Mysteries of the Driftless - The Documentary

The documentary is LIVE! Help spread the word.

After nearly 2 years of shooting and post production we're finally ready to release the full Driftless Zone documentary. We had a sold out show at the World Premier September 16th in La Crosse and we wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to watch the documentary and share with friends and family in the driftless.

The Mysteries of the Driftless is a documentary about a team of explorers and scientists kayaking down deeply cut tributary valleys, flying in ultralights, and climbing rocky bluffs to reveal answers to the mysteries within the driftless area. Their journey will expose both the science and threats behind three unique features of the zone - rare plants and animals, odd geological phenomenon, and striking remnants of a Native American pilgrimage like no other.

What these explorers reveal will not only give the audience a greater appreciation for the unique diversity of this "island of land" that escaped glacial scouring, but will inspire a greater appreciation for this amazing area. The goal is not to answer all the mysteries, but to document the exploratory process for the viewers. In the end, the film will ignite the curiosity of viewers to discover more about the area for themselves.

Produced by Untamed Science and the Mississippi Valley Conservancy.

Supporting Educational Collaborators:
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Untamed Science
Wisconsin Public Television
Riverland Conservancy
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
The Prairie Enthusiasts
Current Designs Kayaks
La Crosse Community Foundation
Gundersen Memorial Fund
Vernon County Tourism Council
Radisson Hotel La Crosse
Paul E. Stry Foundation
Coulee Region Trout Unlimited
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership
NewGround, Inc.
Visjonær Consulting & Communications

If you want to own your own physical copy of this, you can contact the Mississippi Valley Conservancy to purchase the full DVD including bonus features.

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Here are more links to our work:

[PlanetMojo]

I live smack-dab in the middle of the driftless region. We are restoring our 30 some acres back into the oak savanna it was about 100 years ago. The area is truly amazing, and it's nice to see a well made documentary on it. Good job folks!

[jimberglund]

This is great! The Driftless Area (SE Minnesota) is where I learned geology and how to fly. Those aerial shots really bring back memories. It's an amazing place to see both from the ground and the air.

[TimothyJacobson]

The four producers of Mysteries of the Driftless, Rob Nelson, Dan Bertalan, George Howe, and me (Tim Jacobson), have been nominated for an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs – Topical.” Thank you to the many supporters who made our film possible!

[iowaflytyer]

Several friends and I watched this with our wives and we all agreed it has only one fault: it's too short. You did a fabulous job on this, and we would gladly have watched for at least an hour, maybe two. Nice work!

[ldosucowboy]

I can't imagine anyone taking this amazing area for granted.
I was blessed to have spent a couple of years there.

[mpmobi]

Love this - I live just south of the driftless area but was lucky to spend many summers as a kid working on a farm in NE Alamakee county IA. I loved exploring the hills, springs, outcroppings, and goat prairies - what a fantastic documentary of the best place in earth!

[codysanderson]

watching such an amazing video of my own backyard made my day, thanks now im going to show my kid this to teach him what a great place we actually live

[ericharvey]

We have very similar limestone topography in the Shenandoah valley/western portion of VA many springs, caverns, sinkholes, even the cool air vents in some of the mountains, and underground streams some that go underneath other rivers. Its incredible how the water has carved the earth here.

[dannynevada]

Been in Arcadia Wi today, I am a trucker that transports exotic automobiles, the only reason that I took this order is to experience this beautiful part of our contry, I pack an ultralight in my semi-trailer gonna do some flying tomorrow

[iowasboy]

Wow! Awesome to see our hidden beauty so wonderfully exposed and shared for the gem that it is! Nice work!

[regretsquirrel]

incredible video. what a beautiful, fascinating area. i was lucky enough to grow up in western wisconsin, and i can never get enough education on the amazing history, geology, and biology of the driftless zone. thanks for making this!

[isaacyaddof]

worked at effigy mounds very nice place

[Michael_A_MN]

Driftless area was a great place to grow up as a kid. Lots of nature and things to explore. Bluff climbing with friends---nothing beats it.

[MustangsTrainsMowers]

Distant relatives of my family own land east of Spring Valley Minnesota. It has old deep logging roads on it. Decades ago we would go riding our Honda ATC 110’s on them. Some logging railroad lines even went in the driftless area of SE Mn many years ago.

[elissaladwig]

It would be so great if these guys put together guided tours! I'd be the first one to sign up!!!

[aglimmerofhope]

I learned something new today. Thank y'all. ✌😊

[janettedean]

Loved this film "Mysteries of the Driftless: about our beautiful Driftless Region in the Midwest covering the four states of MN, WI, IA and IL which not many people know about! A brand new and longer documentary "Decoding the Driftless" has now been completed, and you can learn more about it and purchase a DVD or BluRay copy of it and other merchandise at their store at sustainabledriftless.org . I enjoy sharing the film with family and friends who feel an even greater sense of pride for our beautiful region after seeing it.

[rickstorm]

Im 8 years late but hotdog this was awesome.

[Phatphishy]

I live on lake onalaska. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. My parents live on the river in Treampleau. I think i spelled it wrong. Just below 2nd peak. You can just sit and watch the river go by all day.

[BigLucille]

drift refers to glacial deposits. driftless is a bit of a misnomer from a geologic perspective. "unglaciated area" is a better name as glacial sediments can be found in the region. regardless, this is a wonderful documentary about one of the most unique, beautiful, and unknown areas in our country.