Lower Kickapoo Valley Birding Hike

Summer birdwatching hike offered by Mississippi Valley Conservancy at recently

protected property in Crawford County

LA CROSSE, WI – A free, guided woodland hike is being offered by Mississippi Valley
Conservancy for anyone who wants the opportunity to learn about and view rare birds such as
the vesper sparrow, the least flycatcher, and the cerulean warbler. Over 75 species of birds have
been documented at the Plum Creek Conservation Area, and participants will be part of the first
public viewing of this recently protected property near the town of Wauzeka, Wisconsin. From
8:30-10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 15 th , the hike is part of the Conservancy’s “Linked to the Land”
program, with outdoor experiences offered on the many nature preserves it protects for wildlife
habitat, scenic beauty, outdoor learning and recreation in the Driftless Area. The program is
sponsored by Olson Solar Energy and WXOW News19.
Local expert guides will discuss the many ways this protected property provides a refuge for rare
and threatened species and they will assist hikers in identifying a variety of nesting birds. “These
protected areas, now enlarged by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy purchase, support one of
the highest concentrations of rare forest-interior breeding birds in southern Wisconsin, including
many considered high conservation priorities in eastern North America,” Craig Thompson of the
WI-DNR said. Some binoculars (about a dozen) will be available for those who would like to
borrow them on this hike. The hike is considered to be of medium difficulty, due to uneven
terrain and some rugged trails.
Located in Crawford County near Wauzeka, the Plum Creek Conservation Area’s property
includes over five and a half miles of frontage along the west bank of the Kickapoo River and
over two miles along both banks of Plum Creek, a Class I trout stream. It is next to DNR’s 1,927-
acre Kickapoo Wildlife Area-Wauzeka Unit that includes the 635-acre Kickapoo Wild Woods
State Natural Area.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by June 10 on the events
page at www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events. Hike confirmation and driving directions
will be sent several days before the hike to all who have registered. With any questions, contact
Karen Solverson at karen@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by June 10 on the events
page at www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events. Hike confirmation and driving directions
will be sent several days before the hike to all who have registered. With any questions, contact
Karen Solverson at karen@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8.