DECODING THE DRIFTLESS...

The World Premiere of the film Decoding the Driftless was held at Viterbo University sponsored by the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership. The event was free and unfortunately hundreds of folks were turned away as all of the seats had been filled and we were included in those unfortunate first 100. 

Emmy winning film makers George Howe, Tim Jacobson, Rob Nelson, and Neil Rettig and Jonas Stenstrom of Untamed Science collaborated to reveal the many secrets to decoding the Driftless with hopes that we, the viewers and its residents will work to help conserve and preserve this very special region. 

From above the region and its ancient bluffs, to its oldest mighty river, the Mississippi, Effigy Mounds, deep caves and waterfalls with the country's largest migratory bird routes... we have the responsibility to preserve this national treasure which stretches from Madison, Wisconsin to Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

From Untamed Science:

Why is it special!

Because the glaciers missed the area, there exists a unique geology. There are landforms and animals non-existent in other parts of the midwest. Most people don’t know they exist though, which is why this educational outreach

. In particular, concentrating on these:

1. Effigy mounds – The native Americans built large burial mounds, often in the shape of animals. They scatter the landscape.
2. Cave Art – In the caves of the area, the Native American art is preserved. The story it tells is both interesting and shocking.
3. Caves, Sinkholes – There are limestone caves all throughout the area, all of which hold hidden passageways.
4. River Ecosystems – Some of the oldest rivers in the   world are here
5. Rare Ecosystems – Algific Talus Slopes, Goat Prairies, Dry Prairies, are but a few of the unique landscapes in the area.

   

   goat prairie

6. Springs – cold water resources in the driftless are home to some of the world’s best trout fishing. 
7. Glaciation – glacial geology shaped the area, but exactly why it missed this area is still a bit of a mystery.
8. Rare Species –Peregrines, monkshood, ice-age snails, timber rattlesnakes and other rare species call this area home.

We are fortunate to live amidst its magnificence every day here in the End of the Rainbow Valley, floods and all...

Here's a youtube clip :Decoding the Driftless