PRESCOTT – The Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center is celebrating its 15-year anniversary during their upcoming Sunset Soirée, an important annual fundraiser that allows the Visitor Center, and the Friends of Freedom Park, to carry forward with projects that help further their mission. _One of their top-priority projects for funding is Freedom Park’s bluff prairie restoration project._ You’ve probably heard about Freedom Park’s periodic goat visits. Maybe you’ve even met the goats! Dorothy Ahlgren (pictured), local historian and co-author with Mary Cotter Beeler of “The History of Prescott,” made the first donation toward the goat project. Having goats on the bluff is part of a project started by the founding members of the Friends of Freedom Park. That’s right – the building’s not the only thing turning 15 this year. The prairie restoration project is, too! Despite member and staff turnover, the Friends of Freedom Park have continued to support the goals set by the founding Friends._ From a document written in 2006 by Maureen Otwell, the first Executive Director of the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center: “We are planning to make the park a destination for the restoration of prairie and savanna ecological systems within the Upper Mississippi region. This will distinguish us from other parks in the area and allow us to set up continuing education programs and projects in landscape restoration along the Mississippi bluffs.”

The park’s bluff covers two acres. That’s a lot to manage – especially when that area is so steep and overgrown. Happily, goats have no problem on the bluff’s steep decline and love to eat the invasive plants they can reach within their portable fencing. Goats are_a preferred solution because they work fast, penetrate tough-to-reach areas easily, and are ecofriendly. _ This project is close to Freedom Park’s heart, and the Friends continue to invest in innovative, effective ways to push this project forward. By partnering with landscaping and restoration professionals, the Friends are honoring one of their original goals. Financial support from individuals and organizations is what allows this project to continue. If you resonate with this effort, love prairie restoration, or maybe just want to be able to say you bought a goat, you can donate to the cause during Freedom Park’s virtual silent auction, Aug. 14-21. The auction is part of Freedom Park’s annual fundraiser, and will feature lots of great experiences and items to choose from._Visit freedomparkwi.org

Submitted by the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center

Photo courtesy of Freedom Park