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 Conservancy 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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Before we leave 2025 behind us forever, we`d like to recognize the 80th anniversary of the Brooklyn State Wildlife Area!
This special place is located in southern Dane and northern Green counties between the villages of Oregon, Brooklyn, and Belleville. Initiated in 1945 by the former Wisconsin Conservation Department to help meet the growing demands of returning WWII veterans for outdoor recreation, the project is managed by @wi_dnr and provides nearly 4,000 acres of land for wildlife habitat and public recreation—all less than an hour`s drive from Madison.
Historically inhabited by the Ho-Chunk peoples, these lands were subsequently made available for habitat and public use due to the generosity of local farm families. Many of these farms still buffer the wildlife area from encroaching development under agricultural conservation easements funded by the state`s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and various USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service grants.
With 3.5+ miles of Ice Age Trail corridor and nearly 5 miles of Story Creek trout stream frontage, Groundswell Conservancy is proud to have partnered with the DNR in helping to permanently protect this beautiful property. Happy 80th Anniversary, Brooklyn Wildlife Area!
#brooklynwildlifearea #wisconsindnr #groundswellconservancy #landprotection #conservation
Farmland sustains us all. We must protect it. 😍 Here`s the brand new sign that celebrates the visionary efforts of Brian and Renee Bjugstad to protect 189 acres of prime farmland on their multi-generational family farm in Rock County. This easement ensures the land will remain undeveloped, preserving it for farming while also allowing public access for hunting, hiking, and other nature-based outdoor activities.
Help ensure farmers can keep growing food in Wisconsin with a year-end gift to Groundswell at the link in our bio or on our website at: groundswellconservancy.org/donate
Partners in this project include Groundswell, Rock County Land Conservation Department, the Wisconsin DNR, the Rock River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, & American Farmland Trust. A special shoutout to Mike Foy, Land Protection Volunteer at Groundswell, and Brian Buenzow (Rock River Valley Pheasants Forever) pictured above.
Happy Solstice! Here’s to walking toward more light each day, but also finding peaceful moments and discovery in the winter darkness.
“To Know the Dark”
by Wendell Berry
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings, and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
📷: @bj.byers
🌱 It was a GREAT year for our prairies! Thanks to all of our amazing volunteers and staff for tending to the land, collecting and planting seeds, and restoring acres of empire prairie. What a gift to future generations!
#conservation #prairierestoration #climateactionnow #danecounty #landstewardship
📷: @marioquintanaphotography and Roberta Herschleb
🛷 🦌 Could have used a few reindeer as we headed out with tools to burn brush at Westport Prairie! #conservation #prairierestoration #landtrust #groundswellconservancy #sleddingfun
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: This is a paid internship! For over 15 years, Prairie Partners interns have helped restore valuable wildlife habitat while gaining professional experience in conservation. Many interns have gone on to achieve great things at other land trusts, the DNR, local environmental contractors, and graduate school. If you know someone who might be a good fit, please sent them to our careers page to find more information. Link in our bio, or, https://bit.ly/prairiepartners
Partners include: @wi_dnr, @@iceagetrailorg, and Riverland Conservancy
#conservation #landprotection #wisconsinconservation #habitatprotection #madisonwisconsin
Here`s Team Groundswell at our recent strategic planning meeting (minus Jen). We`re looking forward to sharing the results of this process in the coming months. LOTS of exciting work ahead! #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #landprotection #landtrust #conservation
Thanks to @staffordrosenbaum and former Groundswell board member, Chris Hughes, for hosting us in your conference space!
“Giving monthly to Groundswell Conservancy is our way of staying connected to the land and community we love. We believe in protecting green spaces not just for today, but for future generations to explore, learn, and find peace in nature. Supporting Groundswell’s mission every month feels like planting seeds and knowing that together we’re helping Wisconsin’s special places thrive.”
-Sara, Jon, & Louis Giacalone, Monthly Sustainers
Shout out to our monthly sustainers, including Sara, Jon, & Louis! Giving monthly means you can feel great providing ongoing support for protecting special places in your community. It`s easy to set up, too. Just choose donation type "Monthly," and pick any amount that works for you at the "DONATE" link in our bio. 💚
#ConservationInAction #Sustainer #madisonwisconsin #habitatprotection #wisconsinconservation
