Time to advocate for some important land and water

This prairie is owned by Iowa County and is open to the public for a wide variety of outdoor public recreation. Iowa County has opened a planning process for the property, probably caused by the closure of the county nursing home, the centerpiece of the property.

Please never, ever assume that a planning process for public lands will go well.  Lots of well intentioned folks will have many other ideas for the property with the possibility of  more extensive agriculture or, Heavens to Betsy, sale of some or all of the land.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

It's Official: Madison's Bird-safe Glass Ordinance is in the Clear

Bird conservation groups are celebrating the survival of Madison, Wisconsin’s bird-friendly building ordinance after years of legal challenges from developers. Following the ruling, the City will continue to require bird-friendly building designs that prevent window collisions. American Bird Conservancy (ABC), Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon), and Wisconsin Society for Ornithology are encouraging municipalities to move ahead with their own efforts to assure building designs protect wild birds from colliding with windows.

Photo by Larry Master, www.masterimages.org

Growing interest in gardening for birds at 2024 Wisconsin Garden Expo

Wisconsin bird lovers can learn how to attract and feed our feathered friends and keep them safe around their home at the PBS Wisconsin Garden and Landscape Expo Feb. 9-11 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

Avian experts from across the state will offer tips on everything from gardening for hummingbirds and songbirds, to attracting Eastern Bluebirds and Purple Martins with nest boxes and martin houses, respectively, to easy home solutions to prevent birds from colliding with windows.

Time for lots of good news

Time for lots of good news

There is lots of good news to share. The first occurred a couple of weeks ago when stalwart volunteers gathered at Goose Pond Sanctuary to plant a new prairie. The land was the last gap, 16 acres, in the northern half of the Goose Pond lands. Mark, Graham, and Emma, the wonderful Goose Pond team, had scheduled it after light snowfall, which makes it much easier to see how effectively one is scattering the seeds.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek / BBA