Events
All event profits go toward Valley Stewardship Network’s conservation efforts in the Driftless region and beyond!
Join us for an afternoon pasture walk followed by a lovely dinner. Music by local artists Sweet Milk and Peaches.
Tickets avabilable here:VSN | June 2026 Pasture Walk and Dinner | Tixtree
Conservation on Tap
“Fire Ecology & Implementation for Landowners in the Driftless”
Conservation on Tap
“Collaborative Conservation Through Managed Grazing: How The Tainter Creek Community Came Together to Tackle Phosphorus in Their Water”
In this presentation Lexi (Schank) Wellman will share the story of the Tainter Creek Grazing project and how the watershed community came together to tackle phosphorus in their watershed, gaining a bounty of additional successes for both individual farmers and their community. Members of the Tainter Creek producer-led watershed council recognized a need for a conservation transformation on their agricultural lands and came together with support from Valley Stewardship Network, Wallace Center’s Pasture Project, Vernon County Land & Water, UW-Madison, and others to co-create a conservation plan which would support local producers and have downstream benefits for the Tainter Creek community and beyond. This plan centered around an increase in well-managed grazing practices and was made possible by immense cooperation and dedication from the community. Now several years after the project officially ended, Lexi will share a comprehensive analysis of how the practices implemented in the Tainter Creek watershed impacted phosphorus in the water. Lexi will highlight success stories, share lessons learned, and leave plenty of room for the audience to input their own experiences as we continue to co-create positive change in the Tainter Creek watershed and beyond.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, March 3, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615
Conservation on Tap
“Bumble Bees and Controlled Burns in Wisconsin Tallgrass Prairie”
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 – 6:00 pm
The February 3, 2026, Conservation on Tap environmental presentation series will be a discussion of “Bumble Bees and Controlled Burns in Wisconsin Tallgrass Prairie.” We have nearly 500 species of bees in Wisconsin, approximately 20 of which are bumble bees. We are even lucky enough to be home to a Federally endangered species, the Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis)! Join Jade Kochanski, pollinator ecologist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for a Conservation on Tap presentation to learn how prairie restoration and controlled burns are used for bumble bee conservation.
Jade (she/her) is an insect ecologist and specializes in bumble bee conservation and tallgrass prairie restoration. She is fascinated by bumble bee life history, nesting habitat, and their responses to local and landscape factors and how these insects intersect with people’s lives. Jade is finishing a PhD with the UW-Madison Department of Integrative Biology, where she aims to answer scientific questions through interdisciplinary collaborations and to make research accessible and relevant to more than just the scientific community. Her favorite insect is Spring Treetop Flasher firefly.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, February 3, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615.
Conservation on Tap
“Bald Eagle Status and Monitoring in Wisconsin”
Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 – 6:00 pm
WDNR Wildlife Biologist Daniel Goltz will discuss DNR eagle surveys, eagle health issues, and contaminant monitoring via the Wisconsin Bald Eagle Bio-Sentinel Program. He will also present eaglet development in the nest, prey items, and nest tree characteristics.
Daniel Goltz grew up in central Wisconsin and has always been interested in wildlife and raptors in particular. After college at UW – Green Bay, he worked in Hawaii for ten years and then moved to Viroqua. He has worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the WDNR since 2008.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, November 4, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615.
25th Anniversary Evening Celebration
Viroqua Temple Theatre
Saturday, October 11th, 2025, 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Evening Celebration at the Temple Theatre
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
Conservation on Tap
“Butterfly Ecology and Conservation in Wisconsin”
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 – 6:00 pm
The Conservation on Tap environmental presentation series returns on October 7th, 2025, with a talk about “Butterfly Ecology and Conservation in Wisconsin.” We invite you to join Dr. Skye Bruce for an engaging look at the butterflies that call Wisconsin home. From the monarchs that migrate thousands of miles to lesser-known species tied closely to our prairies and woodlands, butterflies tell powerful stories about the health of our ecosystems. This talk will explore their life cycles, habitat needs, and the conservation challenges they face while highlighting how each of us can play a role in supporting their survival.
Dr. Bruce earned her PhD in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with a research focus on butterfly conservation and ecology in Wisconsin’s protected and pastured grasslands. She has previously worked as the coordinator for the Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative. Dr. Bruce lives on her family’s vegetable and flower seed farm on Rush Creek and enjoys planting and maintaining new prairie patches around her farm.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, October 7, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.\
Fundraising Event
Sittin Pretty Farm, Viroqua WI
Friday, September 25th, 2025, 5:00 pm
Help us celebrate 25 years by eating pizza at Sittin Pretty Farm! We’ll be the non-profit for the evening. You’ll be helping support environmental protection of your local watersheds, improving the quality of the water, preserving wildlife habitat, increasing native plantings, developing regenerative agriculture, and building community support systems!
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
Steve Kenyon 2025 Grazing Workshop
Graze with Purpose: Resilient Systems for Healthy Herds and Land
S5724 Olson Ln, Viroqua, WI
Tuesday, August 19th, 2025, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
2025 Pasture Walk and Farmer Panel
S4993 Volden Ln, Genoa, WI
Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
25th Anniversary Festival
Viroqua VFW
Saturday, June 28th, 2025, 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm
25th Anniversary Festival
– Speaker Curt Meine – Aldo Leopold’s biographer
– Presenter Teri Allendorf – Executive Director of Community Conservation
– Education stations
– Demonstrations: Stream table and rainfall simulator
– Kids’ Activities: crafts, bouncy house
– Food, live music, and dance party
– Raffle
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
“Native Plants – Plant One in Your Backyard“
Thursday, June 12th, 2025, 3:30 pm
Children’s Program at the McIntosh Memorial Library
Children will learn about the importance of native plants with Genesis Gordon, Valley Stewardship Networks’ Conservation Outreach Specialist. Then they will have the opportunity to plant their own native seedling (Black-Eyed Susan) to take home and grow! This activity is planned for children ages 5-9. Registration is required through the library. Call 608-637-7151 to register.
This presentation is part of our programming partnership with the McIntosh Memorial Library and will be held in the library courtyard at 205 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI.
For more information, visit the Viroqua Library website at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, email at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call 608-637-3615.
Viroqua Chamber Beer Walk
Saturday, May 31st, 2025, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Stop by our office during the 5th Annual Viroqua Beer Walk on Saturday, May 31, 2025, 6:00 – 9:00 pm!
We’ll have craft beer for you to taste. Purchase a Valley Stewardship Network pint glass to use for the evening while supporting your favorite Main Street environmental non-profit! Enjoy the watershed artwork of local artist Thomas Wyse on our walls. Make merry with friends and strangers at this fun community event!
Visit the Viroqua Chamber Event Calendar to purchase tickets: Beer Walk Tickets.
Non-alcoholic beverages also available.
For additional information, email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call 608-637-3615.
“Gray Wolves of Wiscconsin“
Thursday, May 29th, 2025, 5:30 pm
McIntosh Memorial Library, 205 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI
The gray wolf has a fascinating history in Wisconsin, from extirpation by the mid-1900s to population recovery and expansion over the past 40 years. Scott Walter will demystify wolves by discussing what we know about their history in Wisconsin, and address contemporary biological, social and policy issues relevant to their future here.
About Scott: Wisconsin native Scott Walter served for 3 years as the large carnivore specialist for the Wisconsin DNR, and currently works as the Ecological Monitoring Coordinator for VSN. He holds a doctorate in wildlife ecology from UW-Madison, and lives on a seven-generation family farm in Richland County.
