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WSU student Amanda Rehrauer listens to Abbie Church of MVC Oct. 20 as she explains the geography of the Ledebuhr Bluff Property in Bluff Siding, Wis. MVC hosted the hike and clean up to mark the beginning of a partnership between the organizations.

A hike and conservation project on the 20-acre Ledebuhr Bluff Property in Bluff Siding, Wis. Oct. 20 marked the partnership of the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Winona State University.  MVC lead the hike to the top of the bluff where students cut down Buckthorn and Honeysuckle.  According to MVC, these are invasive species that are choking the natural prairie.

Helping with conservation projects like this is only one way WSU will be involved with MVC.

“MVC needs labor, needs biologists, they don’t have that stuff,” WSU professor Drake Hokanson said.

Hokanson brought about 30 students from the WSU Photo League to take photos and help with the labor.  He said that in the future he plans to bring more students to use the property as an outdoor classroom.

George Howe, MVC conservation director, said he was excited for the new partnership because he really needs the help to maintain the land.

“This is one of the rarest natural communities on Earth; we don’t want to lose it on our watch,” Howe said.

Hokanson said he sees the Ledebuhr Bluff Property as offering other opportunities to students.

“This is a much better stress reliever, this is much better for our corroded souls,” Hokanson said.