Queen Bee Session 3: Marci Hess

In the May 2022 Queen Bee Session, host Kriss Marion visits with her neighbor Marci Hess, a native habitat steward in rural Lafayette County, on the edge of the Driftless Region. Marci believes the Driftless should be declared the 8th wonder of the world, for all the unique geology and diverse habitat. She talks about “chunking out” the hills and ravines of her property - taking on different sections to rehabilitate each year so that the task of prairie restoration isn’t so overwhelming. Marci discusses her library of 500 references books, research on her kestrel nest boxes, how fire is just one of many prairie-maintenance tools and why insects are essential to human life. She also talks about living with the daily grief of lost species and climate crises. For more information on Marci's research, see her blog at driftlessprairies.org. For more information on Wisconsin Women in Conservation events and to receive The Buzz monthly newsletter, visit WiWiC.org.