News and Notes from The Great River Road
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Selena Diggs
Editor
(608) 267-2094 office
Selena.diggs (at) dot.wi.gov
Ken Harwood
Publisher
Selena Diggs
Editor
(608) 267-2094 office
Selena.diggs (at) dot.wi.gov
Ken Harwood
Publisher
This Weeks Articles for 2/4/2025 ...
- Our friend Roz Schnick was featured in, "Strokes of Kindness" a book by Paul Mellor...
- From Our Wisconsin Magazine - The Mighty Mississippi and more on Wisconsin`s west coast...
- Celebrate 125 Years Of The Wisconsin State Park System In 2025...
- New federal law addresses climate extremes and flooding along Mississippi River ...
- This Charming Town In Wisconsin Is One Of The State’s Most Relaxed, Stress-Free Spots...
- Best Wisconsin Scenic Drives: Discover the Most Breathtaking Routes in the State...
- Our Amazing Great River Road Trip...
Our friend Roz Schnick was featured in, "Strokes of Kindness" a book by Paul Mellor
...The river was in her backyard, and she wanted to protect it, including ways to eradicate the invasive Asian carp. What she didn’t want was to eradicate pollinators.Through her efforts, Roz began the initiative to help protect the pollinator biodiversity along the Mississippi River.
Across the street from her home was her cottage, dubbed, The Monarchy.The guest house
is a pollinator sanctuary. Surrounding the house were pollinator gardens.
In an interview with local television station WXOW, Roz says, “It’s all about having producers of food and flowers, …The monarch is at risk and that’s the queen of all pollinators, so it’s very simple to me, if we want to eat, we have to have pollinators.”
In September 2024, Roz Schnick received the Stewardship Award from the Mississippi River Parkway Commission for her efforts related to Operation Pollination. Her award proved how much of a Mississippi River ally she is in protecting our natural habitat...
Ken Notes: Read the entire chapter at the link and Paul`s book is available HERE.
Trout Unlimited 18th annual Driftless Area Symposium
Trout Unlimited welcomes you to the 18th annual Driftless Area Symposium on February 25th, 2025!
Please join us in person at the La Crosse Center
in historic downtown La Crosse. We have a full day agenda with
speakers on trout science, current management & policy challenges,
emerging threats, project activities and more! Our sessions will
conclude at 5pm, but we welcome everyone to come back after dinner for a
dessert bar and networking event hosted jointly with our partners at
the Wisconsin Wetlands Association!
...Full Story Here
From Our Wisconsin Magazine - The Mighty Mississippi and more on Wisconsin`s west coast
Putting Pep in Our Step
Come along and revisit an American pioneer plus see the Mighty Mississippi and more on Wisconsin`s west coast. Travel along the Great River Road with Julie and Gary Gilkay as our guides! Join them as they discover Trempealeau, Buffalo and Pepin counties.
By Julie Gilkay, Managing Editor "Our Wisconsin"- YOU KNOW it`s going to be a good day when pie is involved. And when there`s pie in the morning and in the afternoon, it`s absolutely exceptional, no matter how you slice it…
…Rather than taking the biking trail that starts on Second Street, we opted to drive to the 500-foot river bluffs and Buena Vista Park via County Road E. There, we took in panoramic views overlooking the Mississippi River and the historic downtown while munching on apples and sandwiches we packed. It`s the perfect spot for a picnic and to marvel at the immensity of the majestic river…
…From Alma, we hopped on the Wisconsin Great River Road and went north. Traveling 250 miles along the Mississippi and through 33 historic riverside communities, it is Wisconsin`s portion of the 10-state Great River Road National Scenic Byway.
After getting sidetracked and making a quick stop at the adorable and wildly popular Nelson Cheese Factory and Creamery, we had come to our destination—charming Stockholm. Steeped in Swedish roots, the village has a population of about 80 and is located on the banks of Lake Pepin.
Lake Pepin, at around 2 1niles wide, is the widest navigable portion of the Mighty Mississippi...
To get a print copy of this issue of Our Wisconsin or Subscribe CLICK HERE!
...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: What a great article from Our Wisconsin Magazine!
Celebrate 125 Years Of The Wisconsin State Park System In 2025
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is previewing a year-long celebration of the quasquicentennial anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System in 2025.The public is invited to participate in the 125th anniversary celebration of the Wisconsin State Park System by spending time on public lands, attending commemorative events throughout the year and learning about the park system’s history.
