2024 | Valley Stewardship Network, Coon Creek & Neighboring Watersheds

 

Contact

Applicant Organization: Valley Stewardship Network

Contact: Shelly Benneman

Email: shelly@valleystewardshipnetwork.org

Project

Stronger Together: A Watershed Council Collaboration 

 Revitalizing Coon Creek and Building a Regional Model for Conservation Through Partnership 

 

In the rolling hills of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, where ancient valleys carve through limestone and sandstone, a quiet revolution in conservation is taking root. At the heart of this movement lies the Coon Creek Watershed, a place with a storied past and a hopeful future. 

Once the site of one of the nation’s first watershed restoration projects in the 1930s, Coon Creek is again poised to lead. This time, the effort is driven not by federal mandates, but by farmers, landowners, and local communities—united under the banner of the Valley Stewardship Network (VSN) and supported by the Fishers & Farmers Partnership. 

The project, titled “Stream Stewardship Through Watershed Council Leadership,” is more than a conservation initiative. It’s a grassroots movement to heal the land, protect the waters, and empower the people who call this region home. With a total budget of nearly $300,000—$74,969.64 of which is requested from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service—the project aims to transform how watersheds are managed across Vernon and Crawford Counties. 

 

Coon Creek: A Model for the Region 

Coon Creek is the centerpiece of this ambitious plan. Here, VSN and its partners will develop a comprehensive watershed plan—a blueprint for restoring water quality, reducing flood risks, and enhancing biodiversity. This plan will serve as a model for nine other watersheds, helping to replicate success across the region. 

From August 2024 through February 2026, teams will collect water samples at 21 stream locations, comparing new data with a decade of historical records. These insights will guide the implementation of prairie STRIPS—narrow bands of native vegetation planted within croplands to filter runoff, reduce erosion, and create habitat. 

 

A Farmer-Led, Community-Driven Approach 

What sets this project apart is its bottom-up approach. Five watershed councils—including the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council—are at the helm, supported by VSN’s technical expertise and a network of partners like the Wisconsin DNR, Trout Unlimited, and Grassland 2.0. 

Together, they will: 

• Consult with 50+ farmers and landowners to promote regenerative practices. 

• Plant 70 acres of prairie STRIPS, with follow-up support to ensure long-term success. 

• Host 36 community meetings and events, fostering collaboration and shared learning. 

• Launch a Youth-Led Watershed Council, complete with mentoring, mini-grants, and a certificate program to inspire the next generation of stewards. 

 

The Hill Country Watershed Alliance: A New Era of Collaboration 

To knit these efforts together, the project will continue to strengthen the Hill Country Watershed Alliance—a regional network that connects councils, shares resources, and amplifies impact. This alliance will ensure that the lessons learned in Coon Creek ripple outward, strengthening the entire Upper Mississippi River Basin. 

As climate change intensifies and flood events become more frequent, the need for resilient, community-led partnerships and solutions has never been greater. The Hill County Watershed Alliance is ready to lead with a coalition of farmers, youth, scientists, and neighbors working hand in hand. 

Together, they are not just restoring a stream. They are redefining what it means to care for the land and water—and building a legacy of stewardship that will endure for generations.