Water Action Volunteer Training
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 3, 2025 – 10:00 am – noon
“Planting for the Birds“
Thursday, April 10th, 2025, 5:30 pm
The McIntosh Memorial Library is excited to present an important environmental program, Planting for the Birds, with Ben Johnston, GIS and Habitat Specialist at Valley Stewardship Network, on Thursday, April 10th, at 5:30 PM in the Library Lobby. This event is part of a partnership between the library and Valley Stewardship Network and will focus on helping local bird populations thrive.
Over the past 50 years, bird populations across North America have declined by 25%. One of the key actions in reversing this trend is promoting the use of native plants, which provide essential food sources and habitat for birds. The Planting for the Birds presentation, led by Ben Johnston, will highlight habitat restoration practices and the importance of native plants in supporting bird survival.
Attendees will learn about simple yet impactful steps that landowners and homeowners can take to support local bird populations. The presentation will discuss general habitat concepts and offer practical advice for planting native species that benefit birds, including a look at specific plants that are essential for their well-being.
Conservation on Tap
“Getting Ready for What Comes Next: Strategies for Building Climate Resilience in the Driftless“
Tuesday, April 8th, 2025, 6:00 pm
Description: Join Ellen Voss, the River Alliance’s Climate Resilience Director, in a discussion of Wisconsin’s changing climate. In the Driftless, intense rainfall, extended summer droughts, and extreme flooding events have become commonplace, and aging infrastructure like roads, culverts, and dams built for a different climate reality are no longer up to the challenge. As we brace for the uncertainties that lie ahead, it can feel empowering to be prepared instead of being forced to react. Ellen will discuss how as a community we can prepare, respond, recover, and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate and provide practical strategies for how we can best prepare ourselves and our landscapes to be resilient to whatever comes next.
Prior to becoming River Alliance’s Climate Resilience Director, Ellen worked extensively throughout the United States, Africa, and South America with various state agencies, private organizations, and, most recently, UW-Madison’s Center for Limnology. She has an MS in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho.
Ellen and her husband Nick live on a small farm by Gays Mills. They spend their free time trying to tire out their pups Loki and Odin, fly fishing and paddling whenever the chance arises, and foraging for whatever’s in season.
If you’ve missed previous Conservation on Tap presentations, check out former programs on our YouTube channel: Valley Stewardship Network YouTube Channel
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
Conservation on Tap
“Standing on Soil Giants“
Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, 6:00 pm
Description: Join Taylor Henry for a presentation about his journey from entrepreneurship to regenerative agriculture in the heart of the Driftless Region. “Standing on Soil Giants” explores how rotational grazing of cattle and hogs forms the backbone of Henry’s operation, blending traditional wisdom with modern innovation to restore soil health and build a resilient farm ecosystem.
Taylor shares the pivotal moments that led him to acquire Acres U.S.A.® and relocate its headquarters to the Driftless Region, ensuring the legacy of regenerative agriculture continues to inspire and evolve. Drawing on lessons from Acres U.S.A.’s rich history, this talk unpacks the key principles that guide Henry’s approach to land management, livestock integration, and long-term soil regeneration.
He dives into the intersection of real estate and regenerative farming, offering a forward-looking perspective on building a profitable, sustainable operation in 2025. Whether you’re a farmer, investor, or land steward, this session will provide valuable insights on scaling a regenerative business, leveraging land assets, and creating a future rooted in ecological and financial success.
Bio: Taylor Henry is a Farmer, Entrepreneur, and Realtor. He is the owner of Henry Pastures and Acres U.S.A.®, carrying forward a regenerative farming legacy started by Charles Walters in 1971. A former police officer turned entrepreneur, Taylor’s passion for soil health, rotational grazing, and profitable land stewardship led him to build his own regenerative operation in the Driftless Region.
Managing over 200 acres across multiple farms, he integrates cattle and hogs into a holistic system while helping others acquire and develop land for regenerative use. Through Acres U.S.A. ®, he continues to educate and inspire himself and farmers nationwide.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, March 4, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
If you’ve missed previous Conservation on Tap presentations, check out former programs on our YouTube channel: Valley Stewardship Network YouTube Channel
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
Conservation on Tap
“Conserving Land from Beyond the Grave“
Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, 6:00 pm
Description:Landowners who devote a lifetime to caring for their wildlife habitat or improving their soils and farmland may wonder how to ensure their efforts can extend beyond their lifetime. Join Abbie Church, Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC) Conservation Director, to learn about permanent land protection through conservation easements with local land trust MVC.
Abbie will cover the fact and fiction around easement requirements; touch on local land-use trends; discuss conservation-easement benefits to wildlife, water quality, and soil conservation; and cover what the easement enrollment process entails. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from a local landowner, Tom Lukens, about his personal experience working with MVC to protect his land along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River.
Bio: Abbie Church’s diverse background brings 20+ years in natural resources conservation, having worked in the state, federal, private, and non-profit sectors. Early on, she realized her passion lies in working with private landowners to conserve wildlife habitat and farmland, and she joined the MVC team in 2007.
Abbie has been a Vernon County landowner since 2011. She and her partner Adam spend as much time outdoors on their land as they can. They keep busy with cutting firewood; gardening; hiking with dogs Hazelnut, Frank, and Sophie; and managing their land with prescribed burns, timber stand improvement, and endless invasive species control.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, February 4, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
If you’ve missed previous Conservation on Tap presentations, check out former programs on our YouTube channel: Valley Stewardship Network YouTube Channel
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
Conservation on Tap
“Bird Population Declines and How We Can Help“
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, 6:00 pm
Description: Our Executive Director, Beth Summers, will discuss causes of bird population declines, our local Important Bird Area and its importance in preserving bird populations, and actions you can take to help birds.
Bio: Beth Summers has a deep passion for preserving biological diversity. After receiving a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, she worked as an itinerant biologist, following her love of avian ecology to Australia, Nevada, California, Northern Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Florida. She earned an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she developed assessment models for bottomland hardwood forest restorations using avian and amphibian community metrics. She was employed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, where her work focused on assessment tools for headwater streams in Appalachia.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, December 3, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
Conservation on Tap
“Climate Change in the Driftless Area“
Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, 6:00 pm
Description: The Driftless Area has become warmer and wetter over the past several decades. Seasonal changes include increased temperatures, particularly in winter and spring, with fewer days of extreme cold. Precipitation has increased with more frequent, extreme rainfall events during the summer interspersed with periods of drought. Future climate scenarios suggest that these trends will continue.
Bio: Dr. Joan Bunbury is a professor of geography and environmental science at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She holds PhD, MSc, and BA degrees in geography from the University of Ottawa, Canada. Her research uses information stored in lake sediments to reconstruct past climate and past environmental conditions. Joan has conducted studies in the southwest Yukon Territory and Hudson Bay Lowland regions of northern Canada, and currently has projects underway in southeast Wisconsin. She is a self-proclaimed climate geek.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, November 12, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
Annual Member Meeting
Monday, November 4th, 2024, 5:00 pm
It’s time for our Annual Member Meeting on November 4th. If you’re not a member but would like to come find out more about Valley Stewardship Network, you can become a member the day of the event! Either way, please register by October 29th (see below).
We will have a buffet dinner featuring local grass-fed beef from Rod Ofte’s Willow Creek Ranch and processed locally at Nordik Meats. There will be updates about our programs and strategic plans; a Board member election; and a Silent Auction fundraiser, featuring items from local businesses, that will go toward our Community Outreach programs.
