Land stewardship volunteers are invited to get to know and care for the Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area, protected by Mississippi Valley Conservancy for public recreation and native wildlife. Participants will learn about the land and help to nurture its recovery from a history of logging, railroads, and over-grazing. The event will include history, science, and local food as thanks for volunteer help in woodland restoration on the property. “For the Wild: Land Stewardship Volunteer Day” will be held on Saturday, October 20, from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., starting at the intersection of Husker Hollow Road and Tunnelville Road near La Farge.
SCHEDULE
10:00 a.m. Coffee with “Stumpdodgers”
10:30 a.m. Guided native species hike with Armund Bartz, WiDNR biologist
11:30 a.m. Woodland restoration basics with Levi Plath, of Mississippi Valley Conservancy
12:30 p.m. Local Lunch – as good as it gets
1:15 p.m. Woodland restoration
The event will kick off with coffee and legends of the days when the promise of prosperity inspired workers to tunnel right through the largest hill between Viola and La Farge. They did it to make way for the railroad iron horse known as “The Stumpdodger.” Several local neighbors of the Tunnelville Cliffs property will be on hand to share local history. Special guest Armund Bartz, Wisconsin DNR biologist, will lead a hike to identify native species on the land. After the hike, Levi Plath, land manager at Mississippi Valley Conservancy, will teach the basics of woodland restoration, followed by a locally prepared lunch of chili and cornbread. Attendees are asked to join Levi in restoring a woodland hillside for a couple of hours after lunch, in Stumpdodger style!
This event is made possible in part through the support of Valley Stewardship Network and Viroqua Area Foundation.
To be sure Levi has enough equipment for the day please sign up by October 16. Call 608-784-3606 ext. 5 or email levi@mississippivalleyconservancy.org
Directions:
From Viroqua, take Hwy 56 East about 4.5 miles and turn left on Hwy 82. Continue on Hwy 82 for about 6.5 miles and turn right onto County Road SS. Continue on SS for about 2 miles and turn left on Tunnelville Road. Proceed about 1/3 mile to the intersection with Husker Hollow Rd. Park along roadside at the intersection where the event will begin.
About Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Founded in 1997, Mississippi Valley Conservancy is a nationally accredited regional land trust that has permanently protected more than 20,000 acres of scenic lands in southwestern Wisconsin by working with private landowners, businesses and local communities on voluntary conservation projects. The focus of the Conservancy is to conserve the forests, prairies, wetlands, streams and farms that support native wildlife and enrich communities, for the health and well-being of current and future generations. Learn more about programs, services, events, volunteer opportunities, and membership at www.MississippiValleyConservancy.org.