Cate Harrington

Cate retired after 33 years with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2023, most recently as the Wisconsin program’s Director of Marketing and Communications. In that role, she led a great team that helped advance TNC’s work to connect people with nature and protect critical lands and waters in Wisconsin, the Great Lakes region, and beyond. Cate received her MA in Spanish language & linguistics and her MA in journalism & mass communications from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She enjoys traveling, birding, volunteering on Groundswell’s communications committee, and spending time outdoors with her husband, John, and their English springer spaniel, Tanner.

Laura Hanson

For nearly three decades, Laura has worked to improve systems and organizations through various leadership roles advocating for self-determination, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities and older adults. She currently works as a project manager at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Eligibility and Enrollment Policy. Laura has previously served on the Board of InControl Wisconsin for three terms and on the Board for Community Shares as a representative from Disability Rights Wisconsin. She also volunteered on Groundswell Conservancy’s Community Committee before becoming a board member. Laura has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, and she recently obtained a Graduate Certification at Edgewood College in the Social Innovation and Sustainable Leadership program. She lives in the Town of Dunn with her husband, two college-aged children, and two mischievous cats.  When she’s not in her garden, she’s out hiking and foraging, studying herbalism, or going to concerts with her kids.

Davin Lopez

Davin Lopez has been with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) since 2005. In 2011 he joined the WDNR’s Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation (formerly Endangered Resources), where some of his main duties are to serve as the state Whooping Crane reintroduction coordinator and the state lead for the Kirtland’s Warbler conservation project. Previously, Davin was in the WDNR’s Chronic Wasting Disease program where he started as a field technician and eventually took over as the statewide coordinator. He has also worked at Colorado State University as a lab technician in a malaria research lab and as a zookeeper at the Denver and Pueblo Zoos. Davin grew up in Denver, Colorado, has bachelor’s degrees in biology and anthropology from New Mexico State University, and did his master’s degree work in population ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Rachel Snyder

Rachel is the Senior Director of Gift Planning and Agreements for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to her position with UWM, she was a Senior Associate Attorney with Stafford Rosenbaum LLP where she worked with clients on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and nonprofit advising. She also served for several years as a staff attorney with the Wisconsin Legislative Council, working on a range of issues including education, family welfare, state tribal relations, tax, and tourism. Rachel received a bachelor’s degree in history and business administration from Ripon College and a J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School. Rachel also currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Road Home Dane County and as a member of the Old World Foundation Advisory Committee.

Farmland is essential for everyone, but many people who want to grow food can’t get land. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), recent immigrants (New Americans), and emerging farmers face many challenges to owning farmland. Our goal is to help these farmers find affordable farmland near Madison through the Buy, Protect, Sell program.

In this program, we buy farmland, protect it with an agricultural conservation easement, and sell it to an emerging farmer. The easement stops development on the land, keeping it for farming. By removing development rights, the future sale price is lower, making it more affordable for farmers. This helps them invest in their farms and build a sustainable business.

We can’t do this alone. We are working with American Farmland Trust and other organizations to launch and maintain this program. Funding is crucial ]for success. Thank you to the Racine Dominicans and Forward Community Investments for their generous $50,000 Racine Dominican Mission Grant. Groundswell is proud to be one of ten grantees!

Hooray! This spring, we broke ground on a well for Pasley’s Swan Creek Farm. Groundswell leases the farm to Neighborhood Food Solutions, who has had to use chlorinated municipal water for the past five growing seasons. Well water is preferred for a variety of reasons, including how it is financially sustainable for farmers and Groundswell.

We would like to thank the Mayor of Fitchburg, Julia Arata-Fratta; Alder Gabriella Gerhardt; and Fitchburg’s Resource Conservation Commission for championing a city ordinance amendment that made it possible to drill the well. We are also grateful for support from Dane County Supervisor Dana Pellebon and Representative Samba Baldeh. The project was sponsored by nearly $50,000 in generous grants from the American Family Insurance Institute for Community and Social Impact, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and the Alliant Energy Foundation.

The Bjugstad farm is located between Evansville and Janesville in Rock County. This June, Groundswell received a $492,900 grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to help fund an easement on the farm.

This 189-acre easement will permanently protect prime farmland while keeping the farm ownership in Brian and Renee Bjugstad’s family.

In 2020, Groundswell worked with Brian’s parents, Oscar and Norma Bjugstad, to protect their farm. Now, we have the chance to help Brian and his wife Renee protect their farm for future generations.

The Bjugstad easement will support Rock County agriculture and the local economy. It will also protect wildlife habitat and provide public access for outdoor activities like hunting, trapping, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

Additional funds for this project come from the Bjugstad family, the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program, American Farmland Trust, the Rock County Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) program, and the Rock River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever.

