Archery for all Ages Dog Sled Races

See insert for full schedule. Consider it refrigerator art.

Find frequent updates on Facebook.

Bundle up and join us!

Fees for 2018 By Marcy West, Executive Director

The Kickapoo Reserve Management Board (KRMB) voted to increase the

Kickapoo Valley Reserve (Reserve) user fees for 2018 during their

November meeting. Daily use and parking permits increase $1 to total $5

per adult for trail use or $5 per vehicle parked at river

access sites: annual permits will increase $5 to total $20

per individual and $35 per family. Camping fees will re-

main the same; $10 per hike-in or river-access, and $15

for vehicle access sites for up to 10 people.

Most readers know, the Reserve is a unique entity

administratively. The Joint Management Agreement with

the Ho-Chunk Nation, the State legislation creating the

Reserve (41.41) and the subsequent Master Plans have

all referenced the use of fees to help fund maintenance of the Reserve.

Fees were initiated in 2000 at a rate of $3 per day use and $10 for annual

permits; camping fees started at $10 per night for all sites and in 2012 ve-

hicle access campsites increased to $15 per night. Following the comple-

tion of river access site improvements and the addition of porta-potty rent-

al services, the KRMB added the $4/day fee for parking in 2006. Unlike

most public properties, all revenues generated are expended on the Re-

serve.

A non-scientific, electronic survey that was sent to the permit

holders and posted on the Facebook page regarding fees this fall, resulted

in 183 responses from a variety of zip codes. On the question of what peo-

ple would be willing to pay for an annual pass, 63% of responses indicated

they were willing to pay twenty dollars or more for an annual permit. The

survey responses, in addition to a clearer understanding of expenses guid-

ed the KRMB decision.

Fee revenue in Fiscal Year 2017 (7/2016-6/2017) generated roughly

one-third of funds needed for maintenance of trails, campsites, river access

areas, invasive species removal, habitat restoration and flood repair costs.

Agriculture leases and timber harvest revenues round out the income

sources for care of the 8,600 acres. State appropriations through the Forest

Mill Tax fund the upkeep of the buildings, permanent staff and aids in lieu

of tax payments to local municipalities until fiscal year 2019 when it will

convert to General Purpose Revenue. The KRMB and staff will continue to

work toward a balance of revenue and expenses that allow for continued

improvements in line with the mission to “Preserve and Protect.”

As one survey response commented: Honestly, I would probably

pay whatever. Me NOT going to the KVR is NOT an option. If fees go up,

it's fine with me.

The KRMB and staff recognize the KVR has a strong and supportive

following and look forward to sharing the Reserve with visitors in 2018.

Winter Recreation

Recreation on the Reserve doesn’t stop in

the winter months. In fact, for some, it

might just get better.

Come hike to the Ice

Caves and explore

natures ever changing

show. Year after year

they never cease to

disappoint. Kickapoo Val-

ley Riders Snowmobile

Club, groom and maintain

the snowmobile trail from Viola to Rockton.

There are snowmobile trail maps available

at the Visitor Center. Break out your skis as

the snow falls on the valley. The KVR staff

will again be grooming approximately 9

miles of Cross Country Ski trails for

enthusiasts to get outside and enjoy.

Snowshoeing is always a great way to enjoy

the KVR in winter. Reminder that those

using snowshoes should use the

ungroomed edge of the cross country ski

trail. An exciting addition to The Village of

La Farge is an Ice Skating Rink. It is located

on Mill Street about a block and a half

south of Nuzums’s. Don’t have skates? The

KVR has some for you to use. Stop by the

Visitor Center and sign them out. Winter

Hiking is allowed anywhere on the KVR.

The beauty of the KVR changes with every

season. Get out and enjoy the secrets the

KVR keeps in the winter months.

River Access Parking $5.00 / Vehicle

Day Use/Person $5.00/ Person (Under

16 years old no cost)

Day Use/ Family $15.00

Annual Permit/Individual $20.00

Annual Permit/ Family $35.00

Non-Vehicle Accessible

Camping

$10/night - Max 10

people per site

Vehicle Accessible

Camping

$15/night - Max 10

people per site

What’s Happening at the KVR

Dec. 13 - Nuzum Talk - Driftless Dialogue

Elk in Wisconsin 6:30pm

Dec 23 - Kickapoo Valley Christmas Bird Count

Dec 24 & 25 - Visitor Center Closed

Dec 30 - La Farge Christmas Bird Count

Jan 1 - Visitor Center Closed

Jan 1 - Dec. 31, 2018 KVR Trail Challenge

Jan 2– Creative Communities Art Canvases

Available

Jan 2- Land Management Mtg. 5:30pm

Jan 4 - Youth Ski Club Starts

Jan 13 - WINTER FESTIVAL 2018 10am

Jan 18 - KRMB Meeting 7pm

Jan 20 - Ice Cave Hike

Jan 24 - Nuzum Talk - Driftless Dialogue

The Future of Wisconsin’s Peregrines 6:30pm

Jan 27 - Ice Cave Hike

Feb 3 - Ice Cave Hike

Feb 10- Ice Cave Hike

Feb 15 - KRMB Meeting 7pm

Feb 21 - Nuzum Talk - Why Driftless?