Join us Monday, November 4th, at the Viroqua Eagles Club (216 S. Rock Ave., in Viroqua) from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm. There will be live music by Shawn Neary during the social hour and dinner.
Registration is required for this event. Please email to register by October 29th at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615.
Conservation on Tap
“Grouse in the Mist (Little Trees Need Hugs Too!)“
Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, 6:00 pm
Description: Ruffed grouse were once a common avian species across southern Wisconsin, with very high densities in the Driftless Region. Since the 1980s, grouse numbers have declined in our area by over 90%. Scott Walter of Driftless Farms, LLC, will explore this decline in the context of forest ecology and discuss what may be done to encourage grouse and other wildlife species dependent upon young forest habitats.
Bio: Scott Walter fell in love with wildlife on his 8-generation family farm near Viola. He has a BS in Biology from Beloit College and an MS and PhD in Wildlife Ecology from UW-Madison. He has 23 years experience working in a variety of roles in academia (UW-Richland, UW-Platteville) and the Wisconsin DNR. He is currently working with his wife and kids to grow an organic maple syrup business on their farm.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, October 1, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
“Valley Stewardship Network Pizza Fundraising Night at Sittin Pretty Farm“
Friday, September 13th, 2024, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Come on up to the ridge and join us for Friday woodfired pizza loaded up with local ingredients and live music on the outdoor Big Wheel stage or up in the loft of the climate-controlled party barn. On this night, pizza will be served by Board members of Valley Stewardship Network. Gluten-free options are available. Please place your orders HERE before 5:oo pm that Friday night.
Sittin Pretty is the community outreach arm of a non-profit organization, Further Along, Inc. All proceeds from Sittin Pretty go towards support of Further Along, its 501(c)3 non-profit, and other local non-profits. The aim of Further Along is to expand humanity through nature, adventure learning, service, and community building. Read more about their story here.
“Driftless Prairie Restoration Workshop”
Monday, September 9th, 2024, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Learn more about when, where, and how to restore prairies at the Driftless Prairie Restoration Workshop at Nature Nooks Retreat: S4878 County Rd S, Viroqua, WI.
Specially geared toward landowners who are interested in planting prairie over several acres or more, this program is brought to you by a partnership between Valley Stewardship Network, the Wisconsin Monarch Collective, and Pheasants Forever.
For more information or to register, contact lromance@pheasantsforever.org, scan the QR code, or call 608-518-1674.
“Watershed Practices that can Improve the Health of Local Watersheds”
Thursday, August 8th, 2024, 5:30 pm
Conservation efforts are typically focused on habitat or plants and wildlife. Watershed-scale conservation promotes water quality and mitigation of impacts associated with runoff, in addition to habitat, plant, and wildlife improvements, throughout a watershed. Because everything within a watershed is connected, implementation of land-management practices at the headwaters or upper portions of a watershed can significantly improve conditions downstream.
Ben Johnston, Valley Stewardship Network’s Habitat Specialist, will define and give examples of how land-management practices can affect different levels of watersheds and describe practices that can improve conditions throughout watersheds.
The presentation will take place in the McIntosh Memorial Library lobby at 205 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI, at 5:30 pm on Thursday, August 8th.
This program is presented in partnership with the McIntosh Memorial Library. For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Learning About Chimney Swifts”
Thursday, July 11th, 2024, 5:30 pm
For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Construction of and Hunting with Primitive Bows and Arrows”
Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, 5:30 pm
Tuesday, July 9th, at 5:30 pm, please join us at the McIntosh Memorial Library for a presentation by Valley Stewardship Network Board Member Dave Van Dyke. He will be discussing the construction of primitive bows and arrows. Dave has 25 years of experience constructing these bows and arrows, first using power tools, then hand tools, and finally with stone tools! He has successfully used them for hunting deer, caribou, and bear.
The arrows have been made from birch or oak, and the bows have been made from elm and hickory and other woods. All the wood has been collected from trees on Dave’s farm. The more modern bows have been strung with linen, while the primitive bows have been strung with rawhide. Dave will show bows and arrows in various stages of construction and discuss the construction process and his hunting experiences.
For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Map Reading and Treasure Hunt for Children”
Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, 3:30 pm
Ben Johnston, Valley Stewardship Network GIS Specialist, will lead a Map Reading and Treasure Hunt program for children 6 and up at Eckhart Park in Viroqua, WI. Join us on Tuesday, July 9th, from 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm at the park. Registration is not required.
After learning how to handle, read, and understand maps, the children will use their maps to each find a mini treasure chest with prizes that they will get to keep.
For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Intro to Birding: Gathering Information to Name that Bird”
Thursday, June 13th, 2024, 5:30 pm
Our Habitat Specialist Ben Johnston will provide an introductory overview of basic bird characteristic and identification tips. Binoculars are not needed for the presentation. Our partner, McIntosh Memorial Library, will be hosting the event in their lobby at 205 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI.
Valley Stewardship Network Open House
Our office at 110 S. Main St, Viroqua, WI
Saturday, May 18, 2024 – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Drop by our office in downtown Viroqua to view our watershed artwork, meet members of our Board of Directors, participate in an EnviroScape Landscape Model demonstration, see examples of our conservation activities, and learn about land management best practices, as well as being able to purchase our watershed T-shirts, bird-friendly coffee, and bird-strike tape.
“7 Simple Actions to Help Birds”
Presentation at the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, WI
Thursday, May 9th, at 5:3o pm
In 2019, scientists documented North America’s staggering loss of nearly 3 billion breeding birds since 1970. Helping birds can be as simple as making changes to everyday habits.
Valley Stewardship Networks’ Ben Johnston, Habitat Specialist, will discuss 7 simple actions you can take to help birds. Why care about birds? Insect-eating birds protect farm crops, they help the economy through dollars generated by birdwatchers and hunters, natural bird habitat and song support human health, and protecting bird habitat helps preserve the natural environment and healthy ecosystems.
Water Action Volunteer (WAV) Training Sessions
Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 4:00 pm OR Saturday, April 27, 2024, 11:00 am
When: Training sessions will be Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 4:00 pm and Saturday, April 27, at 11:00 am. The training sessions will take a couple of hours.
Where: Sidie Hollow Vernon County Park – on the Park Office (north) side (not the boat landing/campground side).
Weather: We’ll proceed with a light rain but not a thunderstorm
RSVP: Please email Ben Johnston at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org with the date your are planning on attending.
We can also work out some other times for trainings if needed. There will also be another training opportunity in Wilton.
For additional information about the program, email Ben Johnston, our WAV Coordinator, at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
“What is WAV (Water Action Volunteer)?”
Thursday, April 4, 2024, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Every year we seek out people who enjoy being outside and who would like to spend a little time each month getting to know their local stream better by sampling the water quality. It’s an activity that’s fun to do with friends and family. Valley Stewardship Network provides the equipment and training. You just need to make some measurements and enter the data into a Wisconsin-wide database.
To learn more about the program, come to our information session at the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, WI, on April 4th at 5:30 pm. Or, you can watch an informational video about the program HERE.
For additional information about the program, email Ben Johnston, our WAV Coordinator, at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
Event Canceled Due to Inclement Weather!!
April Conservation on Tap
“Conserving Land from Beyond the Grave”
Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 7:00 pm
This event has been rescheduled to the fall.
