Activities and News
OUR TRAILS ARE OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND, THEY ARE IMPROVED, AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE!
Hiking and equestrian trails on Caledonia Conservancy properties are places of wonder and beauty in the winter, as they are year ‘round. A new bridge, and new railings in some steep places, add to the pleasure. Here are tips for you:
- Have your cell phone fully charged and Location turned to ON. The Caledonia Fire Department can find you if you are lost or hurt. There are even “location tags” on trees along the trail that can be reported if you phone 911.
- Dress for the weather, and now, for snowy or muddy trail conditions. A walking stick may be useful for hiking.
- Some trails can become quite remote / hilly / challenging, so if you have concerns we suggest walking or riding with a friend or a group.
- If you discover a branch or small tree blocking a trail and you can easily move it, please do so; move it entirely off the trail if possible.
- HIKERS: if an equestrian approaches, do not hide; instead stop and softly greet the rider and horse, to avoid scaring the horse.
- EQUESTRIANS: never enter or continue on a trail that is deeply muddy, as this can cause great problems if the hoofprints dry and create holes or bad footing for future riders.
- Finally, never leave any litter behind; and if you see a problem such as evidence of vandalism, or a tree that can’t easily be moved, Barb Hugier will act as a contact for the Conservancy: (262) 930-5657 / barbhugier@gmail.com . (Thank you, Barb!)
Thanks to ALL who attended our wonderful holiday WINE & BEER TASTING EXTRAVAGANZA at Racine Festival Hall, and thanks to those who worked or baked or donated the fantastic AUCTION items. It was a lovely event!
The latest Willow Times is now published. Grab a coffee and then click here.
On Thu, Oct 30, 2025 a group gathered to celebrate the installation of a new bridge on the Trout Ponds Prairie trails. Read all about here.
CC LUNCHES- THIRD FRIDAYS
All members and friends of the Conservancy are invited to monthly luncheons held at Douglas Avenue Diner or another local restaurant. We share laughter, conversations, a meal—and sometimes share information about upcoming CC events. If you’re not already on our list and want to receive monthly invitations and reminders, please contact Diana Lesnjak with your email address: lesnjakdm@gmail.org . Dates coming up: December 19, January 16.
FUNGI HUNT: Mushrooms and lichens have been gorgeous this year on CC trails. For the October 2025 edition of the monthly Conservancy FUNGI HUNT report, click here. These articles are a wonderful way to familiarize yourself with the mushrooms, fungi, and lichens that decorate our woods.
GIVING TIME: if your plans for the end of the year include a donation to your Caledonia Conservancy, to assure that our system of riding and walking trails can be managed and improved for all, we’d appreciate it and we pledge to continue our good stewardship of these wild lands. The DONATE button is lower on this page. THANK YOU!
TRAIL CLEANING: a hearfelt THANKS to all who worked with Barb Hugier this year to clear and maintain our trail system. Trail cleaning will begin again the second Saturday April, 2026, and all ages are invited to be involved.
SANDY DE WALT- so many memories…
The Conservancy has mourned the passing of one of our most active and dedicated members, Sandy DeWalt, a person known for leadership and passion for our lands and trails—also for her smile and gentle wit. Her footprints will forever be on every trail of the lands she loved. We nominated her for the Gathering Waters’ Volunteer of the Year Award for 2024 and SHE WON! Sandy’s family received the lovely award plaque at a crowded gathering at Tailgaters’ in October, and we also got to see the two new BENCHES that have since been placed out in the woods, engraved with her name. Woo Hoo!—as she would say.
WILDFLOWER WALK AND BIRDING WALK: Both events were a lot of fun for all who attended and we had good groups each time. They were awesome opportunities to see our woods in a different way. Thanks to Kay McClelland and to Rick Fare for leading the walks.
We hope that our mission to preserve wild spaces and maintain trails in Caledonia matches our own; please donate whatever you can by clicking the button above. If you’d like to designate a specific use for your donation, you can enter that information in the Special Instructions field that appears at checkout. All donations keep our work going!
COOKIE BOOKS AVAILABLE
One of our “MERCH” items for sale is a lovely illustrated COOKIE RECIPE BOOK that features so many of our local volunteers’ favorite cookie types- all in one volume. Just click the page link above to see about ordering your own!
Check out our 2024 Mane Event photos here.
MANE EVENT 2026- MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR NEXT YEAR, AUGUST 15 !
“A GLORIOUS-AND EPHEMERAL-SPRING MORNING” ARTICLE
Click this link for a story inspired by the Caledonia Conservancy Trail. It appears also on the Eddee Daniels Blog.
TRAIL CLEANING: THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS, OUR TRAILS ARE BEAUTIFUL.
COME HELP WITH TRAIL CEANING ON THE SECOND SATURDAY EACH MONTH, APRIL TO OCTOBER. Volunteers gather at the King’s Corner parking lot on each date at 8:45am, dressed for the weather and for work. Scout and school project groups would be very welcome.
Thanks so much to our many Volunteers, Committee Members, and Financial Supporters, for your GREAT WORK !
Caledonia Conservancy trails are maintained and improved through the generosity of our volunteer workers and our donors. We seek financial donations in any amount, and we’re always on the lookout for local and national foundations or grants that might be a resource. In-kind donations of materials or labor from local businesses are needed and welcomed. We feel that our work is vital to preserving wild spaces in our Village; so also consider becoming an active worker and/or committee member if you are able.
Note: there is a DONATE tab at the top and bottom of this page, and a red DONATE NOW button on that page to click.
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