Title: What is the Driftless region? Category: Summary: An explanation and fun description of the area we live in. Tips: Please remember to use masking tape to put up this bulletin board rather than staple it up. This protects the board so it can be used again. RA add-in: are any of your residents from the driftless region? If so, who and where are they from? If not, highlight some local attractions within the region that your residents might find interesting

What is the Driftless Region?

Location The Driftless Region is a region in the American Midwest that escaped glaciation in the last glacial period. This region is primarily located in southwestern Wisconsin, but also includes areas of northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and extreme northwestern Illinois.

Vegetation Prior to European settlement, the vegetation consisted of tallgrass prairie and oak savannas. Currently the Midwest Driftless Area Restoration Effort is attempting to restore the landscape, with the main issues being water pollution and erosion from agricultural and animal runoff.

Geology The Driftless area includes several unique landforms such as caves, disappearing streams, blind valleys, underground streams, sinkholes, springs, and cold streams. Bedrock is often very close to the surface. In areas where it is not exposed, it is very close to the surface and comprised mostly limestone, dolomite, and gypsum.

Fun Fact Spring Green, WI is known as the Wisconsin Desert. At the Spring Green Preserve you can get a taste of the American West, this includes cacti, lizards, sand dunes and dry grasses.

Fun Fact This region is the only area in the Midwest with native earthworms! Earthworms elsewhere in the state and Midwest are actually invasive.

Spring Green Reserve

Fun Fact This region has one of the greatest densities of organic farms in the nation.

Things to do in the Driftless Region Visit House on the Rock Visit the Spring Green Reserve Visit a state park – Governor Dodge, Wyalusing, Belmont Mound, Wildcat Mountain Canoeing and Kayaking on the Wisconsin River- these can be rented from UWP! Winter fun- snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating. On local trails/ski hills Explore historic landmarks- First State Capital- Belmont, WI Go camping at any state park