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Whoopers for Wisconsin?
Three Proposed Sites
Goose Fortress
This piece of property is 32,000 acres in size. It is the largest freshwater cattail
marsh in the United States. During October 300,000 geese stage in the immediate area
before heading farther south. Located close to a metropolis, the Preserve has more
than 400,000 visitors every year. Popular activities at the Preserve include hiking,
waterfowl viewing, fishing and hunting. The pools are less than five feet deep, kept
free of encroaching plants via the wind and other disturbances. The Preserve has
seen the release of trumpeter swans as part of the effort to reintroduce that species.
During the past several hunting seasons, both trumpeter swans and tundra swans have
been mistakenly shot by overzealous hunters. The area is known to have had several
avian diseases such as avian tuberculosis, lead poisoning, botulism and avian cholera.
Surrounded by potato fields, the area is heavily used as green space by many area
residents. This area has a strong volunteer base.
Frog Haven
This property is over 26,000 acres in size. Overall habitat includes sedge meadows,
savanna ridges and impoundments. It is located near the neighboring state's capital
and sees over 750,000 visitors yearly. It has an active Friends organization of volunteers
capable of pulling in large sums of money for projects via the neighboring capital.
It has a history of occasional avian disease, although it is minimal. The area is
prime waterfowl and crane habitat, surrounded by private land, urbanization and development.
It was a successful component in the trumpeter swan reintroduction program. The pools
range in depth of water, with interspersed vegetation around the shorelines.
Waterfowl Harbor
This property encompasses over 100,000 acres of land, including the largest wetland-bog
area of the state. Several impoundments provide breeding and staging areas for waterfowl.
The pools range in depth and offer interspersed vegetation for cover and nesting.
Home to other endangered plants and animals, this area sees 250,000 visitors annually
for activities including wildlife observation, hiking, education, and hunting and
fishing. Located in a more secluded part of the state, this area is often overlooked
by tourists. It is also found in a very economically deprived part of the state.
Most of the land in the area is state or federally owned, and open to the public.
The largest nearby industry is cranberry production. This area has been a release
site for trumpeter swans as part of the reintroduction program for this species.
Waterfowl Harbor was also the release site for sandhill cranes in the 1970s, in the
first program where humans puppet-reared cranes for release into the wild. A Friends
organization established here in 1998 is very active in establishing programs and
showing support.
Journey
North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible
by the
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).
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