6:30 pm

Feb 24 - Storm Moon Hike 5-7 pm

Feb 26 - Creative Communities Art

Canvases Due @ KVR Visitor Center

Mar 1 - Education & Tourism Mtg. 5:30pm

Mar 2-3 - Creative Communities Art Ex-

hibit Grand Opening Weekend @ Visitor

Center

Mar 15 - KRMB Meeting 7pm

March 5 - 25 CC Art Canvas Online Auc-

tion

Need details? kickapoovalley.wi.gov

Elk in Wisconsin

The Ralph Nuzum Lecture Series covers a wide range of topics relating

to the Kickapoo Valley people, history or natural surroundings. The

December Nuzum lecture Wednesday Dec 13th, the KVR will host Scott

Roeke who will lead the talk on Elk in Wisconsin. The talk begins at 7

PM; refreshments at 6:30 P.M. Tell a buddy, bring a friend.

The Ralph Nuzum Lecture Series is free thanks to a grant by The Ralph

E Nuzum Kickapoo Reforestation Fund through the UW - Madison

College of Ag & Life Science, and The Friends of the Kickapoo Valley

Reserve. Past programs are available on video through the YouTube

Channel website. http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Lecture-Series/

Lecture-Series-Video/

The nation's longest-running citizen science bird project fuels Audu-

bon science throughout the year.

Volunteers are sought for the 118th Annual Christmas Bird Count

(CBC). Two CBC events will occur in the Kickapoo Valley….. Saturday Dec

23rd is the Kickapoo Valley Count, including the areas of Wilton, Ontario and

Norwalk, and on Saturday Dec 30 is the La Farge Count. A CBC survey area

consists of a 15 mile diameter circle. Teams of volunteers are sent forth

recording bird species and their abundance within the circle. Most of the

survey is conducted from a vehicle, but for those so inclined, volunteers can

also get out on foot. In addition, data collected from bird feeders can be

included, if the site is located within the CBC circle.

Contact Ben.johnston@wisconsin.gov

or 608 625 2960 to sign up. More

information on the CBC can be found

at the Audubon Christmas Bird Count

website.

Kickapoo Valley Reserve

S 3661 State Hwy 131

La Farge, WI 54639

Jan. 2 - Canvases available for pick up at the Visitor Center

Jan. 11- Canvases available for pick up at local Libraries

Feb. 26– Canvases due at Visitor Center by 4:30pm

March 2-3 - Creative Communities Canvas Exhibit Grand Opening Weekend

March 5-25 - Creative Communities Online Canvas Auction www.biddingowl.com

March 26 - Purchased canvases available for pick up at the Visitor Center

Saturday, March 3rd, 2018

9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Come join us for a day of art exploration. Attendees will meet four local artists, work with them and their mediums for 90 minutes each, and take home art projects.

Adults only, no experience required. Fee: $75/person

Tuesday, January 2 - Sunday, March 25, 2018 Creative Communities Art

Celebration is a community art project involving artists of all ages and

talents from area communities. Participants receive a 6-inch-by-6-inch

art canvas to artistically interpret the following word as it pertains to

nature: WISDOM

. Art canvases will ultimately be sold through an online auction with

proceeds going to the KVR Education & Events Program. Canvases will

be available for pick up at the KVR Visitor Center and at various local

libraries.

Friends of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve News

Weister Creek Restoration

The Weister Creek Habitat Restoration Project is continuing to

move along. In 2017, work was completed on Phase 3 of the

project. Phase 4 is already underway and most of the stream

corridor has been cleared of brush and small trees. The DNR

will be hauling rock to the site this winter when the ground is

frozen. The actual habitat work for Phase 4 will be done in the

spring of 2018 and will continue to include habitat installs for

frogs, turtles, birds and snakes. This phase of the project is

possible through support from Trout Unlimited Chapters and

Friends of the KVR, who have donated and continue to donate

to the project, along with all our partners from the DNR, Ho-

Chunk Nation, Vernon County Land and Water, Organic Valley

and volunteers. Funds are currently needed for Phase 5, the

final phase of this exciting project. As work is completed a hik-

ing trail is being and will continue to be maintained along each

side of the stream. Thanks to Board Member Paul Hayes for

being instrumental in securing funding and donating countless

hours to see this project through!

Lots of great, locally

sourced gifts and

stocking stuffers in

the gift shop.

Support the Friends

of the KVR and shop

local this

holiday season!

Youth division winner

LF Photo Class

2017 Photo Contest Winner

Spring Blooms– Hepatica - Linda Erbs

2017 Photo Contest Winners Gift Shop