“More than 20 million people visit Wisconsin’s state parks and forests every year to enjoy the great outdoors,” said Steve Schmelzer, DNR Parks and Recreation Management director. “Wisconsin is a recreation destination, and we are excited to provide a special experience to our visitors this year.”...
...Full Story Here
Selena Notes: Several of the Wisconsin State Parks and DNR lands are on the Great River Road.
New federal law addresses climate extremes and flooding along Mississippi River
Flood control along the Mississippi River is a central piece of a newly passed federal law — work that advocates believe is critical as the river basin sees more frequent and severe extreme weather events due to climate change. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is passed by Congress every two years. It gives authority to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake projects and studies to improve the nation’s water resources.
Signed into law Jan. 4, this year’s package includes studies on increased flooding in the upper basin, flood mitigation measures throughout the river system, ecological restoration, and a $6 billion floodwall in Louisiana.
The Mississippi River is managed in large part by the Army Corps, so it often features prominently in the bill, with a dual aim of making the river more suitable for shipping and restoring environmental degradation from flooding, nutrient pollution and climate change...
The Great River Road
This Charming Town In Wisconsin Is One Of The State’s Most Relaxed, Stress-Free Spots
Looking for a peaceful getaway in Wisconsin?Trempealeau is a charming town that offers a stress-free atmosphere perfect for unwinding and recharging.
Picture this: You’re cruising down the Great River Road, windows down, hair whipping in the wind like you’re in a shampoo commercial (minus the perfect hair, of course).
Suddenly, you spot a sign for Trempealeau.
“Trem-pea-what?” you might ask.
Don’t worry, I had the same reaction.
But trust me, this tongue-twister of a town is worth the detour...
...Full Story Here
Best Wisconsin Scenic Drives: Discover the Most Breathtaking Routes in the State
Great River Road
One of the best scenic drives in Wisconsin is the Great River Road. This 250-mile route follows the Mississippi River along the western border of the state. Along the way, you’ll find charming river towns, stunning views, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Prescott...
- La Crosse...
- Prairie du Chien...
...Full Story Here
Ken Notes: Article has great links for the communities in the article...
Our Amazing Great River Road Trip
...We covered 10 states in 16 days. It was quite the journey!When we made the decision to do a Great River Road trip, I figured it would just be another feather in our road tripping cap. We had done the Pacific Coast Highway and the Blue Ridge Parkway, not to mention countless other small road trips...
...As we crossed into Wisconsin for the first time, it became pretty evident why State Road 35 is considered one of the most scenic roads in America. The overlooks and views along the river and beside Lake Pepin were amazing. One of the hardest parts of this trip is not stopping at every opportunity to gaze at the landscape.
Eventually we made it to our afternoon destination of Pepin, Wisconsin. This small town on the Mississippi River was once the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The museum is a wonderful collection of objects related to her life and the time she grew up in. For any fan of her books, it is an absolute must-see. As an added bonus, not far away is a replica of the house she spent her earliest years in. It sits on the same property as when she was a child. It was another really neat piece of history and one that could be easily missed if you weren’t seeking it out....
...Full Story Here
Wisconsin Mississippi River Interpretive Centers
100 years after its creation, national Mississippi River refuge faces new, old challenges
Head of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge says climate change and funding are some of their biggest threats
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge celebrated 100 years of operation in 2024.
The refuge covers much of Wisconsin’s portion of the Mississippi River, starting just south of Lake Pepin and extending past Wisconsin’s southern border to Rock Island, Illinois.
The national effort to protect the river in the 1920s came in response to the threat of development, as some residents looked to drain backwater areas to create more farmland. Led by Chicago businessman Will Dilg, it became the largest citizens movement to protect public lands seen at the time, according to refuge historians...
Ken Notes: This will be a challenge and hopefully we can keep the river out of partisan politics. We need to think of the river as a working highway, a flyway for wildlife, and a recreational asset for all of us.
Other links
Great River Road Resources
Wisconsin Great River Road
The Wisconsin Great River Road – Discover Wisconsin
Great River Road Tripadvisor
Wisconsin Tourism Great River Road
Tourism Sites
Grant County
Crawford County (Driftless Wisconsin)
Vernon County
La Crosse County
Trempealeau County
Buffalo County
Pepin County
Pierce County
River Pool Maps
https://wisconsinsystem.com/newsletters/River/ (This Newsletter)
Notes: