The Groundswell community is connecting people with nature–and each other! Here’s some of what we’ve been up to recently…
Operation Fresh Start at Westport Prairie
Photo credit: Brandon Mann
It takes a lot of work to restore and maintain large natural areas like the one at Westport Prairie. So we’re very lucky to have friends like this group from Operation Fresh Start’s Conservation Academy come help when they can! These hardworking young folks removed a lot of invasive brush that otherwise might have spread into the native prairie nearby. Thanks so much, OFS crew!
Learn more about OFS here.
Seed Collecting at Westport Prairie
Photo credit: Amanda Dambrink
Speaking of prairie restoration, thank you to everyone who helped collects seed this fall! After gathering lots and lots of seeds by hand, Groundswell staff and volunteers sort and process the seeds to get them ready for planting. This winter we’ll be planting several acres along Bong Road, so check out our progress the next time you drive by Westport Prairie!
Stay tuned: In the next week or so we’ll be sending out information about how you can help spread seed with us at Westport with us this winter. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s pretty easy, too! If you’d like to get involved, let us know on our website.
CoolBot Workshop at Westport Farm
Photo credit: Sam Douglass
Did you know that you can build your own outdoor cooler using a trailer and a window AC unit?? CoolBot coolers offer an affordable cold storage option for many farmers. And having a cooler on site makes it possible to keep fruits and veggies fresh long enough to be able to sell them at local stores and farmers markets.
Farmers from across the state got to learn how to build these coolers at a recent workshop co-hosted by Groundswell at Westport Farm. Thank you to our partners, WI Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, Fair Share CSA, and Marbleseed, for making this event possible!
Black Hawk Ridge Trail Run
Photo credit: Roberta Herschleb
Each October, the trails at Black Hawk Ridge fill with runners who appreciate a good challenge and a great view. This year, the weather for the Trail Run was better than we could have hoped—as was the lunch of soup and grilled cheese sandwiches waiting at the finish line! A BIG thanks goes to Willi Van Haren, Sherren Clark, and Gail Van Haren for coordinating this event that so many of us look forward to every year!
Celebrating Conservation at Bjugstad Farms
Photo credit: Ben Lam
In late October we joined the Bjugstad family, friends, and partners to celebrate a 189-acre easement near Evansville, WI. This easement will protect farmland and wildlife habitat and provide access to outdoor recreation! Additional funds for this project come from the Bjugstad family, the Rock County PACE Program, the Rock River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and American Farmland Trust.
Hiring a New Director of Major & Planned Gifts
Photo credit: Ben Jones
We’re looking for a new Director of Major & Planned Gifts! This person will be responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing Groundswell’s development plan to support its programs and operations. If you or anyone you know would like to learn about the position, please follow this link.
We’re very grateful for the support of our Groundswell community, and that includes you! Whether you attend or sponsor a field trip, rent farmland, volunteer your time, make a donation, or own a conservation easement, you’re helping to protect special places. Thank you!