Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance purchased this 348-acre property from David Gunnulson in December 2024 with grants from Knowles-Nelson Stewardship, Dane County, and North American Wetlands Conservation Act. David’s family first arrived here in 1840, and the area is rich with cultural history. There is some restored prairie and woodland, but most of the land is open grassy fields which have been used only for haying over the last 30 years.

The property is in the middle of what was historically the 18,000-acre Koshkonong Prairie. Less than 30 acres of this original prairie remains. This sanctuary already provides quality habitat for wildlife like Bobolink, flycatchers, and butterflies, but it has loads of potential that has yet to be realized. Because the land was purchased so recently, there’s lots of work for us to do in the future like planting prairie, improving forest habitat, and making the area more accessible to the public. We’ll tour the area, explore the existing habitats, and discuss the long term vision.

Questions? Contact Brenna Marsicek, bmarsicek@swibirds.org or 608-255-2473

FIELD TRIP LEADERS: Mark Martin, Graham Steinhauer, and Emma Raasch

RAIN DATE: June 29, 1:30-4pm

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES:

• Field trip leader is adept at birding by ear and can accommodate those with visual impairments

APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: 1-3 miles

RSVP REQUIRED? Yes, participation is limited to 16 people. Registration will open 6 weeks in advance on the Monday of that week.

Cover photo: three ecological restoration interns work in the prairie at the new sanctuary. Photo by Graham Steinhauer/SoWBA