Kinnickinnic River Land Trust

Working with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.

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June Phenology Report

In 1998, the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust purchased the 70 acre property that is now known as Kelly Creek Preserve. The preserve houses a special tributary of the upper Kinnickinnic River called Kelly Creek. This cold, clean feeder stream with wild native brook trout is an important spawning area and includes many springs plus important wetlands as well as remnants of native plant communities. Kelly Creek rises from springs under a picturesque limestone outcropping, and is free flowing the short length to where it meets the main branch of the Kinnickinnic River near County Road J, in the Town of Kinnickinnic. Pumping out more than 700,000 gallons of water per day, Kelly Creek spring helps sustain the cool temperatures vital for naturally reproducing Brown and Brook Trout. Kelly Creek Preserve has been restored to native prairie and oak savanna. The Preserve is open to the public and has been used by local educators and groups as an educational site.

I Want To Support Adventure!

Monthly phenology reports about the Kinnickinnic River and watershed are brought to life by Jane Baffert, UW-RF senior majoring in environmental conservation.

The Impact of a Prairie in the Watershed   

Kelly Creek Preserve is a beautiful stretch of native prairie and oak savanna. Upon arriving at the preserve, one can look out into the vast, open space and take in the beauty of the blooming wildflowers and buzzing pollinators. A small footrail will lead you north to experience more views of the preserve, as well as the winding Kelly Creek. Native prairies are a vital part in keeping watersheds and rivers clean, as their rich soil regulates and processes precipitation. 


Daisy Fleabane   

Daisy Fleabane is a common daisy here in the Midwest and can be seen across the Kelly Creek Preserve. These flowers begin blooming in early spring and can continue through August. These resilient little flowers are popular with pollinator species such as bees, flies, and butterflies. Daisy Fleabane leaves are edible and can be used in summer salads or sautés. Their leaves contain nutrients that can benefit cell health and have several uses in traditional native healing practices.


Wild Bergamot   

Check out this busy bee! These purple wildflowers are part of the mint family and are called wild bergamot, or bee balm. As their name indicates, bee balm are popular nectar source plants for honeybees and can also attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Bee balm stems, leaves, and flowers are all edible and can be used in seasonings and teas. These versatile and adaptive flowers can grow in various different moisture and soil types. While research is still underway, there may be developing evidence that compounds in bee balm can be used as a natural mosquito repellent! 

       Click the link below for more details on rules, regulations, and safety tips for foraging in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin DNR Foraging Safety Tips!

Protect the Kinni

2013©Robert W. Chambers

Your contribution helps us keep the Kinni cold, clean, and free ... forever!

Click Here To Donate!

Kinni River Recreation Map

2013©Robert W. Chambers

See Our  Preserves  »

What’s New

Annual Meeting 2023

THOUGH IT CAN’T LAST – A Dialogue between a poet and a photographer.

Land Trust Days

Kinni Kurrents

Latest river conditions:

Click here to view the current Kinnickinnic River gage information!

Stream:

Clarity:

Gage/camera location is upstream of Highway F. Source: USGS National Water Information System

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Get to know staff member, Steve Leonard! Steve i Get to know staff member, Steve Leonard! 

Steve is the Executive Director at Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Steve has many responsibilities within the Trust and stated, "I listen to people who already have a sense of connection with the Kinni River; it helps me understand their personal passions of why they love the river so much, their concerns of keeping it clean, and what the future might look like. For others who might not have a personal connection to the river, I hope to develop a sense of place, so they too can develop a passion to help us protect the Kinni River, for many generations to come". 

 #wisconsin #phenology #earth #riverfalls #nature #conservation #prairie #landtrust #mothernature #green
Take a walk through the Community Forest 🌲 The Take a walk through the Community Forest 🌲 The Community Forest is a wonderful place to take a walk as the forest is alive with beautiful plants and animals this time of year!
It's Phenology Friday! 🐝 You may have noticed It's Phenology Friday! 🐝

You may have noticed that a buzz has filled the air as our pollinator friends are active again after a long, cold winter. Bee's rely on flowers for nectar and pollen, and these tiny insects pollinate a majority of the crops we, as humans, rely on for food. Native prairie on KRLT preserves host a variety of wildflowers, making the preserves a wonderful haven for the bees, and a great spot for us to catch them in action!

 #bee #wisconsin #riverfalls #conservation #flowers #earth #nature #prairie #landtrust #phenology
Join us tomorrow from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm for Get O Join us tomorrow from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm for Get Outside and Leave No Trace hike at The Community Forest and neighboring City of River Falls trails! 

There are two locations where you can chat with KRLT, @kinnicorridorcollaborative , and the @leavenotraceorg team about ways to leave no trace when enjoying the great outdoors! 1st location is at The Community Forest parking lot off of HWY FF the 2nd location is Trailhead #11 off of River Ridge Road (see map). 

This is a self-guided hike. There will be a light cleanup and nature scavenger hunt for the kiddos! Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Hope to see you there!
Get to know KRLT staff member, Marty Engel! Marty Get to know KRLT staff member, Marty Engel!

Marty is the Land Stewardship Manager at Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Marty works with landowners to protect conservation values on their property and helps to facilitate fish, wildlife, and habitat improvement on conservation easements. 

KRLT appreciates all the hard work that Marty does to protect the Kinni!
Let's talk about Kelly Creek! Kelly Creek was pu Let's talk about Kelly Creek! 

Kelly Creek was purchased by the KRLT in 1998 and consists of 70 acres of restored prairie and oak savanna. The Kelly Creek Preserve is a great place to visit to enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, foraging, and observing wildlife. Make sure to check out the preserve this month as wildflowers begin to bloom! 🌸

 #kinniriver #riverfalls #earth #nature #flowers #discoverwisconsin #wisconsin #conservation #mothernature #green
It's Phenology Friday! 🌸 The May Phenology Rep It's Phenology Friday! 🌸

The May Phenology Report is out now on the KRLT Website. Read through this month's phenology report to discover what ecological changes are occurring during this time of year. Click the link in the bio to check it out!

 #phenology #greenspaces #nature #grow #kinniriver #earth #landtrust #riverfalls #prairie #flowers
Due to the weather, this morning's highway cleanup Due to the weather, this morning's highway cleanup has been canceled. Here's a little sunshine from last summer at Kelly Creek Preserve!
Get to know KRLT staff member, Molly Barritt! Mo Get to know KRLT staff member, Molly Barritt! 

Molly is the Donor and Community Relations Manager at Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Molly is passionate about conservation and educating our youth on the importance of spending time in nature. 

Pictured is the first trout that Molly caught next to the Community Forest!
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