By Staff Writer: Grace Anders
The Driftless region in Southwest Wisconsin is home to stunningly beautiful public parks and nature reserves. During the cold winter months, these outdoor spaces get much less foot traffic as people opt for indoor activities. To draw attention to the beauty of nature in winter, a local non-profit called Friends of Vernon County Parks and Forests organized a series of winter walks that gave folks a chance to connect with their community while getting exercise and enjoying the outdoors.
Friends of Vernon County Parks and Forests works to protect and preserve the unique ecology of the area and facilitate community engagement with outdoor recreation. Vernon County and the surrounding areas is called “The Driftless Region” because of the lack of glacial drift. During the Last Glacial Period, this part of Southwest Wisconsin along with parts of neighboring states were left uncovered by ice, a phenomenon that created a pocket of steep hills, towering bluffs, deciduous forests and ancient rivers home to cold-water trout.
The first winter walk was hosted at Duck Egg County Park, where the unique geographical features of the area are picturesque. Duck Egg County Park is a 707-acre piece of land owned by Vernon County and open to the public to enjoy. The Bad-axe river runs through the park, forming a valley surrounded by forested hills. 10 miles of multi-use trails span the park for hiking and horseback riding.
On the day of the event, the sun glistened on 8 inches of snow that blanketed the ground, creating an illusion of warmth on a 20 degree day. As icy winds tumbled into the valley, hikers filed in as well. About 30 people braved the cold and snow to embark on an hour-long trail hike. Spirits were high as hikers pausing to take in the scenery greeted people passing by, and dogs zoomed back and forth.
The winter months in Wisconsin can be isolating and hard for many people. Lack of vitamin D, fresh air, and connection with other people can take a toll on mental health. Meanwhile, so many beautiful parks sit empty, waiting for people to enjoy them. The winter walk was a reminder that despite the harsher weather conditions, we can still enjoy nature and connect with our community.