December 2022

Dear Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve Members,

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.” ee cummings

Poet E.E. Cummings often commented on the beauty of our natural world. "Mudluscious" could have been describing one's delight in a summer hike on our North End Trails. Many of our trails provide an intimacy with nature that is hard to find anywhere else. Yes, sometimes they have puddles and are muddy, but they are luscious and wonderful at the same time!

Our trails provide an opportunity for an up close look at a wide variety of mosses, ferns, mushrooms, trees and fauna. With your help, we are working to preserve the primitive aspects of our northern forests, giving everyone an opportunity to learn about and experience their beauty.

Your support has allowed us to protect our forests and educate our community. In 2022 we were able to:

Gather· again in person with our members for the Annual Spring Reception and summer lecture series
Add to our land holdings, including a generous gift of 20 acres
Fund the "Wild Madeline Project" extending the Northland College assessment of wildlife communities on Madeline Island
Continue our fight against the spread of invasive species on Madeline Island
Enhance our North End trails with ·new trail maps, parking areas and trail head signage
Partner with Madeline Island. Trails to groom our trails in the winter for cross country skiing and snowshoeing
Expand our MIWP.org website to better communicate with our members and the community

Please give as generously as you can and we will continue to preserve this beautiful island forest for future generations to explore and enjoy. Visit us at MIWP.org to donate and find out about our events.

Thanks for your continuing support!

Sincerely,

Steve Mueller, Board President