Would Bird Trails Draw Flocks?

By MATT FURY
Sentinel Reporter

GRANTSBURG—Although not fully hatched, the idea for a Great Wisconsin Birding Trail could eventually have people statewide flapping their arms in excitement.

Or something like that.

Initially proposed through informational meetings across the state this past month, the last of which took place at the new Crex Meadows Interpretive Center in Grantsburg this past week, the plan is to essentially create a statewide auto trail that would expand Wisconsin’s nature-based resource income by taking advantage of the growing interest of people’s love for our feathered friends. MORE>

Press Release

The Great Wisconsin Birding Trail

MADISON - A proposed statewide trail that focuses on people's love of birds and bird watching to link them to other nature-based recreational resources will be the topic of a series of upcoming public meetings. The Great Wisconsin Birding Trail is proposed as a statewide auto trail that leads people to parks, historic sites, rivers, lakes, and bike trails. Although the trail is based on leading people to some of Wisconsin's prime bird habitats, the proposed trail would offer travelers "much more than birding," says Susan Foote-Martin, who is coordinating the project for the Department of Natural Resources Endangered Resource Program.

"Volunteers will be the backbone of the development of the trail system," Foote Martin says. "The trail will take form throughout the state by incorporating ideas and suggestions for places to bird watch generated by the public through meetings that we are holding over the next month.

"There are currently four loops of the trail proposed around the state. These include:

• The Great River Birding Trail - This trail is a major work element of the Upper Mississippi River Campaign of the National Audubon Society. Maps cover 670 river miles in four states: Wisconsin, Minnesota Illinois, and Iowa
• Oak Leaf Birding Trail - Milwaukee County Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Culture. The Oak Leaf Birding Trail Map will be available April 2002
• Horicon Marsh - Horicon Marsh Parkway Auto Tour Route includes hiking trails, floating boardwalk, and canoe trails.

• Ozaukee County Interurban Trail - Birding has been added to the list of activities found on this popular urban route

Nominations for additional sites to be included on the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail map will also be solicited in writing or by using a Web site, she says.

Foote Martin notes that data presented in the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation done by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2001 showed that wildlife viewing increased by 5 percent between 1996 and 2001. Nation-wide, over 66 million residents participated in wildlife viewing. "Wisconsin has the third highest participation rate with 53 percent of resident's aged 16 and older participating in some form of wildlife watching," she says. The idea of the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail is to allow travelers to see birds in their natural habitat, while also providing opportunities to communicate important conservation messages and promote non-consumptive nature activities.

The Great Wisconsin Birding Trail represents the work of more than 100 endorsing members of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative. Groups other than the Wisconsin DNR, include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Audubon Society and local Audubon chapters, the National Park Service, Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and various land trusts, nature centers, local birding clubs, Universities, and public and private agencies.

Ted Eubanks an Independent Contractor with Fermata, Inc. of Austin Texas will conduct the public meetings and present a power point presentation on the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail project. Fermata, Inc. is the creator of successful wildlife viewing trails in many states including their first project, The Great Texas Birding Trail. The meetings are open to anyone who enjoys bird watching and nature based recreation.

The meetings on the proposed trail will be held at the times and locations below.

• July 31, Milwaukee 9 to 11 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wehr Nature Center in Whitnall Park, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin
• July 31, 2 to 4 p.m. DNR Southeast Regional Headquarters, 2300 N Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
• Aug 1, DNR Horicon Marsh Service Center - 10 a.m. to noon and 7 to 9 p.m.
• Aug 2, Green Bay - 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. - Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, 1660 E. Shore Dr.
• Aug 5, La Crosse o 9 to 11 a.m. - Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Office 555 Lester Ave., Onalaska
• Aug 5, 7 to 9 p.m. - Public meeting - La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main St.
• Aug 6, Rhinelander - 10 a.m. to noon and 7 to 9 p.m. - DNR Rhinelander Service Center 107 Sutcliff Ave.
• Aug 7, Grantsburg - 10 a.m. to noon and 7 to 9 p.m. DNR Crex Meadows Nature & Visitor Center, junction of County Roads D and F, Grantsburg.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Foote-Martin - (608) 635-4160

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