Dane County Conservation League

DCCL NEWS UPDATE

One of the objectives of the League is spelled out in the by-laws as follows: “To cooperate with other environmental agencies, organizations, and/or individuals in meritorious conservation efforts.”  This year the League has taken several actions to fulfill that objective.  

DANE COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION GRANT

The League has long-supported the Dane County Parks Foundation that provides funds for the purchase and operation of parks and other recreational lands in the county, including hunting and fishing parcels. Earlier this year, a celebration was held to honor Darren Marsh for his many years as Parks Director.  As a tribute to his service, supporters made special contributions to the Foundation.  About $100,000 was raised which included a $5,000 donation from the League.  We are glad that we could be recognized as one of the leading donors for such a cause.

THE PRAIRIE ENTHUSIASTS PROJECT  

The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE) organization has owned 570 acres on Highway F south of Blue Mounds for quite some time and this year the opportunity to purchase some adjoining land became available.  The Hanley Farm of 261 acres as well as the Mueller tract of 39 acres went up for sale.  The properties contain unplowed grassland which supports 18 declining and rare plants and animals.  There is also a resurgent pheasant population along with deer and turkey. Hunting is allowed on the property.  In addition, the grasslands help purify the groundwater and it seeps into springs that feed a cold water stream which could be brook trout habitat.  

Total cost of the project is $2.4 million which includes fund raising costs as well as future management costs. The League donated $15,000 to the purchase.  TPE is a 501 (c) 3 organization and is pursuing funding from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund in addition to U. S. Fish and Wildlife funds and many other private donors.  As of this writing, it is believed that the goal has been met.

This purchase was a rare opportunity to preserve some special land in a rapidly growing area of the Wisconsin.  We hope to have a representative from TPE speak at a future membership meeting to fully explain this very worthwhile project to all DCCL members.  

DNR REPORT ON THE USE OF DCCL FUNDS

Earlier this year the League provided about $25,000 to the DNR to use for equipment, supplies and labor at the League’s prairie chicken lands (explained in an earlier newsletter).  A recent report from DNR staff indicated that they had used some of the funds for hiring a contractor for some brush and tree removal, purchasing crawler tracks for use on a John Deere Gator, purchasing herbicide, installing water lines and fencing, renting a heavy-duty mower for brush control, and paying part of the cost of hiring a summer intern.  The intern was Quinn Erdman who sent us a very nice thank-you letter.  He mentioned that he learned how to manage grasslands as well as more basic skills such as operating a chainsaw, a brush sprayer, and tractors.  He is confident that his experiences will aid him in gaining future work in conservation.  

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PHEASANTS FOREVER WORKS HARD IN WASHINGTON

Many thanks to PF for promoting the Conservation Reserve Program in Congress.  As of August, 2.8 million acres have been accepted and 4 million more are available for sign-up by September 30.  The 2018 Farm Bill set a goal of 27 million acres, including those already enrolled.  

PF is also asking Congress to move forward on the Grasslands Act.  The framework requests $350 million annually to create a grants based habitat focused program for all types of grasslands.  If passed, it could have benefits for sustaining the League’s prairie chicken lands.