns, grasses, and flowers. But the real star here is the wildlife.

Widow skimmer dragonfly

Dragonflies/Damselflies - mosquito hatches in wet, damp areas also bring out a rich variety of flying predators. Wisconsin has over 118 species of dragonflies alone. It's fascinating to watch the skimmer, clubtail, forktail, darner, cruiser and spiketail dragonflies, along with the more delicate broad-winged and spread-winged damselflies, go about their business. And I can't help thanking them!

Turtles - it’s time for turtles to dig their nests and deposit their eggs. This is a dangerous time for the females. Keep a sharp eye out on roads near wetlands and bodies of water. If you can do it safely, you can help a turtle by following this guide to the left.

Birds - the nesting and fledging season for a variety of songbirds is in full swing. Early morning or late evening walks are a symphony of sound in the trees and brush of wetlands as the many warblers and songbirds call. While the leaves obscure the view, with a pair of binoculars you can still spot some of the flitting birds on the hunt for food for their young.

Finally, Fireflies  

While you may not be hiking at night, one of the most iconic and anticipated insect appearances of June is the firefly. As darkness falls, these beetles that can produce bioluminescence through a chemical reaction within their abdomen, begin their mating ritual. Their winking nightly flights always feel to me like the proof that summer is well upon us.

No matter where you go, be curious. Take some extra time to look and see what you can see along the trail. You’ll be delighted!

Purple milkweed

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Scaly inky cap mushrooms

Summer’s Best Driftless Prairie Hikes

Sugar Creek Bluff prairie

Let's celebrate National Prairies Day on Saturday June 6! And what better way to celebrate than hiking one of the many prairies in the Driftless regions of MN, WI and IA? Check the following list of over 30 prairie hikes to find some new spots to explore and enjoy.

The prairies listed feature fairly flat, dry sand prairies that are easily accessible for gentle hikes, to blufftop prairies remnants you earn with a significant gain in elevation, to goat prairies that are extremely steep and challenging. 

Summer is the very best season to enjoy these gems, many of which are maintained and restored by groups like the Mississippi Valley Conservancy, The Prairie Enthusuaists and the Friends of the Blufflands, Park and Rec Departments and Friends groups among others. There are many familiar as well as rare plants you can enjoy. 

Here are a few of my favorite prairie hikes to celebrate the summer in. You can click on the title for hike descriptions/locations. I've also graded the hikes on level of difficulty so you can match the destination to your ability.  

Goat/Hill Prairies

Hixon Forest Prairies, La Crosse WI - moderate to difficult

A literal  prairie "string of pearls," on this hike take you to numerous goat prairies (and spectacular views) in various stages of restoration thanks to TPE, Friends of the Blufflands and the city. You can reach the closest three prairies by doing a 2.3 mile loop or extend the hike to reach Vista and Stry prairies to the east. The hiking to the first three prairies has some ups and downs but is relatively moderate.

"String of Pearls"prairies in yellow
City of La Crosse Park and Recreation map

Great River Bluff State Park, Nodine MN - moderately easy

The King's Bluff trail is notable for its fine hill prairies along its route. From pasque flowers in the early spring all the way through the asters of fall, the prairies here never disappoint. Restoration work is ongoing at this state park and SNA. And, of course, the views of the Mississippi River and Queen's bluff at the end of the out-and-back trail are worth the price of your MN annual park sticker. 

Marowski Bluff, Ferryville WI - moderate to difficult
Recently acquired and protected by The Prairie Enthusiasts, this steep bluffside prairie is being actively restored by their Coulee Region chapter. A kiosk with information about the property and its donor, Dr. Marowski greets the public at a small cul de sac. The prairie and encircling woods features a large number of plants including the rare purple milkweed. While there are no signed trails, for the wandering prairie enthusiast, there are treasures to be found along its steep slopes.

Sugar Creek Bluff, Ferryville, WI - moderate

This Mississippi Valley Conservancy property features a steep restored and carefully maintained prairie at the end of an out-and-back forest walk of about a 1.5 miles. Spectacular views of the Mississippi River and MN bluffs along with a rich prairie environment await. 

Rush Creek Bluff SNA, Ferryville WI - very challenging

You earn this goat prairie after a steep hike up an old logging road. Those in the know can also walk south from the parking lot and bushwhack up from the bottom  - the lower third of the hike up the south esast side of the bluff is full of rare and amazing prairie plants. Not for the faint of hear or body.

