June 6, 2026
Belleville, WI
Carrie & Vanessa
Wild Oakes Preserve
"We are protecting this land not from people, but for people, and all the living things that depend on it."
For generations, this valley has supported farming, wildlife, recreation, and moments of connection with nature. Saved from development in 2020, it now spans 415 acres as Wild Oaks Preserve, co-managed by Badgerland Foundation and the Driftless Area Land Conversancy (DALC).
The shared vision is to preserve the property's rural character by bringing together wildlife habitat, sustainable agriculture, and a trail system that allows people to connect with the land.
The mission is to permanently protect wildlife, promote healthy soil and water, and engage diverse groups of people.
Fil Sanna serves as the Site Steward of the land, and Vanessa first became involved with the project in the spring of 2025 as a land management specialist, and will continue working alongside Fil and community volunteers this coming spring.
https://www.driftlessconservancy.org/wild-oaks-preserve
For all the days along the way