Chippewa County Land Conservancy

05/31/2026

As the Beatles song goes (but with a slight revision)
"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Nature calls to me..."

Immersing yourself in nature is a scientifically proven way to restore mental and physical health. Research shows that spending just two hours a week outdoors reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and boosts your immune system.

The Chippewa County Land Conservancy, an all volunteer land trust, believes that preserving natural areas for just this reason alone is a positive and worthy contribution to our world.

You can join us in our efforts!

- Preserve your land https://www.chippewaconservancy.org/about
- Become a member https://www.chippewaconservancy.org/donate
- Become a volunteer https://www.chippewaconservancy.org/get-involved

05/25/2026

Looking for a good spot for a Memorial Day hike or paddle? Check out our website for parking information, GPS coordinates and a description of what to expect at all 8 of our preserves! https://www.chippewaconservancy.org

05/15/2026

We love when you visit our preserves, but if you want to bring the habitat a little closer to home, include native plants in your spring planting plans!

Looking for ideas? Here is a resource from the WI DNR.

What native plants are you including this year?

Plant native plants to help nature American goldfinch on native sunflower. Native plants support the entire food web by providing food for insects, birds, bats, small mammals and other wildlife. This is particularly important now that scientists are documenting global declines in insect populations....

05/13/2026

Have you wondered how to find info on our preserves? Come take a peek at our preserves page to find a good fit for your next nature walk.

https://www.chippewaconservancy.org/preserves

05/07/2026

The beautiful flowers of spring at the Krank Nature Preserve. How many can you name?

05/07/2026

Support the Chippewa County Land Conservancy Chirp Chasers!

Looking for a great way to make an impact in your local community? Do you enjoy our native Wisconsin birds? The Great Wisconsin Birdathon is back for another year! This walkathon style fundraiser supports the Chippewa County Land Conservancy’s work in creating, protecting, monitoring and managing crucial habitats for migratory, breeding and overwintering birds of Wisconsin.

Birds are facing increasing threats to their wellbeing. CCLC's birding team, the Chirp Chasers, will set out to view as many species as possible again this year during the Birdathon. By donating to the team’s page or to one of the team members you will help support CCLC in their important work. Please consider donating to this worthy cause. Your support really matters!

Go to the Chirp Chaser’s Birdathon web page to make a donation online. https://charity.pledgeit.org/WIBirdathon2026/ Just click the donate button.

You can also mail a check to: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, ATTN: Great Wisconsin Birdathon, 211 S. Paterson St., Suite 100, Madison, WI 53703 (please include our team's name in the memo line!)

On behalf of the birds, CCLC and the The Chirp Chasers we THANK YOU!

05/05/2026

The Krank Nature Preserve is home to a portion of the Chippewa River Segment, a beautiful part of the Ice Age Trail. This connection means the public enjoys easy access to this natural gem for hiking, exploration, and reflection.

It also means dedicated volunteers from the Ice Age Trail Alliance—specifically the Chippewa Moraine Chapter—help monitor, maintain, and improve the trail, ensuring it remains a high-quality experience for all who visit.

05/04/2026

Yesterday was a great day for a hike. This week we’ll share photos from the Chippewa Moraine Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Spring Ephemeral Hike. Having the Ice Age Trail Trail go through a portion of CCLC’s Krank Preserve is win-win.

05/03/2026

IT’S TODAY AT 1:00 - SEE YOU THERE

Sharing a hike sponsored by the Chippewa Moraine Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. This hike includes the Krank Preserve, a CCLC protected property.

May First Sunday Hike : Spring Ephemerals

This First Sunday Hike features our spring ephemerals. The beginning of May is a great time to see the early spring flowers such as marsh marigolds, hepatica, spring beauties, anemone, meadow rue, trout lilies, and trillium to name a few. This is especially true on the first section which travels high above the Chippewa River.

The hike begins at 1:00 at the Ice Age Trail parking lot on County CC. County CC is located off Hwy 64/178 on the west side of the Chippewa River at Cornell. Travel 2 miles on CC to reach the parking lot. Hikers should arrive at 12:45 to get registered for the hike.

The Chippewa River Segment is 1.9 miles long and we will do this as an out and back hike for a total of 3.8 miles. Starting at the parking lot we travel high above the Chippewa River with views of Brunet Island State Park. The trail is a single tread trail on hilly terrain. We then cross CC and enter the Krank Preserve. Here we travel up and down hills and cross multiple little creeks. We circle around Perch Lake which is a glacial kettle and then reach the eastern trailhead at County Z. After a short rest, we turn back and retrace our steps to the western trailhead.

Hikers should wear long pants and long sleeved shirts, hiking boots or sturdy shoes with good tread, and a hat. It is a good idea to tuck your pants legs into your socks in case of ticks. Bring water.

Thanks Chippewa Moraine Chapter. See you on the trail 🦣

04/25/2026

Learn more about us and become a member at https://www.chippewaconservancy.org