Kishwauketoe performed its job during the period of very heavy rains in April by preventing local flooding and keeping the waters of Geneva Lake crystal clear. KNC essentially functions as a giant sponge by holding back and slowly filtering large amounts of sudden rainfall. This ephemeral pond temporarily formed in the north central area of KNC in April and served as a temporary home for numerous waterfowl including Canada geese, mallards, blue wing teal, hooded mergansers an

The new replacement steel “Bridge to Nature” was installed over Southwick Creek near the main entrance to Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy on October 9, 2025. Custom manufactured by Bridge Brothers in South Carolina, our new bridge was installed by Glen Fern Construction of Lake Geneva. The new bridge replaces the previous cedar wood bridge that sustained heavy structural damage when a June, 2024 tornado passed through the Village and Kishwauketoe’s main entrance area. The Joh

With the yearly color change, it is important to understand why trees go through this process. Throughout the summer months, when trees are actively growing, the majority of the plant’s nutrients are stored within the leaf tissue

On September 27, 2025, our community came together for the Annual Wine Walk at Kiswauketoe — and what an incredible event it was! With gorgeous 83-degree, sunny weather as the perfect backdrop, guests enjoyed an evening filled with great wine, connection, and community spirit. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many passionate volunteers and partners, the event was a tremendous success for KNC. From start to finish, the energy was high, the atmosphere was joyful, a

Soon, when the frost is out of the soil, the frogs and toads in Kish’s wetland areas will be in full, amorous chorus, restlessly looking for mates after a cold, lonely winter. Turtles and toads will awaken. Red-winged blackbirds will suddenly appear, defiant and brave, fearful of nothing. In the woods, migrating birds, like the Eastern Bluebird, will be spotted if not heard screeching first. Bloodroot, Trillium and Cut-Tooth Spiderwort (I love that name!), along with other s

Our Heritage Oak, awarded “Oldest Oak Tree” winner in the Black Oak category in 2022 by the Geneva Lake Conservancy, has succumbed to the inevitability of Nature’s life cycle. While taking a quiet, late afternoon walk through Kishwauketoe, it was surprising and unexpected when I saw our Great Oak…there she was, silent, broken, her great canopy lying quiet and still upon the ground in the white satin of a fresh, light snow. She looked tired, peaceful and content, a long life

If you walk the trail, from west to east, past Kishwauketoe’s open prairie on your right and the Viewing Tower on your left, and ascend upwards toward the mature oak and hickory woodland, you’ll notice what may appear to be a stark transition from prairie to woods; but what you’re really seeing, if you slow down and REALLY look hard, is a remnant of what is called, in Midwest ecological terminology, an “Oak Opening”. You see, white, burr, and black oaks are able to withstand

After the destructive impact on numerous trees throughout Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy (KNC) as a result of the June 22, 2024 tornado, KNC volunteers applied for and received a special Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant to assist with professional tree removal and trimming services. Immediately following the storm damage, numerous KNC volunteers jumped into action to clear as much of the storm debris as possible. Two neighboring community members even donated

Controlled burns help to preserve and maintain the land.