Lake Koshkonong Wetland Association:
Program Notes from 9/16/06 Meeting
September 16, 2006
Carcajou Point
Our September meeting was the dedication ceremony of the Greater Lake Koshkonong Area as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The IBA Program is part of a voluntary global effort to protect key places for birds. The program does not require landowners to do anything, but it encourages preservation of critical habitat for birds. It gives people who live in an area a better understanding of what they have and how they can take care of it.
Our organization got approval from our board in the spring of 2004 to pursue the work of nominating the Lake Koshkonong Area as an IBA. After 1 year of planning and 1 year of surveys, the scientific committee reviewed our survey data and agreed that the area was indeed important for migrating and nesting birds.
During the spring migration, over 20,000 ducks are on the lake each day. In May and June, many species of high conservation priority use Lake Koshkonong’s wetlands and adjacent uplands for nesting.
The dedication began at 11:00 am at Carcajou Point looking over a recently planted prairie, a wet meadow, Lake Koshkonong, and a floodplain forest in the background. It was a beautiful morning with just enough wind to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Fourty-two persons attended the ceremony.
Yoyi Steele, the coordinator of the IBA Program in Wisconsin made welcoming remarks and described the IBA Program. Penny Shackelford described the work of the LKWA Committee that coordinated the nomination and surveys. She noted the enthusiastic participation of LKWA members and friends. Fifty volunteers spent over 150 hours doing the surveys. Charlie Killian commented on the importance of the wetlands for birds and wildlife and acknowledged the role of the DNR Koshkonong Wildlife Area on the east end of the lake. Tom Belzer spoke on behalf of the Friends of Rose Lake noting the richness of birdlife in Dorothy Carnes Park and Rose Lake. This is a new Jefferson County Park that is included in the Greater Lake Koshkonong IBA. The dedication closed with a special musical event. Debi Towns played a piece of music composed for flute by Thure Kumlien. As the sweet notes filled the air, we felt the spirit of the famous 19th century ornithologist who lived in the Busseyville area.
LKWA will continue to work through the IBA program to protect and improve habitat for birds in the Lake Koshkonong Area.
The dedication ended at 12:00 pm after which a tour of the prairie and floodplain forest was led by Susan Yates and Penny and Gary Shackelford.
Our next meeting is October 24 at 6:00 pm at the DNR office in Janesville. Dick Wannie will give the program. He will discuss his new book on the History of Hunt Clubs on Lake Koshkonong.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Shackelford, secretary