Ice Age Trail News for March
Chapter Meeting on Monday, March 19
It seems like spring, and our thoughts turn to the trail! And so our chapter will meet on Monday, March 19 at the Chippewa Falls Public Library in downtown Chippewa Falls. We will plan details of our spring events, hikes, and work days. Come join us to help get this important work off to a good start for the new hiking season!
Chapter Website is Good Source of Current News
We try not to send bulletins like this more than once a month or so, but you can get the most recent and always current information by going to our chapter website: http://www.iatchippewa.org . Be sure to click on the “Chapter News” tab, which will give a running series of items of interest to our members, volunteers, and trail users.
Also check out the other tabs, such as “Members & Volunteers” for reporting forms and information on joining the chapter, as well as the chapter events calendar; “Trail Info” for maps, gear, and trail status and incident reporting forms; and “Lots More” for our newsletter archive and corridor planning information. You can also send a comment via a message panel on every page.
And don’t forget the newly re-launched Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation’s website as well, www.iceagetrail.org . It has a wealth of information. Explore!
Wonders of Wisconsin
You can vote for the IAT as your favorite Park or Trail at the Wonders of Wisconsin website. They are taking a survey (with a chance at prizes to reward you for your trouble). What’s important is that you vote to declare that the Ice Age Trail is truly a “Wonder of Wisconsin”! It’s in question 15. The voting goes until April 15. So far (as of this afternoon), the IAT was number 2 in the Park and Trails category (after Devils Lake).
A Through-Hiker, er, -Runner is coming
We’ve had a number of through-hikers over the years, but for the first time the Ice Age Trail will hear the steps of a through-runner. He’s Jason Dorgan of Madison, and he starts on April 14 at Interstate Park, arriving here (if all goes as planned) on Monday, April 16, and staying overnight at the Chippewa Moraine.
Jason is doing it, one presumes, because he loves to run. But he’s also trying to increase awareness of the Ice Age Trail and raise money for and memberships in the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation.
You can learn more at his website: http://www.iceagetrail1000.com/Jasons%20Thru%20Run.htm .
If you wish to connect and join him for part of the run, check out his map and watch the website (his and ours) for more information. He’s looking for takers!
You can email him directly at Jason@iceagetrail1000.com .
Come Talk about Stewardship Reauthorization at Joint Finance Committee Hearing
Help tell the legislature that reauthorization of Stewardship is critical to adding more pieces to the Ice Age Trail puzzle. Come to the public hearing on the new state budget right here in Chippewa Falls. The hearing is from 12 noon to 5 PM on Tuesday, March 27. You can come and register in support of Stewardship reauthorization without actually having to speak if you prefer. It would sure help for the Legislature to know that even folks up in the north-country want to see Stewardship reauthorized. It’s what pays for the land we have to acquire to build new trail on. Without it, we’re pretty much dead in the water, as far as continuing to build the trail is concerned. Check our website later for the exact location and other information.
History of Trail Featured in History Magazine
The current issue of the Wisconsin Magazine of History has a 14 page feature article on the history of the Ice Age Trail. It’s great reading, the pictures are great as well. It’s fascinating to learn more about the philosophy of Ray Zillmer, the trail’s founder, and the twisted path from National Park proposal to the trail (and Scientific Reserves) that we have today. You can read more on our website.
Chapter Event Calendar on Website
If you’ve misplaced your annual chapter event calendar (mailed in January), you can find it at our website. Save a step and just click on the following link and it will download directly to wherever your downloads go.
http://www.greendarner.com/ChippewaMoraine/_Media/2007trailcalendar1p.pdf
See you at our chapter meeting next Monday, or
See you on the trail!