Trail Trek Challenge is a free year-round hike/walk program on the nature preserves you've helped protect in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. Challenge yourself to hike at least five of the 19 designated trails to discover nature's treasures and learn what makes these places so valuable for everyone who lives, works, and plays here.

COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE AND WE WILL SEND YOU A WATER BOTTLE STICKER to commemorate your accomplishment! Add the kids' names to your Trail Guide, and we will send one for each of the kids, too!

When you sign up, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to your downloadable Trail Guide & Hike Log with hike descriptions and a place to record your hikes throughout the year. Downloadable trail maps, an interactive map, and driving directions to each hike location are available from the Nature Preserves section of our website. 

Registration kicks off at Earth Fair on April 26, 2026 with a guided marsh hike at Myrick part at 11am, and you can register at any time throughout the year.

Thank you to our sponsors, whose support helps us

• Protect trees, prairies, and clean water for plants, animals and YOU!
• Teach the value of nature through outdoor recreation and land restoration projects.
• Clear trails and provide free places for people to hike on over 7,000 acres in 9 counties.
• Inspire community members to unplug and spend more time outdoors.

2026-2025 Sponsors:

SIGN UP

Get out and do something for the wild by volunteering with our land restoration team this fall!

This event is scheduled for National Coastal Clean-up Day! Just because we don't have an ocean 'coast' doesn't mean we can't clean up the coastline of our beloved Kickapoo River.

Join us at Kickapoo Bottoms to clean trash from the Kickapoo River floodplain. Not only does this help us restore the land for wildlife, but it also helps improve water quality and you will learn more about this protected property from our team as you work.

TERRAIN: FLAT

WORK INTENSITY: MODERATE

Safety equipment and tools are provided. Please wear long pants and long sleeves and close toed shoes. BRING WATER BOOTS OR WADERS (optional). Bring plenty of water to drink.

SIGN UP: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/0OA0AzZIACGMQM9ioT2tkg

Want to receive regular updates about volunteer activities? Please sign up.

Help us prepare our invitations for our Fall Fundraiser! Join us on Wednesday, September 30 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a relaxed morning of folding invitations and preparing envelopes. It is simple work, great company, and an easy way to make a real impact. Sign up to be part of the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps conservation moving forward.

Where: Mississippi Valley Conservancy office located at 1309 Norplex Drive, Suite #9, La Crosse, WI. Street parking is available.

When: Wednesday, September 30 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

With questions, call (608) 784-3606 ext. 1 or email Tiffany at [email protected].

Join Mississippi Valley Conservancy on September 30th for a morning of seed collection at the Conservancy’s New Amsterdam Grasslands. From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers and Conservancy staff will work to collect seeds that will be used at our other nature preserves to restore these critical wildlife habitats.

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather and bring sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Join us in preparation for planting the seeds of the future at this unique nature preserve.   

DETAILS:

Wednesday, September 30
Prairie Seed Collection
New Amsterdam Grasslands - New Amsterdam, La Crosse County
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sign-up:   https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/0OA0AzZIACGMQM9ioT2tkg

Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.

Mississippi Valley Conservancy is thankful for you and all of the amazing volunteers who help us conserve and restore the Driftless Area. We could not do it without you.

Help us prepare our Fall Appeal mailing! Join us on Wednesday, October 7 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a relaxed morning of hand-addressing envelopes, folding letters, stuffing, and sealing. It is simple work, great company, and an easy way to make a real impact. Sign up to be part of the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps conservation moving forward.

Where: Mississippi Valley Conservancy office located at 1309 Norplex Drive, Suite #9, La Crosse, WI. Street parking is available.

When: Wednesday, October 7 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

With questions, call (608) 784-3606 ext. 1 or email Tiffany at [email protected].

It's seed season. Get (wild rose) hip alongside the land management team and collect native seeds at Boscobel Bluffs State Natural Area! This nature preserve is cool, collected, and ready for restoration. Tag along to learn how to collect native prairie seeds and be the coolest person around!

Bring a friend, enjoy the scenery, and make a tangible difference for native habitat. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or joining us for the first time, we'd love to have you on the hillside with us! 

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and sometimes steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!

What to Bring: Sturdy footwear, water, and a willingness to get your hands dirty while helping the land.

Terrain difficulty rating: STEEP TERRAIN

Work difficulty rating: LIGHT DIFFICULTY

Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6.

Join us for a fall hike through the La Crosse Blufflands as we search for mushrooms and lichens in one of the most beautiful settings in our area.

