An Ecological/Cultural Tour

Group Tour posing in front of "Earth, Sky, Water"

August 13th, 2025 - An interesting group of conservation professionals, interns, students, and ecologically minded artists gathered at the Little Eagle Arts Studio space. Located on the Ho-Chunk Nation’s parcel of the former Badger Lands, this space is used for the creation of art, and the celebration of culture. Melanie Tallmadge Sainz - Founding Director of LEAF, and an accomplished visual artist shared the mission of this powerfully creative organization. She and Angela Lowe - Treasurer of LEAF, also shared their stories of how the art piece next to the Great Sauk Trail, “Earth, Sky, Water” came into fruition. Randy Poelma - Ho-Chunk Nation Division of Environmental Health shared his decades-long restoration efforts of Mąą Wákąčąk, as well as his insight. Dr. Curt Meine - Apple Corps - Conservation Biologist, Historian, & Writer, was able to beautifully illuminate the overarching mission of the ties between ecological and cultural healing. Mike Mossman - Ecologist & Badger History Group President helped to fix the landscape into a historical, and geological timeframe. Dr. Alison Duff - USDA - Agricultural Research Service - Dairy Forage Research Center spoke of the important agricultural science being conducted. Robert Nurre - Landscape Historian - Apple Corps, shared his nuanced insight into history and culture. Ron Lutz II (not pictured 😉) - Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance offered information on stewardship opportunities.