Ten Years Later

“Sauk Prairie Remembered” painting by Victor Bakhtin

August 6, 2023

My attempt to type up my old journals has long fallen to the wayside. But I still occasionally dust them off to see what I was doing and thinking on a certain date in past years. This might not warrant a blog post, except that today’s reading yielded the following from August 12, 2013:

“…just two days ago I became involved with the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance and their push for a low-human-impact management strategy on the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant lands…”

Again, this might not be significant on its own. My journals are full of grand schemes to get involved with this or that group or effort in line with my interests. However – and it’s humbling just to type this sentence – I recently took on the role of Executive Director of the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance.

There’s no coincidence here. After writing that journal entry, I remained involved in the prairie restoration world right up through the present day. Anyone who has spent more than a few minutes with me knows this is where my heart lies. Still, it’s poignant that I wrote those words without knowing I would get a chance to manage the Alliance.

And I’m pleased to report that this role is spiritually rewarding. It’s the perfect blend of outdoor fieldwork and indoor communications work for someone who has often felt torn between the two. Not to mention that the Sauk-Prairie area is a significant and beloved place for me and my family.

The Alliance has been advocating for conservation, education, recreation and research in this area for 25 years. My task now is to prepare us to face the challenges and opportunities of the next 25. It’s a big job, but my resolve is strengthened by the kind people and joyful experiences that populate my own decade of involvement.

The 2013 journal entry goes on to list the causes of my love for prairie: affection for my Driftless home, curiosity about the natural world, an interest in hiking, and the spiritual implications of a landscape resistant to fire. Although I wasn’t quite “Driftless Grace” yet, these are the same concepts that form my identity today.

I hope you’ll take a moment to celebrate with me and then look to the future.