Landowners who devote a lifetime to caring for their wildlife habitat or improving their soils and farmland may wonder how to ensure their efforts can extend beyond their lifetime. Join Abbie Church, Mississippi Valley Conservancy Conservation Director, to learn about permanent land protection through conservation easements with local land trust Mississippi Valley Conservancy. She will cover the fact and fiction around easement requirements; touch on local land-use trends; describe conservation easement benefits to wildlife, water quality, and soil conservation; discuss what the easement enrollment process entails; and more. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from local landowner, Tom Lukens, about his personal experience working with the Conservancy to protect his land along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, April 2, at 7:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
“The Call of the Frog”
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm
Join us Tuesday, March 19th, at 3:45 pm at McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, WI. Ben Johnston, our Habitat Specialist, will lead the presentation. Learn how to identify the 12 Wisconsin frog calls. Expect to practice the frog calls as a group! All ages are welcome. Great for families, and children are encouraged to attend.
Ben is a Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey volunteer. He has been a promoter of Citizen Science since 2008. Information about how to be a Citizen Scientist for the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey will be shared.
For additional information about the presentation, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
March Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 7:00 pm
“A How-To Guide to Better Outdoor Lighting”
Poorly executed and excess outdoor lighting is rapidly degrading the night for all of us with glare and loss of true darkness even many miles from small cities. It has extraordinary negative impacts on other species with whom we share the planet.
Recognizing there are legitimate needs for outdoor lighting, come and learn how to do it right and help preserve the night sky, enhance safety, save energy, and protect other species from harm.
Scott Lind is a retired, licensed professional electrical engineer who worked for 31 years in a variety of power and lighting design roles as a consultant. His work ranged from utility substations and waterparks to hospitals, large food plants, and military bases. He also holds a Wisconsin master electrician license.
Join us Tuesday, March 5th, at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
“Counting Winter Birds: Turning Your Backyard into an Ornithological Observatory”
Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Ben Johnston, our GIS and Habitat Specialist, is presenting “Counting Winter Birds: Turning Your Backyard into an Ornithological Observatory” on Tuesday, February 13th, in the lobby of the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua from 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm. The presentation is great for children and families. People of all ages are welcome. No registration is necessary. This is the first in our yearly series of programs in collaboration with the library.
The presentation will cover how to identify and count birds at your backyard birdfeeder. Ways to improve backyard birdfeeding stations will be discussed. Participants will be educated about how to participate in the worldwide initiative: The Great Backyard Bird Count that takes place February 16th – 19th.
For additional information about the bird count, visit birdcount.org.
For additional information about the presentation, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
February Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 7:00 pm
“Unveiling the Skies: Drones for Ecological Monitoring and Conservation in the Driftless Area”
Drone mapping has emerged as a game-changer revolutionizing ecological monitoring and conservation by providing a bird’s-eye view of ecosystems. Drones enhance efficiency in monitoring vast areas, facilitate rapid response to environmental threats, and contribute valuable data for informed decision-making. Using examples from drone imagery based ecological research in the Driftless area (detecting invasive aquatic plants; mapping cold water habitats, geomorphic properties of driftless streams, and prairie vegetation phenology) this talk will discuss the potentials and challenges of using drones for ecological applications in the Driftless.
Join us Tuesday, February 6th, at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
January Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 7:00 pm
“Conserving Land from Beyond the Grave”
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 – 7:00 pm (note this is the 2nd Tuesday)
Landowners who devote a lifetime to caring for their wildlife habitat or improving their soils and farmland may wonder how to ensure their efforts can extend beyond their lifetime. Join Abbie Church to learn about permanent protection through conservation easements with local land trust Mississippi Valley Conservancy. We will cover the fact and fiction around easement requirements; touch on local land-use trends; hear about conservation easement benefits to wildlife, water quality, and soil conservation; learn what the easement enrollment process entails; and more. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from local landowner, Tom Lukens, about his personal experience working with the Conservancy to protect his land along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River.
Join us Tuesday, January 9th, at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
December Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 7:00 pm
“Historic Changes to River Systems in the Driftless Area”
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 7:00 pm
Driftless Area streams have experienced a tremendous amount of change due to human activities over the past two centuries. This talk by Dr. Colin Belby will provide an overview of how European-American settlement and associated landcover change in the mid-19th century disrupted rainfall-runoff processes on the landscape, resulting in more frequent floods and altered stream channels. Despite the positive impacts of the soil conservation movement that had its origins in the Driftless Area in the 1920s, the legacy of past land management practices combined with an increased frequency of high intensity rainfall continues to affect present-day stream processes.
Join us Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
Annual Member Meeting
Thursday, November 9, 2023, 5:30 pm
November Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 7:00 pm
“Geology and Groundwater in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area”
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – 7:00 pm
The basic geology of the region, groundwater and aquifers, water quality issues, and recent and ongoing research will be presented by Dr. Ken Bradbury who recently retired from his position as Wisconsin’s State Geologist and Director of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, UW-Madison Division of Extension.
Join us Tuesday, November 7th at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
October Adult Program with McIntosh Memorial Library
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 6:00 pm
Our adult program is at 6:00 pm on the 26th of October at the McIntosh Memorial Library. We’ll use the EnviroScape Ecological Restoration model to communicate how water interacts with our local landscape with a splash! Participants will make it rain on the model and observe how water moves throughout the watershed. Then, they will construct solutions to problems and make it rain again to see how we can help safeguard our environment.
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
October Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 7:00 pm
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
August Programs with McIntosh Memorial Library
Youth Program, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, 1:00 pm
Adult Program, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, 6:00 pm
We will be coordinating with the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua throughout the summer to bring a variety of adult and youth programs to the community.
In August, our youth program Mapping our Town will be at 1:00 pm on the 2nd. Meet in Eckhardt Park! Our GIS and Habitat Specialist Ben Johnston will lead the children through a mapping exercise in the park to explore the relationship between mapping and landmarks and their conection to their surroundings. A scavenger hunt will follow.
For our adult program at 6:00 pm on the 22nd Heidi Keuler, Fish Habitat Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, use a stream table to lead hands-on learning about how rivers work and how we in our communities can impact them both positively and negatively. Participants will learn basic stream terminology, how they function in the watershed by interacting with groundwater, and what we can do to protect them and the fish and wildlife that live there.
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org or us at valleystewardshipnetwork.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
July Programs with McIntosh Memorial Library
Youth Program, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 1:00 pm
Adult Program, Thursday, July 20, 2023, 6:00 pm
We will be coordinating with the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua throughout the summer to bring a variety of adult and youth programs to the community.
In July, our youth program Creeping Critters will be at 1:00 pm on the 19th. Our staff member Frank Spilker will lead the children into an investigation of the fascinating insects that inhabit local streams and ponds. He will discuss life cycles and bring critters for children to identify and study.
For our adult program at 6:00 pm on the 20th, we’ll use the EnviroScape Ecological Restoration model to communicate how water interacts with our local landscape with a splash! Participants will make it rain on the model and observe how water moves throughout the watershed. Then, they will construct solutions to problems and make it rain again to see how we can help safeguard our environment.
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org or us at valleystewardshipnetwork.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
June Programs with McIntosh Memorial Library
June 2023
Youth Program, Thursday, June 29, 2023, 3:45 pm
Adult Program, Thursday, June 29, 2023, 6:00 pm
We will be coordinating with the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua throughout the summer to bring a variety of adult and youth programs to the community. Our first programs are both on June 29th.