The days are getting shorter, the nights are a bit cooler, and the fireflies no longer light up the night sky. Even though I’m not quite ready for summer to be over, there’s a lot to look forward to in the fall. While some may be excited for pumpkin-spiced lattes, flannel shirts, and apple picking (sometimes all on the same day), I’m most excited about the changes in nature! Now that fall has begun, let’s take this opportunity to see what’s happening out in nature!

When you think of flowers in bloom, it’s not uncommon to think of spring or summer, but I think fall has some of the best flower displays around. The landscape is beginning to turn purple and yellow with all of the asters and goldenrods blooming. These opposites on the color wheel make them complementary colors and they truly do complement one another.

If you know where to look, you may be lucky enough to find some downy gentian (pictured above) which only adds to the landscape’s color palette.

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?

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.

Lastly, I’ll leave you with this photo of a baby meadow vole that we found out at Patrick Marsh while collecting prairie seed with volunteers. If you haven’t noticed, we find a lot of really cool stuff while out doing habitat restoration, so this is my plug to come out and join us if you’re not already signed up! We also found a large praying mantis on the same morning!

The vole was so young that its eyes had not yet opened. Since it was right on the trail, I carefully picked it up and moved it just a short distance away in the prairie. It was squeaking so I know momma vole will be able to find it.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this month’s nature update and I’ll see you next month!

We have exciting news to share! I am pleased to announce that Heidi Habeger has been chosen as the permanent Executive Director of Groundswell Conservancy.

At the end of July, Angela West Blank, the former Executive Director, left Groundswell Conservancy to take a new position as Senior Development Director with Emerge America. Emerge is a national organization that recruits and trains women to run for political office and creates a more inclusive democracy.

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I’d like to express our gratitude to Angela for all that the organization accomplished under her leadership.

Heidi stepped in as interim executive director on August 1st and assumed the role of permanent executive director on September 5th. Heidi’s passion for Groundswell’s mission has been unwavering for the past 14 years. She’s played a leadership role in strengthening Groundswell’s relationships with supporters, volunteers, partners and landowners. Her institutional knowledge of the organization along with the board and staff’s trust allows her to hit the ground running.

In addition, Heidi’s vision for Groundswell is strong and well-aligned with past and future goals. She wants the organization to be a leader in innovative land protection and equitable access to land; she wants Groundswell to continue to provide the many lasting benefits of open space to all; and she is ready to roll up her sleeves and dive into the hard work needed to achieve all this.

Heidi started at Groundswell in April 2010 as the part-time membership coordinator. She then served as the membership & outreach manager before being promoted in 2015 to her most recent role as director of major and planned gifts. For the last 9 years she has led Groundswell’s private fundraising, outreach, and communication programs. Fundraising by staff and board tripled under Heidi’s leadership.

“I’m honored that the board entrusted me to lead this organization that I love and have worked long and hard to help grow. I’m excited about the tremendous opportunities we have to protect our special places, forever.”

Many people reached out to me to share their strong support for Heidi as Executive Director. Mike Foy, a former employee and current Groundswell volunteer, said something that captures, for me, a primary reason the Board unanimously selected Heidi for this role.

“Heidi is the living, breathing heart of the organization. She exudes a personal warmth and professional passion for Groundswell and everyone associated with the organization.  In turn, this engenders passion from the community to support and further the organization.”

With her wealth of experience, her strong work ethic, and her natural skill at creating strong and trusting relationships with staff, supporters and partners, we are excited about the progress we will make under Heidi’s leadership.

Join me in thanking Heidi for stepping up into this critical role. As Groundswell moves into this exciting new chapter, we thank you for your continued support.

To a world filled with green places,

We are reaching out to kindly request your assistance in conserving the habitat and wildlife at Patrick Marsh.

Recently, there has been unauthorized mowing of trails at Patrick Marsh. While we appreciate the intention to maintain the trails, some of these activities don’t align with our carefully developed management plan and could negatively impact the wildlife and their habitat.

If you know who might be mowing the trails, please let us know at 608-258-9797 or admin@groundswellconservancy.org. Our goal is to work with this person to ensure that the trails are maintained in a way that aligns with our conservation plans and protects this special place for future generations of people and wildlife.

Unfortunately, a new, unauthorized path has been mowed through a restored prairie. This path is potentially a threat to the prairie habitat, and we are concerned about the potential long-term damage. The more foot traffic this path receives, the harder it will be to restore the prairie. To prevent further harm, we have placed signs at this path and kindly ask all visitors to not use it. All of the other trails are still open and we hope you continue enjoying Patrick Marsh!

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to protecting special places, forever.

It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that Ann Vaj’s last day with Groundswell will be August 27th. We thank her for her hard work and passion in supporting HMoob farmers across Wisconsin.

This means we are looking to hire an Outreach & Technical Assistance Manager.

Bi-lingual and bi-cultural in English and HMoob is a requirement for this position. 

As with all staff at Groundswell, this employee will help build lasting relationships with people and partners that enable us to create a world where everyone can enjoy nature and equitable access to land.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), USDA-funded position with paid benefits including health and dental insurance, annual and sick leave, and retirement.