Perrot State Park - Trempealeau WI - moderate to difficult

Brady's bluff trail takes you through a large steep goat prairie south of the shelter at the top. Flowering spurge is quite prominent but sharp-eyed hikers will spot other prairie stalwarts on the steep slope. 

Dry Sand Prairies

Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA
Image - MN DNR

Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA, Wabasha County, MN - moderate

Have your trails app on and explore this trailless series of sand dunes near the Mississppi River. Your reward is sightings of rare flora, fauna and insects throughout the growing season - including the elusive fameflower. There are patches of poison ivy throughout so stay alert but don't let that stop you from exploring this amazing ecosystem.

Holland Sand Prairie, Holmen WI  - easy

This Mississippi Valley Conservancy property near the edge of a subdivision is a riot of prairie plants. Regular prescribed burns make this tract one of the best destinations for frequent return trips to see the constant carpets of ever-changing, blooming prairie plants. Easy.

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau WI - easy

While best known for it's migratory birds and wetlands, the refuge has a spectacular trail that hugs a series of old sand dunes and is a riot of dry sand prairie forbs and grasses. The hills in late May to early June are carpeted in blue wild lupines but any time in the summer you can find colorful prairie plants on this flat trail suitable for any ability. 

Upper Mississippi River National Fish & Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Onalaska WI - easy

Located at N5727 County Rd Z, Onalaska, WI on Brice Prairie, the "trails begin at the visitor center and wind through a restored sand prairie. Paved pathways lead from the visitor center to the Lake Onalaska Overlook, connecting to longer packed gravel loops along the way. Plenty of native prairie plants provide year round color and are a-buzz with wildlife from late spring through fall. Outdoor restrooms are available year round." This is always a beautiful and well-maintained prairie. 

Borah Creek Prairie SNA, Fennimore WI - moderate to challenging.
This sand prairie in southwest WI stretches over acres. There are few trails but walking right into the prairie itself reveals an ever-changing variety of forbs, grasses, birds and insects.

Bluff-top Mini-Remnant Prairies

These lovely little jewels are a reward at or near the top of bluff hikes. While small, they are stunning in their variety, full of rare and familiar native plants. They are seldom burned or maintained so can be overgrown but are rewarding for the welcome pops of color when coming out from forest trails. These hikes can sometimes be difficult due to steep elevation changes.

• Vetsch Park's Stoney Point, La Crescent MN - moderately difficult

Vetsch Park's remnant prairie

• South Park, Houston MN - difficult

• Maglessen Bluff - Rushford MN - easy from park top

• Beaver Creek Valley State Park , Hole-in-the-Rock Trail- Caledonia MN - moderately difficult

• Yellow River State Forest, Luster Heights Unit - Harper's Ferry, IA - easy

• Yellow River State Forest, Paint Rock Unit - Harper's Ferry, IA - moderately difficult

• Greens Coulee/Savannah Oaks, Onalaska WI - difficult

• Eagles Bluff, La Crescent MN - moderate

• Wildwood Trail, Bluffside Park - Winona MN - easy

• Chickadee Trail, Bluffside Park, Winona MN - easy

• Reno Quarry Trail - Reno, MN - moderate

• Whitewater State Park (especially Dakota Trail and Eagle Point trails), Altura MN - difficult

Open Prairies

These prairies are fairly large and found at or near the top of bluffs.

• Easter Road Hass Conservancy, La Crosse WI - moderate to difficult

• Upper Hixon Forest Thompson Prairie Loop - County FA, La Crosse WI - easy

• Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harper's Ferry, IA - moderate to difficult

• Norwegian Ridge Nature Trail, Spring Grove MN - moderate

• Apple Blossom Overlook Park, Winona MN - moderately easy

Pollinator Gardens

I am including some planted "pollinator gardens" because they boast a stunning variety of prairie forbs, grasses and pollinating insects - and a few provide more accessible hikes for all abilities.

Community Prairie and Butterfly Garden - Decorah IA - easy

This city butterfly garden and prairie was originally planted in 2002 to protect water quality on the Upper Iowa River.  Start at the butterfly garden to learn what's in bloom and observe pollinators close-up. Then head into the expansive prairie to put your new forb knowledge to the test. There are 2 miles of mowed trails under Decorah's limestone cliffs, making it a lovely summer walk at whatever length and path you choose.