Our youth program will be at 3:45 pm. We’ll use the EnviroScape Ecological Restoration model to communicate how water interacts with our local landscape with a splash! Participants will make it rain on the model and observe how water moves throughout the watershed. Then, they will construct solutions to problems and make it rain again to see how we can help safeguard our environment.
For our adult program at 6:00 pm, we will discuss “My Double Life: Memoirs of a Naturalist” by Frances Hamerstrom. Contact the library to obtain a copy. After a childhood traveling the world with a wealthy family, Frances moves to central Wisconsin in the 1930s and goes on to lead an entire generation of conservationists. She became the only woman ever to receive a graduate degree from famed ecologist Aldo Leopold. Come join the conversation!
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org or us at valleystewardshipnetwork.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
Water Action Volunteer (WAV) Training
2 Dates
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 6:00 pm
Sunday, May 7, 2023 – 11:00 am
Learn more about your local stream and watershed! Contribute to understanding the water quality in local watersheds and the state of WI. Join the Water Action Volunteer (WAV) program!
Water quality has been at the heart of Valley Stewardship Network’s (VSN’s) mission to protect our land and waters through research, education, and community empowerment. Through the assistance of members of the community volunteering their time through the WAV program, we’ve been able to put together many years of stream quality data that give us a baseline for comparison of future water sampling in the area. All this information is coordinated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources throughout Wisconsin.
NEW TRAINING ADDED: Wednesday, May 3rd, at 6:00 pm, at Sidie Hollow, Viroqua. Meet at the parking area at the end of CTH XX.
Our second training session is Sunday, May 7th, at 11:00 am, at 803 Water St., Wilton, WI.
Please contact our WAV Coordinator Ben Johnston at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org if you plan on attending. We will provide you with a full set of sampling equipment. Ben’s cell phone number is: 608-435-6114.
Please dress appropriately for being out of doors for the training.
If you would have any questions, please email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615.
Coon Creek Conservation Day
Saturday, May 6, 2023 – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Make Running Water Walk
Coon Creek Community Watershed Council presents a day of Conservation, Farming, and Fishing at Coon Valley Veterans Memorial Park, Roosevelt Street, Coon Valley, WI. There will be food, entertainment, events, and kids’ activities focused on the Coon Creek watershed and the conservation ideas, practices, and actions taking place in the watershed.
Ben Johnston, Valley Stewardship Network’s new Water Action Volunteer (WAV) Coordinator, will be at the event if you would like to learn more about volunteering to help monitor water quality in area rivers and streams.
EVENTS
- Hog roast and baked potatoes
- Fishers & Farmers rain simulator
- Sand tables
- Kids’ fishing poles
- Coon Creek Watershed History
- Booths
- Spunky Bumpkins – LIVE!
ORGANIZATIONS
- Wisconsin Land and Water
- Savanna Institute
- Greener Pastures and Grassland 2.0 UW-Madison
- B & E’s Trees
- Seed Savers
- Valley Stewardship Network
Find a list of all participating organizations and vendors at cooncreekwatershed.org.
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
Ridges and Rivers Festival
Book Garden
Saturday, April 29, 2023 – 9:30 am – 10:30 am
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
The Hill Country Watershed Alliance hosts:
Spring Cover Crop Bingo!
Tour the Countryside and Win Prizes
Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23, 2023
Here’s How it Works
The attached map shows where each cover crop field is located in one of our local watersheds. You travel to each map location and write the number of the field location on your map (the field number is indicated on a sign at each field). The bingo sheet description will explain what is in that field and how it was planted.
Once you have your map completed, you can return your map at the following locations or submit it electronically:
Drop-off locations:
- Chaseburg Co-Op, 113 Cactus Dr, Chaseburg
- Vernon County Land & Water Conservation Dept. (LWCD), 220 Airport Road, Viroqua
- Wehling Farms Country Store, S764 Jore Road, Westby
Electronic submission:
Info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
All submissions are due by Friday, April 28th.
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
Conservation on Tap Presentation Series 2022-2023
First Tuesday of Every Month, November – April, 7:00 p.m.
NOTE: The April 4 presentation will be at Tangled Hickory in Viroqua
November 1, 2022, Jason Freund, “Climate Change, Flooding, and Stream Manipulation In the Driftless Area” – Jason will talk a bit about what we have seen from climate change in the Driftless Area and about flood events, particularly the damage from the August 2018 flood event. He’ll also discuss our native plant communities, the history of human disturbances, and how we can reconnect streams and their floodplains to minimize the effects of flooding. Link to video
December 6, 2022, Peter Allen, “Becoming Keystone: Reintegrate to Regenerate” – Indigenous cultures worldwide have embraced their role as keystone species, creating healthy ecosystems as the basis for their sustenance and livelihoods. In our times, it is critical that we remember how to take responsibility for our role as keystone, reintegrating into Nature to restore biologically diverse, ecologically functional, and agriculturally productive ecosystems. Becoming keystone requires both engaging in specific activities that impact the land and an entire paradigm shift on how we think about and understand ourselves and our relations.
January 31, 2023, RESCHEDULED! Nancy Wedwick and Bob Micheel plan to offer background information on watershed councils, their work in particular and also that in collaboration with their sister watershed councils, within the context of the historical legacy of conservation leadership in the Coon Creek Watershed. Link to video
February 7, 2023, Teri Allendorf, “Community Conservation: From Wisconsin to the World” – Teri Allendorf will describe Community Conservation‘s projects around the world with local communities to protect biodiversity, including endangered species such as yellow-tailed woolly monkeys in Peru, orangutans in Malaysia, chimpanzees in Cameroon, and tigers in Nepal, among many others. Link to video
March 7, 2023, David Bruce and Erik Hagen, “Agroforestry and Perennial Cropping Systems: Catalyzing widespread adoption through Demonstration, Research and Education” – Through research, demonstration, and education, we at the Savanna Institute work to create a community of practice and help farmers and landowners learn about and adopt the practices into their current farming practices. With the USDA’s new Climate Smart program, we have several exciting new projects in the works. And you’ll be especially interested to hear about what we are doing here in Vernon County, as well as at our cluster of demonstration farms in the Spring Green area.
April 4, 2023, Craig Thompson, “From Catbirds to Cuckoos – The Importance of North America’s Driftless Area for Global Bird Conservation” – The Driftless Area harbors the largest expanse of forest between the Ozarks and Canada’s vast boreal biome. The region’s oak woodlands support an important population of migratory birds, many considered conservation priorities. The Driftless also provides critically important stopover habitat for millions of birds during spring and fall migration. This presentation will examine features that contribute to the region’s importance for birds, provide a glimpse into ongoing bird conservation efforts, and highlight actions Driftless residents can take to lend our feathered friends a helping hand.
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
Annual Meeting – January 17, 2023, 7:00 pm
To be held at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua
This year we are returning to an in-person Annual Meeting but are including a Zoom portion as well so we can include people who may not want to make the trip. As an enticement for those who do choose to join us in-person, we are offering tasty appetizers and drinks. Join us Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua. We’ll share our successes from 2022 and talk about our plans for 2023!
The doors open for socializing at 6:30 pm. The presentation starts at 7:30 pm.
Please email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615 to register for event and/or ask for Zoom link.
Become a member.
Conservation on Tap
“Grouse in the Mist (Little Trees Need Hugs Too!)“
Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, 6:00 pm
Description: Ruffed grouse were once a common avian species across southern Wisconsin, with very high densities in the Driftless Region. Since the 1980s, grouse numbers have declined in our area by over 90%. Scott Walter of Driftless Farms, LLC, will explore this decline in the context of forest ecology and discuss what may be done to encourage grouse and other wildlife species dependent upon young forest habitats.
