Is spring on the way?  A flock of robins visited MVC executive director Tim Jacobson on Sunday.  It is unknown if it's a group of overwintering city birds or ones that have migrated up along with warmer temperatures.

Tim has continued to see a peregrine falcon in downtown La Crosse throughout the winter--a bird that decided not to migrate.  On Friday, he saw the peregrine repeatedly stoop (dive) on a flock of pigeons in what appeared to be a half-hearted attempt to catch one.  There is an endless supply of food for the peregrine here.

On 2/9/2011, WKBT (Channel 8) ran a 2-minute, 22-second-long news story about the Stewardship Fund freeze and its possible impact on MVC’s conservation work.  You can find the story, including the full video, online at www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=14001585

WXOW’s (Channel 19) website has a text version of the TV story online.  www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14001639

The La Crosse Tribune ran a story, too.  http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_9f5e28f4-3465-11e0-9f68-001cc4c03286.html

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is pleased to announce the purchase of 85 acres adjacent to the Crawford County Fairgrounds. The Kickapoo Bottoms property includes scenic wetlands, grasslands, and forest habitat, and 4,700 feet of frontage on the Kickapoo River. It's home to an abundance of wildlife species. The purchase was made possible by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund.  It is open to public recreation.