“In the Mud” Award 2024
Author Archives: Lysianne Unruh
Thousand-Miler Recognition: Celebrating Adventure and Tenacity!
The class numbered 109 hikers, hailing from 58 communities across Wisconsin, while 12 hikers came from other states: Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and Vermont. Of this group, 96 section-hiked the Ice Age Trail, extending their adventure over several years. For example, one hiker began his journey on May 10, 2003, completing it 7,469 days later, on October 20, 2023.
Intense Heat Fails to Wilt Good Spirits
Storrs Lake Segment MSC
June 21-25, 2023
Nonetheless, 51 stalwart volunteers donated 1,181 service hours to build an 856-foot boardwalk during the 5-day MSC project.
A Genuine Team Effort Expands the Trail!
Wins Delivered for Many Participants.
Article author: Tricia Baker, guest writer and member of the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter
2023 Trail Steward of the Year: John Kolbe
John Kolbe, a resident of Delafield and member of the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter, was named Trail Steward of the Year. The Ice Age Trail Alliance staff bestowed this honor during the Awards and Recognition Ceremony at the Annual Conference and Membership Meeting in Sheboygan in April 2023.
These contributions include:
- Strengthening landowner and/or partner relations;
- Trail layout, design, and construction;
- Significant trail maintenance and stewardship efforts.
2023 Spirit Stick Caretaker: Bob Funk
Robert “Bob” Funk, a resident of Whitewater and member of the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter, is the Spirit Stick caretaker for 2023. The Ice Age Trail Alliance staff bestowed this honor during the Awards and Recognition Ceremony at the Annual Conference and Membership Meeting, in Sheboygan, in April 2023.
Bob Funk inspires the entire Ice Age Trail Alliance community with his passion for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. His long-time dedication has encompassed a wide range of activities: Trailbuilding and maintenance, Crew Leadership, and serving for many years on the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Board of Directors.
Burn Season Notice
Spring = Burn Season in Southern Wisconsin
Each year, in southern Wisconsin, between late March and mid-May, prescribed burns on Alliance-owned preserves and properties owned by the state, county, or private land-owners will close sections of the Ice Age National Scenic. These closures may last for hours, or sometimes for a day or two.
The Alliance will post day-of-event property-specific burn notices for Alliance-owned preserves. However, we cannot always track the prescribed burns happening on properties owned by the state, county, or private-landowners.
Two Events Complete a Successful Season
Firth Lake Segment: October 17 – 21
How’s that for a wildcard project? It muscled its way onto the calendar a few months ago when funding from the National Park Service came through. Typically, projects of this magnitude are planned out a year or two in advance. Continue reading
Nearly a Mile of Brand-New Trail!
Explore Marathon County’s Newest Gem!
Tremendous Progress on Trail Reroute!
Guidebook Photo Contest
Submit Your Favorite Ice Age Trail Photos!
Fresh Tread in a Storybook Setting
2022 Trail Steward of the Year: Gerald “Jerry” Pfeifer
The Trail Steward of the Year award recognizes a volunteer whose work contributes in an extraordinary manner to Trail management and development.
These contributions include:
- Strengthening landowner and/or partner relations;
- Trail layout, design, and construction;
- Significant trail maintenance and stewardship efforts.
2022 Spirit Stick Caretaker: Debbie Krogwold
Debbie Krogwold inspires the entire Ice Age Trail Alliance community with her passion for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Her long-time dedication has encompassed a wide range of activities: Trail maintenance and promotion as well as the nitty-gritty details of chapter administration.
Membership Will Look Great on You!
Get your exclusive knit cap.
Now’s a great time to become a member of the Ice Age Trail Alliance!
Your membership will support trailbuilding activities happening in 2022. It will also help with land protection efforts. Plus, it will also get you an exclusive Ice Age Trail Alliance stocking cap (while supplies last!).
For new members only! Colors may vary.
Ice Age Trail Alliance Receives Prestigious National Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service
Ice Age Trail Alliance is the Recipient of 2020 National Hartzog Volunteer Group Award
Volunteers’ hard work and dedication not only builds, supports, and maintains the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, it also wins awards.
In 2020, while most National Parks shut down and volunteer activities were stymied, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail remained open and its volunteers continued trailbuilding, maintenance, and support. In fact, a total of 1,499 Alliance volunteers spent nearly 53,300 hours on Ice Age Trail-related activities; all while adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing safety protocols.
Protect Langlade’s Glacial Landscape!
It’s an area where moraines once collided, resulting in amazing glaciation and hummocky terrain. It would be a hiker’s dream to traverse. But right now, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail currently runs along roads. With your help, this will change.
Three New Miles of Trail in Dane County!
A New Bridge Spans Sailor Creek!
Meet Melissa Pierick
The staff and board of the Ice Age Trail Alliance are thrilled to welcome Melissa Pierick, our new Director of Marketing and Community Relations!
Melissa will work closely with staff in the Trail, Lands, and Philanthropy programs to improve specific program and cross-program advancement through marketing and outreach. She will implement short- and long-range initiatives associated with the strategic plan and other operational goals, especially those which maximize the Alliance’s profile, reputation, and image.
The members of the Communications staff peppered Melissa with a few questions, excited to learn more about her:
I am very excited to have the opportunity to help spread the word about this amazing National Scenic Trail that we are SO lucky to have in Wisconsin. I believe every resident in Wisconsin should know about it—even if they’re not hikers.
Help Our Precious Pollinators!
Joining Forces to Improve Water Quality
By Luke Kloberdanz, Director of Philanthropy for the Ice Age Trail Alliance
Recently, the Alliance joined in partnership with an iconic brand, New Glarus Brewing Company and its Only in Wisconsin Giving, Inc. Charitable Foundation. Established in 1993, the New Glarus Brewing Company’s philosophy is based on individuality, cooperation, and the employment of 100% natural ingredients to produce world-class, handcrafted beers. Like the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which meanders exclusively throughout the state, the New Glarus Brewing Company proudly claims their beers are brewed “Only in Wisconsin”.
Trail Steward of the Year Award: Jerry Sazama
We Make a Life by What We Give
By Tricia Baker, volunteer writer for the Ice Age Trail Alliance
David Lonsdorf Receives Cherished Spirit Stick Award
