WPR reported that Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (SoWBA) plans to acquire and restore 348 acres of grassland, woods, and prairie in the Town of Christiana. The land, once part of the vast Koshkonong Prairie, will be transformed into a wildlife sanctuary. The property has been owned by the Gunnulson family for nearly two centuries and features rolling vistas, grasslands, and habitat for various wildlife species. SoWBA has already begun restoring parts of the prairie.
In January 2024, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance was awarded a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grant of nearly $1.5 million and sought an additional grant from the Dane County Conservation Fund to cover the remaining balance of the project’s costs. The Dane County Park Commission has recommended providing up to $912,900 in county matching funds to support the land restoration initiative.
Matt Reetz, executive director of SoWBA, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Protecting and conserving land is going to be vital, not just for the benefit of wildlife, but for the benefit of Wisconsinites.”
Once the acquisition is complete, likely by August, the restored land will offer opportunities for hiking and bird watching, while providing a beautiful and expansive habitat for sensitive grassland birds.
Featured image by Dave Hoefler, 2020
