RSVP for the New Sanctuary Ribbon Cutting & Naming Celebration

Saturday, June 7, 4:00-7:00 PM (rain or shine, no rain date)
held at adjacent Sprouting Acres Farm
1746 Wisconsin 73, Cambridge

Please note that this is a private event and attendees are by invitation only. Thank you for your understanding!

In December 2024, after over a decade of conversation, planning, problem-solving and due diligence, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance purchased 348 acres of farmland from David Gunnulson in southeastern Dane County. The property has been primarily a haying operation for the last three decades, and already provides excellent habitat for Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Horned Larks, and other grassland birds.

We are thrilled to have purchased the land for permanent protection, and to begin restoration efforts that support not just Bobolinks and meadowlarks but hundreds of other bird, insect, plant, mammal, and reptile species. And as a SoWBA sanctuary, you and fellow nature lovers will have another place to explore and bird!

We are in the process of creating parking lots and access points to the property. And the sanctuary naming team is narrowing down options and working on selecting a final choice! At this event at Sprouting Acres Farm, which borders the sanctuary to the west, you will be able to celebrate this conservation achievement, enjoy great food and company, access the sanctuary for hikes, and be among the first to hear the new sanctuary’s name.

Please join us to commemorate this achievement and joyful occasion at the New Sanctuary Ribbon Cutting & Naming Celebration.

Agenda for the event:

Saturday, June 7, 4:00-7:00 PM
4:00 PM — Guests welcome to arrive
4:00-7:00 PM — Socializing, pizza, dessert, and beverages
4:30 PM — Optional tours of the sanctuary begin. Options include hiking, use of SoWBA’s outdoor electric-powered wheelchair, or a touring wagon for a seated ride. Approximate distance is .75 mile on a mowed grass-stubble path.
6:00 PM — Speeches and ribbon cutting

Optional activity before the event begins:

Join David Gunnulson and community members at the Cambridge Historic Museum to enjoy a new display about the Gunnulson farm and the history of Norweigians in North American and the Cambridge area. David will be at the museum from 2:00-3:30. Feel welcome to come learn and chat with David and the Museum team! No RSVP is required for this optional activity. Museum address: 213 South St., Cambridge.

RSVP here!

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

In case we need to get ahold of you the day of

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Are you able to attend the celebration

Yes!

Unfortunately, no

Number of adults that will attend

Please describe any carpool / parking questions, comments, or requests

Please describe any food allergies or limitations

Would you like to use an outdoor electric-powered wheelchair during the tours of the sanctuary?

Yes

No

I'm not sure, tell me more

Any other questions, comments, or accommodation requests?

Want to take another step? Here’s another way to support land protection, conservation, and southern Wisconsin bird alliance.

You are invited to attend the ribbon cutting celebration as a special guest at no cost, but your voluntary donation will help support SoWBA’s bird conservation, land protection, environmental education, community engagement, advocacy, and so much more. If you are interested and able to make a donation, thank you! You can do so here.

Cover photo: Jean’s Prairie, part of the new sanctuary property by Mark Martin