The environmental issues facing our world have never been greater – our climate is changing, farmland is disappearing, not everyone has good access to land, wildlife habitat is vanishing, and people are losing their connections with the outdoors. Groundswell is pushing back. With the help of our supporters, landowners, partners and volunteers, we are taking on big issues with focus and resolve. Acre by acre we are getting results.
With your help, we restore and care for our local natural landscapes for communities to enjoy and wildlife to thrive. No experience is necessary, and we provide the tools for the job.
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From BJ`s latest Nature Update:
"While out collecting prairie seed with our trusty outdoor volunteers, we stumbled upon at least a dozen of these yellow garden spiders (pictured above). They’re pretty harmless (unless you’re a grasshopper) so I usually just walk around them.
Every time I see the yellow and black on these spiders, I think of those ink blot tests and I always see something new. On this one, I can see a black cat with yellow eyes. What do you see?"
To receive BJ`s full nature updates and to stay up to date with Groundswell news, visit our website to sign up for our emails or check out our blog!
📷: BJ Byers
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #conservation #spider
Wow, what an awesome turnout to our seed-collecting event at Westport Prairie!
Thank you to everyone who came to help. These seeds will go toward planting 7.5 acres at Westport Prairie.
📷: Ben Lam
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #conservation #westportprairie #prairie #seed #seedcollecting
From BJ`s latest Nature Update:
"As we get ready to settle into the colder months, many different species of wildlife are too. While out on a hike, I found some evidence of a critter that was snacking on some hickory nuts at the base of a tree. These nuts are high in fat which is great for a small mammal prepping for the cold."
The hole at the bottom of the tree was undoubtedly the home entrance of the sneaky snacker, and while I didn’t get a glimpse of it, I’m fairly certain it was a chipmunk. I can’t rule out a red squirrel, but I did see chipmunks in the area so that’s my guess.
To receive BJ`s full nature updates and to stay up to date with Groundswell news, visit our website to sign up for our emails or check out our blog!
📷: BJ Byers
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #conservation #danecounty
Our summer newsletter is out! All of our newsletters can be found on our website. Check the link in our bio.
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #conservation #newsletter #summer #patrickmarsh
Come be a part of conservation where you live! We need your help in collecting prairie seeds at Westport Prairie. You can look out at the future restored prairie and say, "I helped make that!".
We`ll have a seed collecting event on Wednesday, October 9th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Let us know that you`re coming so we can send you information closer to the event. You can register by visiting our events page.
📷: Ben Lam & BJ Byers
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #conservation #prairie #prairieseed #seedcollecting #westportprairie #westport
Thank you to @ofsmadison Conservation Academy crew for helping us remove invasive brush at Westport Prairie this week!
Partnerships like this make conservation where you live, possible.
📷: Ben Lam & Brandon Mann
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #conservation #westportprairie #prairie #ofs #operationfreshstart
On our last field trip to Westport Prairie, trip attendees saw a female praying mantis. Mario (volunteer photographer) didn`t see it, so he was determined to look for it after the field trip. 30 minutes later - Mario finds not only the female mantis, but a male too!
📷: Mario Quintana
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #mantis #westportprairie #prairie #conservation
Prairie restoration takes a lot of work and time! Here`s a behind the scenes look at some of the seeds being dried.
Big thanks to staff and volunteers who help collect and process these.
📷: BJ Byers
#groundswellconservancy #conservationwhereyoulive #conservation #prairie #prairieseed #seed