Bio: Scott Walter fell in love with wildlife on his 8-generation family farm near Viola. He has a BS in Biology from Beloit College and an MS and PhD in Wildlife Ecology from UW-Madison. He has 23 years experience working in a variety of roles in academia (UW-Richland, UW-Platteville) and the Wisconsin DNR. He is currently working with his wife and kids to grow an organic maple syrup business on their farm.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, October 1, at 6:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
“Valley Stewardship Network Pizza Fundraising Night at Sittin Pretty Farm“
Friday, September 13th, 2024, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Come on up to the ridge and join us for Friday woodfired pizza loaded up with local ingredients and live music on the outdoor Big Wheel stage or up in the loft of the climate-controlled party barn. On this night, pizza will be served by Board members of Valley Stewardship Network. Gluten-free options are available. Please place your orders HERE before 5:oo pm that Friday night.
Sittin Pretty is the community outreach arm of a non-profit organization, Further Along, Inc. All proceeds from Sittin Pretty go towards support of Further Along, its 501(c)3 non-profit, and other local non-profits. The aim of Further Along is to expand humanity through nature, adventure learning, service, and community building. Read more about their story here.
“Driftless Prairie Restoration Workshop”
Monday, September 9th, 2024, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Learn more about when, where, and how to restore prairies at the Driftless Prairie Restoration Workshop at Nature Nooks Retreat: S4878 County Rd S, Viroqua, WI.
Specially geared toward landowners who are interested in planting prairie over several acres or more, this program is brought to you by a partnership between Valley Stewardship Network, the Wisconsin Monarch Collective, and Pheasants Forever.
For more information or to register, contact lromance@pheasantsforever.org, scan the QR code, or call 608-518-1674.
“Watershed Practices that can Improve the Health of Local Watersheds”
Thursday, August 8th, 2024, 5:30 pm
Conservation efforts are typically focused on habitat or plants and wildlife. Watershed-scale conservation promotes water quality and mitigation of impacts associated with runoff, in addition to habitat, plant, and wildlife improvements, throughout a watershed. Because everything within a watershed is connected, implementation of land-management practices at the headwaters or upper portions of a watershed can significantly improve conditions downstream.
Ben Johnston, Valley Stewardship Network’s Habitat Specialist, will define and give examples of how land-management practices can affect different levels of watersheds and describe practices that can improve conditions throughout watersheds.
The presentation will take place in the McIntosh Memorial Library lobby at 205 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI, at 5:30 pm on Thursday, August 8th.
This program is presented in partnership with the McIntosh Memorial Library. For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Learning About Chimney Swifts”
Thursday, July 11th, 2024, 5:30 pm
For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Construction of and Hunting with Primitive Bows and Arrows”
Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, 5:30 pm
Tuesday, July 9th, at 5:30 pm, please join us at the McIntosh Memorial Library for a presentation by Valley Stewardship Network Board Member Dave Van Dyke. He will be discussing the construction of primitive bows and arrows. Dave has 25 years of experience constructing these bows and arrows, first using power tools, then hand tools, and finally with stone tools! He has successfully used them for hunting deer, caribou, and bear.
The arrows have been made from birch or oak, and the bows have been made from elm and hickory and other woods. All the wood has been collected from trees on Dave’s farm. The more modern bows have been strung with linen, while the primitive bows have been strung with rawhide. Dave will show bows and arrows in various stages of construction and discuss the construction process and his hunting experiences.
For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Map Reading and Treasure Hunt for Children”
Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, 3:30 pm
Ben Johnston, Valley Stewardship Network GIS Specialist, will lead a Map Reading and Treasure Hunt program for children 6 and up at Eckhart Park in Viroqua, WI. Join us on Tuesday, July 9th, from 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm at the park. Registration is not required.
After learning how to handle, read, and understand maps, the children will use their maps to each find a mini treasure chest with prizes that they will get to keep.
For additional details about the program, visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org.
“Intro to Birding: Gathering Information to Name that Bird”
Thursday, June 13th, 2024, 5:30 pm
Our Habitat Specialist Ben Johnston will provide an introductory overview of basic bird characteristic and identification tips. Binoculars are not needed for the presentation. Our partner, McIntosh Memorial Library, will be hosting the event in their lobby at 205 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua, WI.
Valley Stewardship Network Open House
Our office at 110 S. Main St, Viroqua, WI
Saturday, May 18, 2024 – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Drop by our office in downtown Viroqua to view our watershed artwork, meet members of our Board of Directors, participate in an EnviroScape Landscape Model demonstration, see examples of our conservation activities, and learn about land management best practices, as well as being able to purchase our watershed T-shirts, bird-friendly coffee, and bird-strike tape.
“7 Simple Actions to Help Birds”
Presentation at the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, WI
Thursday, May 9th, at 5:3o pm
In 2019, scientists documented North America’s staggering loss of nearly 3 billion breeding birds since 1970. Helping birds can be as simple as making changes to everyday habits.
Valley Stewardship Networks’ Ben Johnston, Habitat Specialist, will discuss 7 simple actions you can take to help birds. Why care about birds? Insect-eating birds protect farm crops, they help the economy through dollars generated by birdwatchers and hunters, natural bird habitat and song support human health, and protecting bird habitat helps preserve the natural environment and healthy ecosystems.
Water Action Volunteer (WAV) Training Sessions
Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 4:00 pm OR Saturday, April 27, 2024, 11:00 am
When: Training sessions will be Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 4:00 pm and Saturday, April 27, at 11:00 am. The training sessions will take a couple of hours.
Where: Sidie Hollow Vernon County Park – on the Park Office (north) side (not the boat landing/campground side).
Weather: We’ll proceed with a light rain but not a thunderstorm
RSVP: Please email Ben Johnston at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org with the date your are planning on attending.
We can also work out some other times for trainings if needed. There will also be another training opportunity in Wilton.
For additional information about the program, email Ben Johnston, our WAV Coordinator, at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
“What is WAV (Water Action Volunteer)?”
Thursday, April 4, 2024, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Every year we seek out people who enjoy being outside and who would like to spend a little time each month getting to know their local stream better by sampling the water quality. It’s an activity that’s fun to do with friends and family. Valley Stewardship Network provides the equipment and training. You just need to make some measurements and enter the data into a Wisconsin-wide database.
To learn more about the program, come to our information session at the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, WI, on April 4th at 5:30 pm. Or, you can watch an informational video about the program HERE.
For additional information about the program, email Ben Johnston, our WAV Coordinator, at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
Event Canceled Due to Inclement Weather!!
April Conservation on Tap
“Conserving Land from Beyond the Grave”
Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 7:00 pm
This event has been rescheduled to the fall.
Landowners who devote a lifetime to caring for their wildlife habitat or improving their soils and farmland may wonder how to ensure their efforts can extend beyond their lifetime. Join Abbie Church, Mississippi Valley Conservancy Conservation Director, to learn about permanent land protection through conservation easements with local land trust Mississippi Valley Conservancy. She will cover the fact and fiction around easement requirements; touch on local land-use trends; describe conservation easement benefits to wildlife, water quality, and soil conservation; discuss what the easement enrollment process entails; and more. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from local landowner, Tom Lukens, about his personal experience working with the Conservancy to protect his land along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River.