Check out the full job description to learn more. The application deadline is August 31, 2024. The position must start by October 1, 2024.

To Apply:

Please email a resume and cover letter via email in one PDF format to Yimmuaj Yang, Community Director at yimmuaj@groundswellconservancy.org. In the subject line include Outreach & TA Manager. The cover letter should summarize your interest and qualifications for this position.

Cate Harrington retired after 33 years with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2023, most recently as the Wisconsin program’s Director of Marketing and Communications. In that role, she led a great team that helped advance TNC’s work to connect people with nature and protect critical lands and waters in Wisconsin, the Great Lakes region, and beyond. Cate received her MA in Spanish language & linguistics and her MA in journalism & mass communications from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She enjoys traveling, birding, volunteering on Groundswell’s communications committee, and spending time outdoors with her husband, John, and their English springer spaniel, Tanner. 

Davin Lopez has been with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) since 2005. In 2011 he joined the WDNR’s Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation (formerly Endangered Resources), where some of his main duties are to serve as the state Whooping Crane reintroduction coordinator and the state lead for the Kirtland’s Warbler conservation project. Previously, Davin was in the WDNR’s Chronic Wasting Disease program where he started as a field technician and eventually took over as the statewide coordinator. He has also worked at Colorado State University as a lab technician in a malaria research lab and as a zookeeper at the Denver and Pueblo Zoos. Davin grew up in Denver, Colorado, has bachelor’s degrees in biology and anthropology from New Mexico State University, and did his master’s degree work in population ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

For nearly three decades, Laura Hanson has worked to improve systems and organizations through various leadership roles advocating for self-determination, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities and older adults. She currently works as a project manager at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Eligibility and Enrollment Policy. Laura has previously served on the Board of InControl Wisconsin for three terms and on the Board for Community Shares as a representative from Disability Rights Wisconsin. She also volunteered on Groundswell Conservancy’s Community Committee before becoming a board member. Laura has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, and she recently obtained a Graduate Certification at Edgewood College in the Social Innovation and Sustainable Leadership program. She lives in the Town of Dunn with her husband, two college-aged children, and two mischievous cats. When she’s not in her garden, she’s out hiking and foraging, studying herbalism, or going to concerts with her kids.

Rachel Snyder is the Senior Director of Gift Planning and Agreements for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to her position with UWM, she was a Senior Associate Attorney with Stafford Rosenbaum LLP where she worked with clients on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and nonprofit advising. She also served for several years as a staff attorney with the Wisconsin Legislative Council, working on a range of issues including education, family welfare, state tribal relations, tax, and tourism. Rachel received a bachelor’s degree in history and business administration from Ripon College and a J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School. Rachel also currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Road Home Dane County and as a member of the Old World Foundation Advisory Committee. 

Somehow, we’re already halfway through summer and I’m having a hard time accepting that.  In my mind, it’s still spring but when I see the wild bergamot in my front yard starting to go to seed, I know it’s definitely not still spring.  While there’s still plenty of summer to enjoy, let’s take this opportunity to see what’s happening out in nature!

While at Patrick Marsh with our outdoor volunteers, we accidentally flushed a female mallard sitting on a nest.  It had seven perfect eggs in a cozy little nest filled with dead grass and down feathers.

When most people think of prairies, they tend to think of flowers, butterflies, and tall grasses blowing in the breeze.  A duck nest doesn’t usually fit the bill, so to speak.  Mallards however are one of a few different species of waterfowl that nest in prairies that are next to water.

While out on a trail, be sure to watch where you’re walking.  This little guy almost got stepped on and he wasn’t too happy about it!  Never in my life have I met a more grumpy-looking toad.  Shortly after placing the toad off of the trail (and apologizing), I found another but it was about the size of a thumbnail.  Out of curiosity I looked into the life cycle of toads and learned an amazing fact.  Apparently, the stage after tadpole but before adult toad is called toadlet, which sounds like a word my son made up.

Unlike the grumpy toad, this gray treefrog I found at Westport Prairie seemed pretty happy!  Maybe it was because I didn’t almost step on it.  When I think of treefrogs, I think of rainforests in South America and definitely not Wisconsin.

We have two different species of treefrog and the way they’re able to survive our winters is by producing glycerol which acts as a natural anti-freeze.  It prevents ice crystals from forming so they essentially hibernate all winter long without freezing.  It’s not how I would want to spend my winter, but I’m glad it works for the treefrogs!

Lastly, I’ll leave you with this photo of a dog-day cicada emerging from its exoskeleton.  When I first found it in the grass, it was halfway out of the shell, and over the course of 15-20 minutes, it slowly wiggled free.  It was both extremely creepy and exciting to watch.  I often find these little brown exoskeletons clinging to trees or on the sidewalks, but they’re always empty.  This was the first time I got to watch the process!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this month’s nature update and I’ll see you next month!