Bird & Nature Blog

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The start of a wonderful season

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On the morning of Juneteenth, several volunteers joined Graham and Emma, the absolutely world class staff at Goose Pond Sanctuary, at one of the satellite properties of SoWBA near Goose Pond* to collect lupine seed.

This seed requires quick and timely picking because it ripens and drops in just a few days. Here today, gone tomorrow. It's also one of our most important seeds to collect on and near Goose Pond. It's the only host plant of the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly. With enough seed we shall create more habitat for the butterfly. 

Photo by Dawn Marsh / USFWS

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Stay tuned: Legislative Council study committee on Sandhill Cranes this summer

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The Wisconsin Legislative Council has created a study committee on Sandhill Cranes focused on addressing the agricultural impact of cranes in our state, with part of the stated scope to “consider whether the Department of Natural Resources should seek federal approval to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes.” 

Photo by Monica Hall

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Summer 2024

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Summer 2024

This season at the sanctuaries (Summer 2024): learn what’s been going on behind the scenes, who you can expect to find when you visit, and how to get involved in the coming few months!

Photo by Gary Shackelford

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Dane County awards $900K in grant funding to Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

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Dane County will award $900K in conservation funds to Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance towards the future purchase and protection of a 348-acre property that features native grassland habitats.

SoWBA photo

The best day of the year redux

The best day of the year redux

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, with the vital assistance of the Wisconsin DNR and Dane County Parks, held our annual field trip for the 4th graders of Madison's Lincoln Elementary School during the last few days of the school year. I just hope the kids had as much fun and learned as much as the adults lucky enough to accompany them on this trip.

We traveled to Dane County's Falk/Wells Wildlife Area on the Sugar River with three missions: help a prairie, see some cool fish, and have fun. Missions Accomplished.

Photo by Mickenzee Okon / SoWBA