Guided by mycologist Sadie Hickey, this educational workshop will give participants the opportunity to learn about mushroom identification specific to the Driftless Area. Participants will be able to share their findings and get assistance from Sadie with mushroom identification as they hike.

Mushroom hunting is a popular way to enjoy the seasons. In September, hikers in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area may be lucky enough to find such varieties as honey mushrooms, chicken-of-the-woods, hen-of-the-woods, turkey tail, and puff ball mushrooms. There are also a number of lookalikes that can be poisonous, so it is a great opportunity to explore with someone who has experience identifying fungi.

Sadie is an experienced botanist and mycologist with an interest in all the life that surrounds us. The hike will be focused on finding mushrooms, but we will discuss any plants, lichens, or other organisms of interest we encounter.  

Bring a curious mind, a good pair of shoes, and dress for the weather.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by October 8 (or until filled). This event is part of the Conservancy’s 2024 Linked to the Land series of outdoor learning experiences in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, sponsored by our members with support from WXOW / News 19.

With questions or to get on a cancellation list, contact Karen Solverson at [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext 8. 

We hope you will join us for our Prairie Stargazing Walk at Tunnelville Cliffs in Vernon County on Saturday, October 10th at 7 p.m.

This year’s guided walk offers a chance to explore the autumn sky—planets, stars, and distant galaxies—while also tuning in to the sounds of nighttime life on the prairie. The walk is part of Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s 2026 Linked to the Land outdoor learning series, sponsored by donations from our members and in-kind support from WXOW / News 19.

Leading the way will be Susan Cushing and John Heasley. Susan is a Master Naturalist, experienced Environmental Educator with Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and Secretary of the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative. She will lead a discussion about the prairie at Tunnelville and share updates about preserving the night. John is the founder of Driftless Stargazing and will guide participants in observing the night sky with tips for how to find things with the naked eye or a simple pair of binoculars.  

The meet-up for this event is at the corner of Husker Hollow Road and Tunnelville Road, just a couple of miles west of La Farge. ANY UPDATES OR CANCELATIONS WILL SENT BY EMAIL THE DAY OF THE EVENT. I am attaching the map, but see below where the red arrow is located at Point of Interest 1...that is where we will meet.

DIRECTIONS: From La Crosse take 14/61 east to Westby, in Westby turn left onto 27 for .5 miles then turn right onto Cty Rd P. Follow P until you reach County Rd D (take a right onto D). Follow D until you reach 82 and turn right on 82, take your first left onto Husker Hollow Rd and follow until you reach Tunnelville Rd.  

Below you will find details about the upcoming event so you can plan your evening. If you sign up and then are unable to attend, please send an email to let me know. If there is inclement weather, please watch your email the day before the event and before you leave for the event for any notice of cancellation.

PRAIRIE STARGAZING WALK DETAILS:

6:45    Arrive at Tunnelville, park all on one side of the road, and join us at the entrance

7:00    Introduction to Mississippi Valley Conservancy

7:10   Split into two groups, half start with a prairie walk and talk with Susan Cushing, and half start with stargazing and discussion about the Dark Skies Initiative with John Heasley

8:00    Swap groups

9:00    Program ends...participants are welcome to stay and enjoy the night sky, however camping is not allowed at Tunnelville

Things for guests to bring (all optional):

• Blanket

• Binoculars (we will bring some extras along, too)

• Bug spray

Other:

There are no restrooms on site. Please plan to stop for your bathroom needs prior to the event.

We look forward to an evening of coming together to celebrate the beauty of this protected property and the night skies. Even if it is cloudy, it will be a beautiful and informative hike!

The Prairie Stargazing Walk is part of the Conservancy’s 2025 Linked to the Land series of outdoor learning experiences in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, sponsored by Olson Solar Energy with support from WXOW/ News 19.

(Starry evening skies, by Mike Kotila)

Sugar Creek Bluff sure is sweet! Come collect native seeds while enjoying some sweet treats on October 13th. We'll make sure you leave with knowledge about native prairie plants, seed restoration, and which pastry type is your favorite. The bluffs will be beautiful at this time of year and the crisp October air will be invigorating!

All ages and skill levels are welcome – dress appropriately for the weather, bring a water bottle and sturdy footwear and clothing to protect from brush. Together, we can make a big difference in a short amount of time!  Events may involve full body movement on uneven ground and sometimes steep slopes. Expert instruction, protective gear, tools, and snacks will be provided.

Terrain difficulty rating: STEEP

Work difficulty rating: LIGHT

SIGN UP:

Registration confirmation will be sent by email. Additional details are emailed two days prior to the event.

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6