Study Tours

Tuesday, May 20 Study Tour

In the Footsteps of the Glacier, the Buffalo and Aldo Leopold
8:00 am – 4:30pm

Study Tour Leader
Suzanne Wade, UWEX Rock River Basin Educator for Natural Resources
David Bouche, DNR Senior Naturalist, Devils Lake State Park

From visiting the greenest building on the planet and imaging family life at the ‘chicken coop’, to walking at the edge of the glacier, and finally examining how a delicate and difficult environmental decision was made (which Leopold would be thrilled about), this study tour will be a pleasure for its participants.

Our first stop will be at the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, a building that reflects a committed effort to strengthen the linkage of human activity with Leopold's "Land Ethic”. The Legacy Center received a LEED Platinum certification and has been certified as the greenest building on the planet. Celebrating the life of Aldo Leopold, the building has an amazing list of features including:

Underground earth tubes that supply fresh, tempered air to the facility in all seasons;
Wood harvested on-site from trees originally planted by Aldo Leopold;
Zero net energy building generates over 50,000 kWh of electricity annually.

Next, dedicated staff will share what life was like for the family of Aldo Leopold on a tour of the iconic ‘Shack”, the converted chicken coop that served as the family’s retreat. Pictures, stories and a walk among the pines will allow you to feel the legacy of Leopold on a whole different level. (Poison ivy and ticks are prevalent at the site, closed toed shoes and long pants are recommended.)

Following this, participants will experience the spectacular scenery from the 500 foot cliffs, unique vegetation, and two large sand beaches at Devil’s Lake State Park, the most popular of all Wisconsin’s state parks. After an orientation on the geology, and the natural and human history by the senior park naturalist, participants will have a choice of hikes ranging from a paved one- mile loop to a fairly rigorous three-mile excursion.

The last stop will feature a discussion of how, after many years of acrimonious fighting, the decision was made to transfer the 10,000 acre Badger Army Ammunitions Plant to six landowners (USDA Dairy Forage; the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the Ho-Chunk Nation, the National Parks Service for the Wisconsin DNR, Town of Sumpter, the Bluffview Sanitary District and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation). If time permits, a quick stop will be made at Dr. Evermore’s Forevertron and bird orchestra – a top ten US roadside attraction.

Websites of interest:
http://www.aldoleopold.org/visit/center.htm
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/ORG/LAND/PARKS/specific/devilslake/nature/geology.html
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/WIBARforever.html

Thursday, May 22 Study Tours

12:30pm – 5:00pm

Study Tour 1 - Walk in the Footprints of Aldo Leopold

“A land ethic, then, reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of land.”

Study Tour Leader:
John Exo, UWEX Lower Wisconsin Basin Educator for Natural Resources

Our first stop will be at the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, a building that reflects a committed effort to strengthen the linkage of human activity with Leopold's "Land Ethic”. The Legacy Center received a LEED Platinum certification and has been certified as the greenest building on the planet. Celebrating the life of Aldo Leopold, the building has an amazing list of features including:

Underground earth tubes that supply fresh, tempered air to the facility in all seasons;
Wood harvested on-site from trees originally planted by Aldo Leopold;
Zero net energy building generates over 50,000 kWh of electricity annually.

Websites of Interest
http://www.aldoleopold.org/about/whatsnew/whatsnew.htm
http://www.aldoleopold.org/visit/center.htm

Study Tour 2 - International Crane Foundation

Study Tour Leader:
Jenny Erickson, UWEX Sauk County Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development Educator

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is the only place in the world where you can see all 15 crane species in one location. ICF has gained international acclaim as one of the world’s leaders in the conservation of endangered species. Staff will discuss the techniques used to preserve some of the rarest birds in the world.

During the visit, you may see the Wattled Cranes gracefully dancing in their grassland enclosure, or hear the haunting calls of the Red-crowned Cranes. You will also see the Sarus crane, the tallest flying bird in the world. At the Amoco Whooping Crane Exhibit, you can observe one of the world’s rarest birds, the Whooping Crane, in a wetland exhibit. You may also want to explore the nature trails through oak savanna, wetlands and tall grass prairie and learn about ecosystem restoration and preservation.