Vetsch Park, La Crescent MN - easy

A huge swath of pollinator plants (and insects) greet you at the parking lot of this park. You can follow the easy, sunny, mowed trails suitable for anyone of any ability. If you want to see a small remnant hill prairie, head up the spiderweb of trails to the top at Stoney Point for delicate wildflowers and prairie plants clinging to the hillside.

Mathy Quarry, La Crosse WI - easy

This Mississippi Valley Conservancy and City of La Crosse property has some great restored pollinator prairies full of insect and bird life. Trails can be hilly but one or two are flatter and bring you up to great views on your way to and from the pollinator prairies.

Lemon cuckoo bumblebee
gathering pollen on a coneflower

Shelby Butterfly Gardens, Shelby WI - moderate to difficult

These scout-project gardens sit atop a bluff. While not continuously maintained and so are a bit rough with some invasives, there are still abundant flowers and insect life that await you at the end of your bluff climb.

Lake Park Walk Pollinator Gardens, Winona MN - easy

Along the north shore of East Lake, there are a number of shoreline pollinator gardens with a variety of native prairie flower blooms from spring to fall. The paved asphalt makes this path accessible for any ability.

Whitewater State Park, Altura MN - easy

The Meadow Trail (first parking lot on your left if coming in from the south) has a robust sand prairie combined with stream views and rock wall views as you cross footbridges and wander this area. Very easy and flat.

I hope you can head out and enjoy some prairie beauty this summer and fall. Be sure to let me know in comments what other prairies you know about. I'd love to hike them and tell everyone. To read more about remnant prairies, please stop here.

See you on the trails!

[Note: this post is an updated list of prairie hikes originally published June 6, 2025 ]

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Holland Sand Prairie
Image - Kris Lawson

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless Magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Family Hiking Ideas and Resources

On the trail
Image contributed by Lavon Court

There are so many great ways to engage kids on the trails when you hike as a family. From examining natural objects up close (a little view) to encouraging kids to get a "big" view while they are on trails, hiking is a great way to link kids more closely to our natural world and its complex web of life.

It can also introduce a lifelong ethic of caring for and conserving our resources and beautiful natural places. Following a "leave no trace" hiking style (pack out what you pack in) also emphasizes how we can preserve our environment for genertions to come.

This post is a companion piece to an article I wrote for the summer 2026 issue of Driftless Inspired Magazine on Kid -Friendly Summer Hiking. Here is a list of a few online resources to help you and your family enjoy your time in nature even more.

Image - Sara Holger, Project Get Outdoors

Nature Activities
These resources are a practical beginning for fun activities - and list additional resources to rabbit hole down and learn even more.

• A Parent’s Guide to Nature Play - brief tips on getting kids engaged outdoors - and why its important
• GO Outdoors Cards, Jeffers Foundation - seasonal ideas for engaging kids
• ABCs for the Outdoors Pinterest page - great ideas for nature activities - like all Pinterest pages, so many ideas, so little time. 
• Aldo Leopold Center Engaging with Nature Ideas - nature engagement and craft ideas 
• MN DNR Project Learning Tree Family Learning Activities - clear ideas and ways to implement nature engagement with kids
• Project Get Outdoors Activity Calendar - includes suggested activities and books for every day of the year

Common eastern butterfly on goldenrod

Nature Identification apps

There are many apps to use. Most are AI-powered/enhanced. They will point you in the right direction but you may need to check with a second source for a firm ID - including identification books like Marrone's Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest. These are just a few of my phone app go-to's.There are many others to choose from as well. 

• Merlin Bird ID -  developed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this app helps you locate and identify birds by their song.
• Seek - iNaturalist folks are behind this all-purpose plant, animal and insect life identifier
• Picture This Plant ID - Fast and fairly accurate for plants, trees, shrubs and other greenery
• Bee Machine - a bit pokey but tends to be accurate. I check against Wisconsin's Bumblebee Brigrade field guides
• PictureMushroom- I use this to get a first identification but rely heavily on Marrone's book, Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest for a precise confirmation. Do not eat anything you cannot identify precisely.

Looking out from a bluff
to the Mississippi River

It's fun to pass on our love of the outdoors to kids. With some of these resources, we can increase our knowledge and that of the kids we hike with. 

Check out this list of family friendly hikes to find a destination that you and the kids will enjoy!

See you on the trails!

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters