Field Events Begin Getting Outside Together Safely Our field events season got underway this month with Outdoor Photography for Smartphones, lead by Mark Hirsch. Participants learned how to best capture the beauty of the Driftless through the untapped potential inside their smartphones. Our future field events will be held this summer and fall following the state and county COVID-19 guidelines for gathering safely, with proper distancing and the health of all always at the front of our minds. Opportunity for Input on Energy Task Force on Climate Change Needs You The Wisconsin Climate Task Force has opened public hearings on the future of climate, energy and sustainability policy across the state. You can help shape how best to achieve Governor Ever’s executive order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Please consider submitting comments now through the end of July to assure the task force takes our rural energy future into consideration.
Conservation Easements Queue Protecting private land is popular! With the ever-changing landscape of human health and politics, one thing is certain: protecting the Driftless is a becoming more of a priority. We are actively working with 12 landowners on permanent protection of their properties! Please continue to reach out if you are interested and contact us to learn more about the process. Board Highlight: Mark Mittelstadt Founding Board Member and forester
We've highlighted the special contributions and work of Mark Mittelstadt and want to thank him for his support of DALC for the past 20 years. His vision and long-time leadership has shaped our organization since the beginning. "When DALC has more to work with, more good work gets done." Read more about Mark and Brenda.
Notes from the Field
Dear friends, The photo in this post was created as I wandered the woods following the lead of my talented and generous friend Mark Hirsch. We had a great morning! He taught me about how much I was missing when using the camera on my phone. All the participants were grateful to be outside, connecting to nature and each other and all in support of our shared efforts to conserve what is best about this land. As we begin to get outside together more and more the health and well-being of our community and staff are my utmost priority. Fortunately, the science supports that being outside together can happen safely and we welcome you to join our small excursions, events and projects in the weeks ahead. Take good care, Jen UPCOMING EVENTS* Prairie and Savanna Plant ID FULL July 11 - Spring Green/Dodgeville Oak Savanna Ecology & Management August 29 - Muscoda Forest Management: Creating Healthy Woodlands September 12 - Ridgeway Chainsaw Safety - Level 1 September 19 - Erickson Conservation Area, Arglye Chainsaw Safety for Women- Level 1 October 10 - Sardeson Preserve, Mineral Point Sandhill Crane Viewing November 6 and 7 - Spring Green Updates, registration and more details online at driftlessconservancy.org/events *We will continue to follow state and county guidelines related to COVID-19. Each event will be evaluated at least one week prior to assess whether conditions warrant any adjustments. All registrants will be informed via email of any changes.