Websites of Interest:
http://www.savingcranes.org/index.cfm

Study Tour 3 - Exploring and Creating Water Trails

Study Tour Leaders
Mindy Habecker, Dane County UWEX Natural Resources Educator
David Liebl, UWEX Waste Management & Reduction Specialist
Captain Don Sanford

Journey aboard the Betty Lou Cruise ship captained by Don Sanford, a local sailor who is currently writing a book on the social history of the Madison lakes. You will be traveling on Lake Monona along a local water trail developed in 2007 that highlights the historical, cultural and natural resource features of the area. Learn how this and other water trails in Wisconsin were locally developed by project teams headed by University of Wisconsin Extension. The impacts following the trails’ development will also be discussed.

The trip will highlight the following issues: stormwater and water quality management, flooding, land use development and natural resource conflicts, wildlife management and wetland restoration. During your cruise you will enjoy the Captain’s Table lunch which includes jumbo shrimp, smoked salmon, prime rib, walleye, clam chowder, vegetarian options, fruit salads, desserts and many more delights. The boat has protected areas if there is inclement weather.

Websites of Interest:
http://www.danewaters.com/YaharaWaterTrail.aspx
http://www.bettyloucruises.com/

Study Tour 4 - One Community’s Search for Sustainability: The Madison Story

Study Tour Leaders:
Sherrie Gruder, UWEX Sustainable Design Specialist
Bryant Moroder, Sustain Dane Executive Director
Molly Fifield-Murray, UW-Arboretum Education Program Director
Sonya Neuenhouse, President Madison Environmental Group and Community Car

Madison consistently ranks as one of the most livable and bikable communities in the country. Environmental News Network declared it one of America's 10 most environmentally friendly cities. Money magazine has rated Madison and Dane County THE best place to live.

Madison and Dane County have a number of initiatives that will be explored as participants hop on bikes and peddle on Madison’s network of bike trails from the shores of Lake Monona to the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. Along the way we will make a series of stops to talk with community activists about unique sustainability programs and ‘green’ initiatives including Plant Dane! (rain gardens), Rain Barrel Initiative, Community Car, EnAct, MPower Pledge, EcoTeams, Ecomunicipality and Imagine Green Madison.

At the UW Arboretum you’ll learn about their outreach, stormwater and sustainability efforts. Widely recognized as the site of historic research in ecological restoration, the Arboretum includes the oldest and most varied collection of restored ecological communities in the world, including tallgrass prairies, savannas, several forest types and wetlands. It also houses flowering trees, shrubs and a world-famous lilac collection.

If weather is inclement, we will use vans instead of bikes. Tour cost includes bike, helmet and lock rental. Alternative transportation will be available if unable to bike. Round trip mileage will be between 12 - 14 miles depending on route taken.

Websites of interest:
http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/majorPrograms/majorPrograms.cfm?ID=green_building
http://www.sustaindane.org/
http://www.madisonenvironmental.com/
http://www.communitycar.com/
http://uwarboretum.org/about/
http://www.cityofmadison.com/trafficEngineering/bicycling.cfm

Study Tour 5 - Discovering the Black Earth Creek Watershed

Study Tour Leaders:
Pete Jopke, Dane County Watershed Project Manager
Barbara Borns, Black Earth Creek Watershed Association President
Kate Wipperman, Natural Heritage Land Trust Project Manager

Tour and explore a rural watershed edged by urban pressures that contains one of America’s top trout streams. It is an area of contrasts – glaciated and driftless (non-glacial) topography, agriculture and urban, progressive conservation subdivision designs and avid property rights, as well as pristine areas, wonderful springs and wetlands but also a state superfund landfill site. Learn about the National Ice Age Trail System that runs through this corridor and other novel recreational features.

The area has been nationally recognized with 80% of the farmers participating in active conservation and water quality improvement work, where USGS was able to document improvement to stream water quality.

Websites of Interest
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/gmu/lowerwis/watersheds/lw17.pdf (DNR Black Earth Creek Plan)
http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri034163/ (Effects of Best Management Practices on Black Earth Creek)
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2004/5156/ (Impacts of subdivision development on Brewery Creek – USGS study)
http://www.madison.com/communities/becwa/ (Black Earth Creek Watershed Association)

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