The Conservation on Tap presentation takes place Tuesday, April 2, at 7:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For additional information email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org, or call us at 608-637-3615.
“The Call of the Frog”
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm
Join us Tuesday, March 19th, at 3:45 pm at McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, WI. Ben Johnston, our Habitat Specialist, will lead the presentation. Learn how to identify the 12 Wisconsin frog calls. Expect to practice the frog calls as a group! All ages are welcome. Great for families, and children are encouraged to attend.
Ben is a Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey volunteer. He has been a promoter of Citizen Science since 2008. Information about how to be a Citizen Scientist for the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey will be shared.
For additional information about the presentation, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
March Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 7:00 pm
“A How-To Guide to Better Outdoor Lighting”
Poorly executed and excess outdoor lighting is rapidly degrading the night for all of us with glare and loss of true darkness even many miles from small cities. It has extraordinary negative impacts on other species with whom we share the planet.
Recognizing there are legitimate needs for outdoor lighting, come and learn how to do it right and help preserve the night sky, enhance safety, save energy, and protect other species from harm.
Scott Lind is a retired, licensed professional electrical engineer who worked for 31 years in a variety of power and lighting design roles as a consultant. His work ranged from utility substations and waterparks to hospitals, large food plants, and military bases. He also holds a Wisconsin master electrician license.
Join us Tuesday, March 5th, at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
“Counting Winter Birds: Turning Your Backyard into an Ornithological Observatory”
Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Ben Johnston, our GIS and Habitat Specialist, is presenting “Counting Winter Birds: Turning Your Backyard into an Ornithological Observatory” on Tuesday, February 13th, in the lobby of the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua from 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm. The presentation is great for children and families. People of all ages are welcome. No registration is necessary. This is the first in our yearly series of programs in collaboration with the library.
The presentation will cover how to identify and count birds at your backyard birdfeeder. Ways to improve backyard birdfeeding stations will be discussed. Participants will be educated about how to participate in the worldwide initiative: The Great Backyard Bird Count that takes place February 16th – 19th.
For additional information about the bird count, visit birdcount.org.
For additional information about the presentation, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call us at 608-637-3615.
February Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 7:00 pm
“Unveiling the Skies: Drones for Ecological Monitoring and Conservation in the Driftless Area”
Drone mapping has emerged as a game-changer revolutionizing ecological monitoring and conservation by providing a bird’s-eye view of ecosystems. Drones enhance efficiency in monitoring vast areas, facilitate rapid response to environmental threats, and contribute valuable data for informed decision-making. Using examples from drone imagery based ecological research in the Driftless area (detecting invasive aquatic plants; mapping cold water habitats, geomorphic properties of driftless streams, and prairie vegetation phenology) this talk will discuss the potentials and challenges of using drones for ecological applications in the Driftless.
Join us Tuesday, February 6th, at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
January Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 7:00 pm
“Conserving Land from Beyond the Grave”
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 – 7:00 pm (note this is the 2nd Tuesday)
Landowners who devote a lifetime to caring for their wildlife habitat or improving their soils and farmland may wonder how to ensure their efforts can extend beyond their lifetime. Join Abbie Church to learn about permanent protection through conservation easements with local land trust Mississippi Valley Conservancy. We will cover the fact and fiction around easement requirements; touch on local land-use trends; hear about conservation easement benefits to wildlife, water quality, and soil conservation; learn what the easement enrollment process entails; and more. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from local landowner, Tom Lukens, about his personal experience working with the Conservancy to protect his land along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River.
Join us Tuesday, January 9th, at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
December Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 7:00 pm
“Historic Changes to River Systems in the Driftless Area”
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 7:00 pm
Driftless Area streams have experienced a tremendous amount of change due to human activities over the past two centuries. This talk by Dr. Colin Belby will provide an overview of how European-American settlement and associated landcover change in the mid-19th century disrupted rainfall-runoff processes on the landscape, resulting in more frequent floods and altered stream channels. Despite the positive impacts of the soil conservation movement that had its origins in the Driftless Area in the 1920s, the legacy of past land management practices combined with an increased frequency of high intensity rainfall continues to affect present-day stream processes.
Join us Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
Annual Member Meeting
Thursday, November 9, 2023, 5:30 pm
November Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 7:00 pm
“Geology and Groundwater in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area”
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – 7:00 pm
The basic geology of the region, groundwater and aquifers, water quality issues, and recent and ongoing research will be presented by Dr. Ken Bradbury who recently retired from his position as Wisconsin’s State Geologist and Director of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, UW-Madison Division of Extension.
Join us Tuesday, November 7th at 7:00 pm at The Historic Fortney located at 100 N. Main St., in Viroqua, WI. Conservation on Tap is a FREE presentation series by experts on various aspects of Driftless area ecology and conservation. The goal of the series is to increase knowledge, connection to, and awareness of current conservation efforts and research.
For more information email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
October Adult Program with McIntosh Memorial Library
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 6:00 pm
Our adult program is at 6:00 pm on the 26th of October at the McIntosh Memorial Library. We’ll use the EnviroScape Ecological Restoration model to communicate how water interacts with our local landscape with a splash! Participants will make it rain on the model and observe how water moves throughout the watershed. Then, they will construct solutions to problems and make it rain again to see how we can help safeguard our environment.
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
October Conservation on Tap
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 7:00 pm
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
August Programs with McIntosh Memorial Library
Youth Program, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, 1:00 pm
Adult Program, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, 6:00 pm
We will be coordinating with the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua throughout the summer to bring a variety of adult and youth programs to the community.
In August, our youth program Mapping our Town will be at 1:00 pm on the 2nd. Meet in Eckhardt Park! Our GIS and Habitat Specialist Ben Johnston will lead the children through a mapping exercise in the park to explore the relationship between mapping and landmarks and their conection to their surroundings. A scavenger hunt will follow.
For our adult program at 6:00 pm on the 22nd Heidi Keuler, Fish Habitat Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, use a stream table to lead hands-on learning about how rivers work and how we in our communities can impact them both positively and negatively. Participants will learn basic stream terminology, how they function in the watershed by interacting with groundwater, and what we can do to protect them and the fish and wildlife that live there.
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org or us at valleystewardshipnetwork.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
July Programs with McIntosh Memorial Library
Youth Program, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 1:00 pm
Adult Program, Thursday, July 20, 2023, 6:00 pm
We will be coordinating with the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua throughout the summer to bring a variety of adult and youth programs to the community.
In July, our youth program Creeping Critters will be at 1:00 pm on the 19th. Our staff member Frank Spilker will lead the children into an investigation of the fascinating insects that inhabit local streams and ponds. He will discuss life cycles and bring critters for children to identify and study.
For our adult program at 6:00 pm on the 20th, we’ll use the EnviroScape Ecological Restoration model to communicate how water interacts with our local landscape with a splash! Participants will make it rain on the model and observe how water moves throughout the watershed. Then, they will construct solutions to problems and make it rain again to see how we can help safeguard our environment.
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org or us at valleystewardshipnetwork.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
June Programs with McIntosh Memorial Library
June 2023
Youth Program, Thursday, June 29, 2023, 3:45 pm
Adult Program, Thursday, June 29, 2023, 6:00 pm
We will be coordinating with the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua throughout the summer to bring a variety of adult and youth programs to the community. Our first programs are both on June 29th.
