This article is an excerpt from Madison Audubon’s Summer/Fall 2022 Newsletter.
Access the full issue here.
It’s all thanks to you.
The land purchases described in this article were conserved using individual member donations. That means your donation from a few years ago is still yielding increasing rewards as we steward these habitats! What a feeling it must be for everyone who helped us protect these special places and the critters that call them home.
We’re excited to share that we anticipate adding more parcels to our sanctuaries in the coming months, and we hope our supporters will again join our efforts.
I’m accustomed to folks raising an eyebrow in my direction every so often. Sometimes it’s because of my nerdy “Ornithophile” t-shirt. Sometimes it’s because of a groan-worthy bird pun I just attempted to land. And sometimes, folks are pleasantly surprised when I tell them that although Madison Audubon is undoubtedly a bird organization for bird enthusiasts, we invest a lot of time, energy, and resources into land projects.
The fact of the matter is that land matters. It is one of the best conservation tools for protecting and bolstering our native bird populations. Birds, pollinators, and other wildlife need land to reproduce, find food, and take safe harbor on their long migrations. People, too, need access to land and all the wonderful benefits that come with being in nature. The more birds that use the land and the more people who visit those lands, the better.
Allow me to share examples of just three land acquisition projects (though there were others!) we have tackled in the last few years, and what they mean for conservation. I’ll start by saying that none of it would be possible without the exceptional generosity of you, our members and supporters.
While we work hard to acquire grants and partner matches for these projects, what we’ve been able to accomplish in land protection has really come from the numerous donations and encouragement of our members. In total, Madison Audubon has protected 3,819 acres in Columbia and Jefferson Counties—that’s more than one acre per Madison Audubon member. Thank you!
Example 1: Springer Pond addition to Faville Marsh
One of the (many) highlights of Faville Grove Sanctuary is the sweeping view looking across Faville Marsh. This unique, 100-acre wetland features a tamarack bog, floating sphagnum moss beds, and emergent vegetation that supports an incredible diversity of plants and animals. Over the years, Madison Audubon has worked diligently to protect and restore the Marsh. However, prior to 2019, Springer Pond—20 acres of open water and seasonally emergent wetland—as well as 43 acres of surrounding croplands, fencerows, and marsh edge were completely unprotected. When the land became available for purchase, we moved quickly.
A view of Springer Pond before restoration began (photo by David Musolf).
By acquiring this land, Madison Audubon has been able to remove a man-made fishing pond and restore natural water flow, plant the croplands to native vegetation (now lovingly called Fat Goose Prairie), protect the marsh from agricultural runoff, erosion, and future development, and begin providing incredible nesting habitat for declining grassland birds and migratory wildfowl. And don’t forget that view!
The view of Springer Pond, vastly improved by the diversity of native plants brought back to the land! (photo by David Musolf).
Example 2: Benade addition at Goose Pond
Goldenrod blooming at the Benade addition before acquisition (photo by Judi Benade).
Judi Benade is a long-time member and supporter of Madison Audubon who lives near Goose Pond Sanctuary. In partnership with and inspired by Goose Pond staff and volunteers, Judi and her husband restored 25 acres of their property to tall-grass native prairie in 2004. That restoration created valuable habitat for breeding grassland and shrub birds like Northern Harrier, Willow Flycatcher, Field Sparrow, Dickcissel and more. Sixteen years later, Judi approached Madison Audubon about whether we would like to acquire the prairie and an additional 45 acres of land. Spoiler alert: the answer was “yes!”
Since purchasing the property in 2020, we’ve done significant work to control invasive species and have already restored another 16 acres of cropland to native prairie. Furthermore, this property is within the Yahara Watershed, which eventually flows to Lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and beyond. Conversion of the cropland to quality native grasslands will help filter and store runoff to benefit water quality in the chain of lakes to the south. Madison Audubon will look for future opportunities to protect lands in the area to create a large, continuous landscape of native habitat.
Example 3: Otsego Marsh Uplands
Otsego Marsh Uplands before purchase (photo by Brenna Marsicek/Madison Audubon).
One of the centerpieces of Madison Audubon’s Otsego Marsh property is Hawkos Pond, a 16-acre shallow, spring-fed pond with a lovely diversity of birds, insects, amphibians and fish. The pond is surrounded by oak and hickory woodlands and pine plantations, but until recently the property lacked any grassland habitats native to that area, hampering nesting for the waterfowl and turtles of Hawkos Pond. The main body of the property lies on the east side of Old County Road F. In 2020, we purchased an additional 36 acres on the west side of the road that was mostly farmland, but included a small upland woodlot and a corner of the wetland that was cut off by the road. Our crew is working to restore all of these habitats to their native glory, as well as adding additional wetlands for frogs, toads, and nesting ducks. One day, the prairies will be home to nesting Bobolinks, meadowlarks, turtles, and more, and the woodlot will become a vibrant oak savanna once again. By purchasing this land, we removed the sediment and nutrient erosion into the wetland, and created a continuum of habitat for all sorts of species in the animal kingdom. Such a great thing to celebrate!
As a nationally-accredited land trust, Madison Audubon is proud to protect 3,819 total acres—land open for you to visit, marvel at, explore, and dream big dreams for. On behalf of the plants and animals which call these acres sanctuary, and thousands of people who enjoy them each year, thank you for your support.
Written by Matt Reetz, executive director.
Cover image: A photo of Otsego Marsh Uplands at time of purchase (by Brenna Marsicek/Madison Audubon) is illustrated with imagined sketches of native plants, butterflies, and birds (illustration by Kaitlin Svabek/Madison Audubon).
