Groundswell Conservancy

"Spring is in full swing, and with so much happening outdoors right now, it’s hard to decide what to highlight in this month’s nature report. One thing that stands out immediately, however, is the dawn chorus that wakes me up around 4:30 a.m. Each morning, it sounds as though thousands of birds are singing right outside my window.

Robins and cardinals tend to steal the show early on, but if you listen closely, you’ll also hear chickadees, nuthatches, blue-gray gnatcatchers, and the occasional mourning dove, depending on where you live. The chorus is wonderfully loud and serves as a welcome reminder that spring has truly arrived."

Take a few moments with Land Management Director BJ Byers and see what's happening outside your window in this month's Nature Now blog post: https://groundswellconservancy.org/may-prairie-smoke-wild-lupine-crayfish-chimneys/

Thanks to the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, USA parks staff for hosting our Board of Directors meeting last night! After the meeting, our board members and staff gathered with City Administrator Aaron Oppenheimer and Mayor Steve Stocker for pizza. We talked about our partnership in maintaining and improving Patrick Marsh Conservancy Park. We also celebrated Board President Todd Shucha and Development Coordinator Amanda Dambrink's birthdays with cake!

We capped the evening with a walk through Patrick Marsh, enjoying a flock of pelicans, and lupines in full bloom in the prairie.

This weekend’s front-page Wisconsin State Journal story shines a spotlight on the Herro property along the Yahara River in the Town of Dunn—an extraordinary landscape with both ecological importance and deep cultural significance.

Groundswell Conservancy is proud to be part of the ongoing effort to ensure this land is permanently protected for future generations.

Read the story here: https://madison.com/article_61e12c0d-ec3b-5150-ba31-80df6446ff27.html

Image descriptions: A view of part of the land to be protected and donated to the Ho-Chunk Nation, looking east where the Yahara River meets Lower Mud Lake. Photo credit: Ben Jones

Last night was a major milestone for conservation in Dane County.

With overwhelming support, Dane County approved funding for the protection of the Herro property — an extraordinary landscape along the Yahara River with significant ecological, historical, and cultural value.

This moment reflects years of partnership, persistence, and shared vision. We are grateful to the Herro family, the Ho-Chunk Nation, County Executive Melissa Agard, Dane County Land & Water Resources Department staff, and all who worked together to advance this effort.

Groundswell Conservancy is proud to have helped lead and support this project alongside our partners, and we look forward to the work ahead to ensure this land is protected for generations to come.

Take a moment to read this story from The Capital Times about what could happen to conservation in our region — and throughout Wisconsin — if the state Legislature allows Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program funding to expire next month.

“Without the Knowles-Nelson program, we will have far fewer places to recreate, birdwatch, (go) hiking, hunting, fishing, all those great activities,” Tony Abate, our Senior Director of Conservation, told The Capital Times. “There will just be fewer of those, and it’s quite the shame.”

Please keep contacting your legislators to express your support for this long-running bipartisan program!

Without Knowles-Nelson, what happens to Wisconsin conservation? The state’s popular land stewardship program runs out of funding June 30. Some worry more Wisconsin natural areas will be bulldozed.

Curious about what’s unfolding in nature right now? 🌿

Our Land Management Director, BJ Byers, shares monthly “Nature Now” updates that capture the beauty and surprises of the natural world as it happens. From his time spent out on the land, BJ notices the small, fascinating details many of us might overlook—and pairs them with stunning photography.

Click below to read his latest blog post and see what's been happening outside amid last month's chaotic weather ... from Devil's urn and fiddleheads to Yellow-bellied sapsuckers!

https://groundswellconservancy.org/april-devils-urn-sapsuckers-and-fiddleheads/

Let’s talk conservation! Come find us today at Trout Days in Cross Plains, 10 am - 2 pm. Learn how to fly fish and so much more!

Thanks to our volunteer crew for cutting invasive brush at Patrick Marsh in Sun Prairie recently! This work was done on the City of Sun Prairie-owned portion of the conservancy park. We worked for about two hours and really opened up the area so that native plant species can thrive!

If you'd like to help care for our lands, we offer outdoor volunteering twice a month:

• the third Friday of the month from 9-11:30 a.m. at Patrick Marsh Conservancy Park

• the second Saturday of the month from 9-11:30 a.m. at Westport Prairie

Sign up and find more details here: https://groundswellconservancy.org/get-involved/outdoor-volunteering/

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we’re celebrating the incredible people who make our work possible!

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Because of their generosity with their time, energy, and passion, we’re able to protect more land, restore vital habitats, and ensure that future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of our region.

Whether they're out in the field planting, helping with events, lending expertise behind the scenes, or simply showing up when it matters most, our volunteers are advancing local conservation in ways that truly make a difference.

These photos are just a small glimpse of the many hands and minds that power this work. We're deeply grateful for each and every one of our volunteers! Thank you for being part of the Groundswell community and for helping care for the places we all love 🌱

Today's the last day to register for our Thank You Party on Thursday, April 23!

Time: 5–7:30 p.m.
Location: Madison Public Library –Central

Join us to celebrate all the special places you protected this year. There will be a program from 6:15–6:45 p.m., where you’ll hear about recent conservation successes and some exciting projects on the horizon. Charlie Carlin of Gathering Waters will provide an update on the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard will speak about how the county is supporting our land protection work.

Enjoy food from Banzo, cake, and a cash bar. You’ll also have the chance to win great door prizes from local businesses.

RSVP below.

2026 Thank You Party - Groundswell Conservancy Join us to celebrate all the special places you protected this year! We’d like to show our appreciation for your dedicated support of conservation where you live. There will be […]