Waukesha County Land Conservancy

We are so thankful to have been chosen for the 2024 Community Grant. We have such an amazing community and we love being able to offer educational and fun events and a place to spend time in nature.

This holiday season, you can feel good about your Christmas tree and its positive impact on the environment.

Join us at Twisted Vine Winery in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, for our special event, "Save Water, Drink Wine." For just $55 per person, you'll receive three drink tickets (one ticket = 2oz wine pour or a 12oz beer, two tickets = 5oz glass of wine, three tickets = three 2oz wine flight), complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a WCLC branded gift, exclusive access to our silent auction items, and an afternoon celebrating the protection and care of Waukesha County's water. On this National Make A Difference Day, support a meaningful cause all while tasting a selection of fine wines paired with delicious appetizers and the company of conservationists. All proceeds will go directly to protecting and caring for land and water in Waukesha County. Sip, savor, and socialize while making a positive impact on conservation efforts. Registration is required and space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today. We look forward to a toast to making a difference together! Registration is required: https://lnkd.in/dytwte9U

#ICYMI, Josh Brown (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)) and Allison Romero (Waukesha County Land Conservancy) joined us for last week's Wetland Coffee Break to discuss the Mukwonago Davis Restoration Project. Hear about the experience of project planning, restoration, and maintenance of the project, as well as the trials and tribulations of implementing a large wetland restoration project through key partnerships. https://lnkd.in/gTnyzHHw

We hope you can join us next Saturday, June 22nd for the Lake Country Clean Water Festival at Pewaukee Lake! We have activities for kids and families and new workshops this year! 11:00 am: Plastic-Free: From the Individual to the World -??Marissa Jablonski, PhD - International Sustainability Expert, Speaker, Sustainability Consultant and Environmental Advisor 12:00 pm: Aquatic Invasive Species & Native Plants In Our Lakes -Thomas H. Koepp, P.E. LEED AP, Manager, Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District 1:00 pm: Turtles of Wisconsin -Helen Holtz, Land Management Director for the Waukesha County Land Conservancy 2:00 pm: Sustainable Yardening -Jayne Jenks, Conservation Specialist, Waukesha County #lakecountry #wisconsinlakes #cleanwater

Looking for a way to be more involved with us or even other conservation organizations? Check out our events next week where we are collaborating with Kettle Moraine Land Trust, Tall Pines Conservancy, Conservation Dogs Collective, UW-Extension, and more! As we marvel at the remarkable biodiversity of our planet, let's take a moment to honor the often overlooked champions of our ecosystem: pollinators. Did you know that from June 18th to 23rd, we celebrate National Pollinator Week? It's a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge and cherish the indispensable role these tiny wonders play in our daily lives. Join us in the festivities throughout National Pollinator Week! Explore our exciting array of events designed to educate, engage, and celebrate these crucial contributors to our ecosystem. From informative sessions spotlighting conservation dogs trained to sniff out pollinators to workshops dedicated to nurturing pollinator-friendly habitats, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Head over to our Facebook events section for more details!?

On June 21, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)'s In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation Coordinator Josh Brown and Waukesha County Land Conservancy's Allison Romero will join us for a Wetland Coffee Break to discus the Mukwonago Davis Restoration Project.

What's currently blooming on this little hillside at our Eagle Centre Prairie Preserve? Take a closer look around, and you'll discover a tapestry of native grasses, sedges, forbs, and wildflowers adorning this landscape. From the vibrant Downy Phlox to the delicate Prairie Smokes, each species plays a unique and crucial role in our ecosystem. It's worth noting that these snapshots taken yesterday represents just a moment in time; throughout the summer months, different wildflowers will emerge, providing even greater diversity and beauty. Diversity lies at the heart of nature, and this hillside vividly illustrates its importance. These native blooms not only provide essential food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife but also enhance soil fertility and contribute to erosion control and water quality. The variety of plants present here ensures resilience against environmental changes, with different species offering varying abilities to withstand drought, pests, and diseases - protecting the stability and functionality of the ecosystem.

Looking for a way to celebrate an awesome mom and Mother Nature at the same time? Look no further than our Conservation Chronicles and Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 11th! Enjoy a reading by the talented author, Laurie Lawlor, and her children’s book, “Rachel Carson and Her Book that Changed the World," while picking up some native plants from Johnson’s Nursery. It's a wonderful opportunity to discover more about birds (and meet one in person!) and nature while supporting them with native plants. Simply go to Johnson's Nursery's website, pick out what native plants you would like, and set the shipping location to "WCLC Preserves - Pick up at Hartland Ice Age Marsh, Cottonwood Ave, Hartland, WI 53029 - Saturday May 11th 9:30am-12:30pm" to pick them up at the Conservation Chronicles event at our Hartland Marsh Preserve. This native plant sale goes until May 5th so order yours today!

The ultimate player in hide-and-seek. Meet Wisconsin’s fastest turtle, the Spiny Softshell Turtle, seen here on the Mukwonago River at our Davis Nature Preserve. The name "softshell" can be misleading since these turtles do have a solid shell; it's just slightly softer and flatter compared to most turtles. The shell is covered with skin rather than scutes (scales) on top, giving it a malleable, leathery texture. Resembling flying saucers, their streamlined shape helps them glide through the water with speed and grace. Softshell turtles spend the vast majority of their life buried in mud or sand, hidden to rest or to ambush passing prey. Primarily carnivorous, these turtles consume anything that fits in their mouth, such as fish, insects, and crayfish. They hide beneath the sand or mud, leaving only their heads exposed, seizing their prey as it swims past. Occasionally, they can be spotted sunning themselves on sandbars or logs - until they notice your presence and quickly use their powerful limbs to dig themselves into the soil beneath the water, disappearing from sight before you can say, “I like turtles.”