Where is Drift’s Edge Nature Conservancy located?

The DENC property is located in Belleville, Wisconsin just 20 miles South of Madison.  To maintain the privacy of the landowners, the address is not published on this website.  Please visit our Visit page for more information and contact info@driftsedgeconservancy.org to request permission for a visit.

How did Drift’s Edge Nature Conservancy get its name?

The DENC property is uniquely situated on the border between Wisconsin’s driftless and glaciated landscapes.  The Driftless Area is a region of the Midwest that was left untouched by the glaciers during the last Ice Age.  The Driftless Area is generally less flat and more rigid than the neighboring glaciated region.  As implied by the name, the Driftless Area lacks glacial drift, which is a term for sediments deposited by glaciers.  With its rolling hills and ridges, the Driftless Area harbors flora and fauna unique to its higher ground, with bluffs skirting the oak savanna and wetlands that characterize the neighboring glaciated region.

For more information on the Driftless Area, please visit this article by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

Which sections of the Drift’s Edge Nature Conservancy property are accessible to the public?

The Southern forest is accessible to the public with permission from the landowners.

Please visit the Trail Maps page to view maps of the Southern forest.

What activities are permitted on the Drift’s Edge Nature Conservancy property?

To preserve the natural habitats of the property, DENC has a strict ‘leave only footprints and take only photos’ policy.  Hiking, photography, and cross-country skiing are permitted on the property.  Activities with more direct impacts on the local ecosystem (such as fishing) may be permitted by the landowners in advance.  Please contact info@driftsedgeconservancy.org to request permission to visit and/or discuss permitted activities.  Hunting, picking plants, and interacting with wildlife is strictly prohibited.

How can I get involved with Drift’s Edge Nature Conservancy?

For more information on future opportunities, please visit the Get Involved and Events pages.