Lake Koshkonong Wetland Association: Press Release
Announcement of Official Designation of the Greater Lake Koshkonong Area IBA
January 24, 2006
In early December, the technical committee of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI) reviewed the 2005 surveys organized by LKWA as well as survey data collected in previous years, and concluded that the Greater Lake Koshkonong Area should be officially designated an Important Bird Area (IBA).
The area includes over 80,000 acres of lakes, streams, rivers, swamps, marshes and other wetlands in SW Jefferson County, SE Dane County, and northern Rock County. Included in the area is Lake Koshkonong, Red Cedar Lake State Natural area, and Rose Lake.
LKWA members worked with expert ornithologists to perform these surveys. A total of 34 volunteers donated 34.5 hours for the duck survey in April. Twenty-three volunteers donated over 150 hours for nesting surveys in May and June.
We will celebrate the designation of the Greater Lake Koshkonong Area IBA at an official dedication this spring. After that we will use the expertise of the WBCI to provide advice for any interested landowners regarding management of their land to maintain and improve this critical habitat used by so many birds. Participation in any aspect of the program is voluntary.
For more information about WBCI and the IBA program, go to www.wisconsinbirds.org.