Our youth program will be at 3:45 pm. We’ll use the EnviroScape Ecological Restoration model to communicate how water interacts with our local landscape with a splash! Participants will make it rain on the model and observe how water moves throughout the watershed. Then, they will construct solutions to problems and make it rain again to see how we can help safeguard our environment.
For our adult program at 6:00 pm, we will discuss “My Double Life: Memoirs of a Naturalist” by Frances Hamerstrom. Contact the library to obtain a copy. After a childhood traveling the world with a wealthy family, Frances moves to central Wisconsin in the 1930s and goes on to lead an entire generation of conservationists. She became the only woman ever to receive a graduate degree from famed ecologist Aldo Leopold. Come join the conversation!
For more information about these programs visit the McIntosh Memoria Library at mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org or us at valleystewardshipnetwork.org, email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
Water Action Volunteer (WAV) Training
2 Dates
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 6:00 pm
Sunday, May 7, 2023 – 11:00 am
Learn more about your local stream and watershed! Contribute to understanding the water quality in local watersheds and the state of WI. Join the Water Action Volunteer (WAV) program!
Water quality has been at the heart of Valley Stewardship Network’s (VSN’s) mission to protect our land and waters through research, education, and community empowerment. Through the assistance of members of the community volunteering their time through the WAV program, we’ve been able to put together many years of stream quality data that give us a baseline for comparison of future water sampling in the area. All this information is coordinated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources throughout Wisconsin.
NEW TRAINING ADDED: Wednesday, May 3rd, at 6:00 pm, at Sidie Hollow, Viroqua. Meet at the parking area at the end of CTH XX.
Our second training session is Sunday, May 7th, at 11:00 am, at 803 Water St., Wilton, WI.
Please contact our WAV Coordinator Ben Johnston at ben@valleystewardshipnetwork.org if you plan on attending. We will provide you with a full set of sampling equipment. Ben’s cell phone number is: 608-435-6114.
Please dress appropriately for being out of doors for the training.
If you would have any questions, please email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615.
Coon Creek Conservation Day
Saturday, May 6, 2023 – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Make Running Water Walk
Coon Creek Community Watershed Council presents a day of Conservation, Farming, and Fishing at Coon Valley Veterans Memorial Park, Roosevelt Street, Coon Valley, WI. There will be food, entertainment, events, and kids’ activities focused on the Coon Creek watershed and the conservation ideas, practices, and actions taking place in the watershed.
Ben Johnston, Valley Stewardship Network’s new Water Action Volunteer (WAV) Coordinator, will be at the event if you would like to learn more about volunteering to help monitor water quality in area rivers and streams.
EVENTS
- Hog roast and baked potatoes
- Fishers & Farmers rain simulator
- Sand tables
- Kids’ fishing poles
- Coon Creek Watershed History
- Booths
- Spunky Bumpkins – LIVE!
ORGANIZATIONS
- Wisconsin Land and Water
- Savanna Institute
- Greener Pastures and Grassland 2.0 UW-Madison
- B & E’s Trees
- Seed Savers
- Valley Stewardship Network
Find a list of all participating organizations and vendors at cooncreekwatershed.org.
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
Ridges and Rivers Festival
Book Garden
Saturday, April 29, 2023 – 9:30 am – 10:30 am
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
The Hill Country Watershed Alliance hosts:
Spring Cover Crop Bingo!
Tour the Countryside and Win Prizes
Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23, 2023
Here’s How it Works
The attached map shows where each cover crop field is located in one of our local watersheds. You travel to each map location and write the number of the field location on your map (the field number is indicated on a sign at each field). The bingo sheet description will explain what is in that field and how it was planted.
Once you have your map completed, you can return your map at the following locations or submit it electronically:
Drop-off locations:
- Chaseburg Co-Op, 113 Cactus Dr, Chaseburg
- Vernon County Land & Water Conservation Dept. (LWCD), 220 Airport Road, Viroqua
- Wehling Farms Country Store, S764 Jore Road, Westby
Electronic submission:
Info@valleystewardshipnetwork.
All submissions are due by Friday, April 28th.
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
Conservation on Tap Presentation Series 2022-2023
First Tuesday of Every Month, November – April, 7:00 p.m.
NOTE: The April 4 presentation will be at Tangled Hickory in Viroqua
November 1, 2022, Jason Freund, “Climate Change, Flooding, and Stream Manipulation In the Driftless Area” – Jason will talk a bit about what we have seen from climate change in the Driftless Area and about flood events, particularly the damage from the August 2018 flood event. He’ll also discuss our native plant communities, the history of human disturbances, and how we can reconnect streams and their floodplains to minimize the effects of flooding. Link to video
December 6, 2022, Peter Allen, “Becoming Keystone: Reintegrate to Regenerate” – Indigenous cultures worldwide have embraced their role as keystone species, creating healthy ecosystems as the basis for their sustenance and livelihoods. In our times, it is critical that we remember how to take responsibility for our role as keystone, reintegrating into Nature to restore biologically diverse, ecologically functional, and agriculturally productive ecosystems. Becoming keystone requires both engaging in specific activities that impact the land and an entire paradigm shift on how we think about and understand ourselves and our relations.
January 31, 2023, RESCHEDULED! Nancy Wedwick and Bob Micheel plan to offer background information on watershed councils, their work in particular and also that in collaboration with their sister watershed councils, within the context of the historical legacy of conservation leadership in the Coon Creek Watershed. Link to video
February 7, 2023, Teri Allendorf, “Community Conservation: From Wisconsin to the World” – Teri Allendorf will describe Community Conservation‘s projects around the world with local communities to protect biodiversity, including endangered species such as yellow-tailed woolly monkeys in Peru, orangutans in Malaysia, chimpanzees in Cameroon, and tigers in Nepal, among many others. Link to video
March 7, 2023, David Bruce and Erik Hagen, “Agroforestry and Perennial Cropping Systems: Catalyzing widespread adoption through Demonstration, Research and Education” – Through research, demonstration, and education, we at the Savanna Institute work to create a community of practice and help farmers and landowners learn about and adopt the practices into their current farming practices. With the USDA’s new Climate Smart program, we have several exciting new projects in the works. And you’ll be especially interested to hear about what we are doing here in Vernon County, as well as at our cluster of demonstration farms in the Spring Green area.
April 4, 2023, Craig Thompson, “From Catbirds to Cuckoos – The Importance of North America’s Driftless Area for Global Bird Conservation” – The Driftless Area harbors the largest expanse of forest between the Ozarks and Canada’s vast boreal biome. The region’s oak woodlands support an important population of migratory birds, many considered conservation priorities. The Driftless also provides critically important stopover habitat for millions of birds during spring and fall migration. This presentation will examine features that contribute to the region’s importance for birds, provide a glimpse into ongoing bird conservation efforts, and highlight actions Driftless residents can take to lend our feathered friends a helping hand.
For additional information, please call Valley Stewardship Network at 608-637-3615 or email info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org.
Annual Meeting – January 17, 2023, 7:00 pm
To be held at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua
This year we are returning to an in-person Annual Meeting but are including a Zoom portion as well so we can include people who may not want to make the trip. As an enticement for those who do choose to join us in-person, we are offering tasty appetizers and drinks. Join us Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 pm, at The Historic Fortney, 100 N. Main St., Viroqua. We’ll share our successes from 2022 and talk about our plans for 2023!
The doors open for socializing at 6:30 pm. The presentation starts at 7:30 pm.
Please email us at info@valleystewardshipnetwork.org or call 608-637-3615 to register for event and/or ask for Zoom link.