This year's Aldo Leopold celebration of the renowned Wisconsin ecologist will explore "Water Ways in the Driftless: Leopold's Land (and Water) Ethic in a Time of Deluge." In partnership with local conservation organizations in the La Crosse Area, we are proud to be a part of the La Crosse Leopold days 2025 Celebration!

Schedule of Events:

9:00 a.m. - Noon
The Nature Place in Myrick Park, La Crosse
789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601
9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Family Activities  
Meet our live critters, do some nature-themed activities, and create a nature-focused craft.

9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Speakers in the Marshview Room
Welcome from Stephanie Hanna of The Nature Place
Rick Kyte reading from Leopold's Sand County Almanac
Gretchen Pfeiffer of Mississippi Valley Conservancy – Leopold land ethic and water issues and the Coon Creek project legacy
Bob Micheel, Monroe County Land conservation director on the dam removal proposals for the Coon Creek and West Fork watersheds
Jason Freund – TU Coulee Region president and UWL Biology professor on the effects of dam decommissioning for trout streams
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m. – Speaker in the Marshview Room
Madeline Heim, the Journal Sentinel and Mississippi River basin Ag & Water Desk reporter on her coverage of Driftless Water issues and the work of the Mississippi River basin Ag and Water Desk to make reporting on these issues free and available to any media outlets.