Greens Coulee

Protected bluff land above Onalaska increased by 51 acres just before Christmas 2009 as the Mississippi Valley Conservancy purchased Greens Coulee bluff property partly in the city and partly in the Town of Onalaska. It is the first purchase made under a cooperative agreement between the City of Onalaska and the conservancy.

 

The land will be managed as natural habitat as part of the larger city Greenway Project with a connection to the Greens Coulee Park bluff. Hiking and other non-motorized uses such as cross country skiing and bird watching will be encouraged.

 

Onalaska Mayor Michael Giese said that he was pleased that MVC was successful in completing the purchase of a key part of the city’s Greenway project. “ It’s a wonderful addition. It’s a win-win for all the residents of the Coulee Region.”

 

George Kerckhove, MVC president, said that the purchase represents another important example of how the conservancy works with its partners and land owners to preserve the region’s scenic landscape. Under a similar agreement with the City of La Crosse, MVC is helping to preserve the bluffs above the city.

 

MVC will own and manage the property for a couple of years and then transfer it to the city with a conservation easement that will restrict some uses and all development, according to Tim Jacobson, MVC executive director. “A goal of the preserve is to serve the needs of the public to the greatest extent possible while protecting natural resources.”

 

Jason Gilman, Onalaska's Land Use and Development Director, said, "The latest Mississippi Valley Conservancy acquisition in Greens Coulee represents another important addition to the Onalaska Central Greenway System. The Greenway Plan, adopted in 2000, laid out a city-wide system of interconnected parks and open space.”

 

Gilman added, "This addition will complement the current system of over 100 acres of public lands running through the central portion of Greens Coulee which includes the Green Coulee Community Park (55 acres), Clearwater Farm (12 Acres), Pierce Park (5 acres), Medary Meadowood Park (7.5 acres) and Onalaska School Forest lands (23 acres).”

 

Gilman expressed his belief that this acquisition along with the currently preserved Green Coulee Community Park to the South preserves a famed ridgeline peak from Hamlin Garland’s “Son of the Middle Border” book. Gilman also said, “I also know this ridgeline to contain rare prairie remnants from Onalaska’s early settlement years or before. When I have been up there, I like to think about the prairie-covered bluffs where buffalo once roamed and prehistoric cultures occupied Wisconsin.”

 

George Howe, MVC conservation director, emphasized the importance of protecting this bluff from the standpoint of ecology and scenic beauty. “The land includes rare natural communities such as dry bluff prairie and globally imperiled oak savannah.” MVC found the largest population identified in this part of the state of a rare prairie plant called “death camus” in the lily family, as well as the beautiful yellow lady’s slipper orchid.

 

Howe added, “This bluff is quite scenic. When you’re on the land, the variety of blooming plants, the massive oak trees, the mushroom-shaped rock formations, and fabulous views from the prairie are all spectacular.”

 

Howe said that the land in the town may be hunted by all legal means. Deer hunting with bow and arrow may be allowed on the portion within the city. “Deer hunting should be encouraged to the greatest extent possible because deer populations are much higher than what is recommended by the DNR,” he said.

Click here for a map of the Greens Coulee area.