Activities and News
THE MANE EVENT!
August 15 report: riders had a wonderful day of trail riding and scavenger hunting for some fun raffle prizes! We want to thank EVERYONE who participated, but especially the awesome VOLUNTEERS who worked to make this event so nice for everyone.
BIRD WALK AND WILDFLOWER WALK REPORT: GREAT DAYS
We’re so gratreful to Rick Fare and to Kay McCleland for their expertise and willingness to lead our BIRD WALK and our FLOWER WALK this year. Thanks also to those who attended and learned more about our amazing woods and our critters! We had fun on the Tabor Woods trails for both events, and even spotted a Pileated Woodpecker, along with a tree-trunk nesting site. The wildflowers like the ephemeral Bloodroot were out in full force.
SCHOOL TO NATURE PROGRAM: we need able-bodied morning HELPERS and volunteer walkers:
We are gearing up for our September program for 4th graders from local schools. By the way, homeschoolers are also welcome as long as the parent walks along. We want to wecome new volunteers to walk with the students; newcomers are trained and walk with an experieced volunteer until they are confident. We are also looking for a few able-bodied persons for a few mornings in late September to help set up and take down a few tables and to unload and load up bins of supplies (about 8:30am and about 11:30am.). Contact: Jill Baranowski: jillbaranowski1@gmail.com .
TRAIL CLEANING SATURDAY MORNINGS
IF YOU USE OUR TRAILS, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING. Barb Hugier is leading a very dedicated group of our volunteers ON THE SECOND SATURDAY MORNING OF EACH MONTH, 8:45am MEETING AT KING’S CORNER, to make sure our trails are cleared and our invasive plants can be pulled out. Any ages are welcome. Some students may need “service hours” and some businesses encourage community involvement, so this may be for you or someone you know. If you can join this effort, just show up on a second Saturday, or better yet please contact Barb. barbhugier@gmail.com / 262-930-5657. Scout or school groups would be welcome too!
CC LUNCHES- THIRD FRIDAYS EVERY MONTH
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 email list and want to receive monthly invitations and reminders, please contact Diana Lesnjak with your email address: lesnjakdm@gmail.org . Dates coming up: September 18, October 15; always the 3rd Friday.
OUR TRAIL SYSTEM- TIPS FOR WALKERS AND RIDERS
Special Note: after heavy rainfall, CC trails in some areas may be deeply muddy. If so, please don’t ride through.
OUR TRAILS ARE OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND, THEY ARE ALWAYS IMPROVING THANKS TO VOLUNTEER WORK, AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE! Hiking and equestrian trails on our properties (maps available) are places of wonder and beauty all year ‘round. New features include a new bridge, new railing, and added bark in steep places. Handy tips:
- CELL PHONE: fully charged and Location turned to ON. The Caledonia Fire Department can find you if you are lost or hurt. There are numbered “location tags” along the trail that can be reported if you phone 911.
- CLOTHING: dress for the weather, long pants and sturdy shoes/boots are always advised. Trails can be muddy after a rainfall; a walking stick may be useful if you are hiking. Ticks and poison ivy are present; don’t leave the marked trails.
- ALONE? Some trails can become remote, hilly, or challenging; so if you have any health concerns we suggest walking or riding a horse with a friend or with a group.
- DOGS: pets are welcome IF they are leashed, and (of course) if you clean up any “poop” as you would on any neighborhood stroll. Dogs as well as humans may encounter HORSES, so make sure you can control your pet.
- BARRIER? If you discover a branch or small tree down blocking a trail and you can easily move it, please do so; move it entirely off the trail if possible. If you reach a downed tree that can’t be moved, please contact Barb Hugier who is Conservancy point person for the woods: (262) 930-5657 / barbhugier@gmail.com . (Thank you, Barb!)
- FOR HIKERS: if an equestrian approaches on the trail, do not hide; instead stop and softly greet the rider and horse, to avoid scaring the horse. If you have a dog with you keep the dog firmly at your side and quiet if possible. Trails are marked, don’t use the equestrian trails.
- FOR EQUESTRIANS: never enter or continue on a trail that is deeply muddy, as this can cause great problems if the hoofprints dry out later and create holes or bad footing for future riders. Stick to firm trails only. Trails are marked, don’t use the hiking trails.
- FORAGING : Digging up any plant, picking edible leaves or mushrooms- all are forbidden on Conservancy lands.
- LITTER OR VANDALISM: never leave any litter behind and please collect any litter you see if it’s possible. If you see a problem such as evidence of damage, dumping, or vandalism, contact Barb Hugier who is listed above.
Have a wonderful time out there and plan to leave the trails just as you found them, or better.
WILLOW TIMES the Spring 2026 edition is now published. Grab a coffee and then click here.
NEW BRIDGE AT TPP: 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.
FUNGI HUNT: Mushrooms and lichens have been gorgeous this year as always on CC trails. In 2025 volunteers provided MONTHLY articles on current fungi to watch for on the trails- find them in the link above.
GIVING TO OUR CONSERVANCY: if your plans for 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 located farther lower on this page. THANK YOU!
SANDY DE WALT- so many memories…
In 2025, the Conservancy 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 2025, and the two new BENCHES engraved with messages and her name have been placed out in the woods. Woo Hoo!—as she would say.
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
We have a lovely illustrated COOKIE RECIPE BOOK that features so many of our local volunteers’ favorite cookie types- all in one volume. Contact info@caledoniaconservancy.org to inquire about ordering one for yourself- or to give as a gift.
Check out some past Mane Event photos here.
MANE EVENT 2026- MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR AUGUST 15 AND CLICK THE TAB ABOVE !
“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.
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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