Groundswell Conservancy

This weekend’s front-page Wisconsin State Journal story shines a spotlight on the Herro property along the Yahara River in the Town of Dunn—an extraordinary landscape with both ecological importance and deep cultural significance.

Groundswell Conservancy is proud to be part of the ongoing effort to ensure this land is permanently protected for future generations.

Read the story here: https://madison.com/article_61e12c0d-ec3b-5150-ba31-80df6446ff27.html

Image descriptions: A view of part of the land to be protected and donated to the Ho-Chunk Nation, looking east where the Yahara River meets Lower Mud Lake. Photo credit: Ben Jones

Last night was a major milestone for conservation in Dane County.

With overwhelming support, Dane County approved funding for the protection of the Herro property — an extraordinary landscape along the Yahara River with significant ecological, historical, and cultural value.

This moment reflects years of partnership, persistence, and shared vision. We are grateful to the Herro family, the Ho-Chunk Nation, County Executive Melissa Agard, Dane County Land & Water Resources Department staff, and all who worked together to advance this effort.

Groundswell Conservancy is proud to have helped lead and support this project alongside our partners, and we look forward to the work ahead to ensure this land is protected for generations to come.

Take a moment to read this story from The Capital Times about what could happen to conservation in our region — and throughout Wisconsin — if the state Legislature allows Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program funding to expire next month.

“Without the Knowles-Nelson program, we will have far fewer places to recreate, birdwatch, (go) hiking, hunting, fishing, all those great activities,” Tony Abate, our Senior Director of Conservation, told The Capital Times. “There will just be fewer of those, and it’s quite the shame.”

Please keep contacting your legislators to express your support for this long-running bipartisan program!

Without Knowles-Nelson, what happens to Wisconsin conservation? The state’s popular land stewardship program runs out of funding June 30. Some worry more Wisconsin natural areas will be bulldozed.

Curious about what’s unfolding in nature right now? 🌿

Our Land Management Director, BJ Byers, shares monthly “Nature Now” updates that capture the beauty and surprises of the natural world as it happens. From his time spent out on the land, BJ notices the small, fascinating details many of us might overlook—and pairs them with stunning photography.

Click below to read his latest blog post and see what's been happening outside amid last month's chaotic weather ... from Devil's urn and fiddleheads to Yellow-bellied sapsuckers!

https://groundswellconservancy.org/april-devils-urn-sapsuckers-and-fiddleheads/

Thanks to our volunteer crew for cutting invasive brush at Patrick Marsh in Sun Prairie recently! This work was done on the City of Sun Prairie-owned portion of the conservancy park. We worked for about two hours and really opened up the area so that native plant species can thrive!

If you'd like to help care for our lands, we offer outdoor volunteering twice a month:

• the third Friday of the month from 9-11:30 a.m. at Patrick Marsh Conservancy Park

• the second Saturday of the month from 9-11:30 a.m. at Westport Prairie

Sign up and find more details here: https://groundswellconservancy.org/get-involved/outdoor-volunteering/