Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Long-Range Interpretive Plan - OCTOBER 2013
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Harpers Ferry Center
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Long-Range Interpretive Plan
OCTOBER 2013
PLANNING FOUNDATION
Boulder Creek, Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area, Sauk County
2 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
America’s Great Outdoors (AGO Project):
Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains (Dane County)
to the Aldo Leopold Shack (Sauk County)
Long-Range Interpretive Plan
Prepared under Order No. P12PD14250
Task Order No. 25
Interpretive Planning Services
for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Prepared under Contract No. C1180070004
with the National Park Service
Interpretive Planning Services
Harpers Ferry Center
P.O. Box 50
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
By: Interpretive Solutions
732 Westbourne Road
West Chester, PA 19382
October 2013
COVER PHOTO:
View of Hawks Bluff at Lodi Marsh State Wildlife Area,
Dane County
INSET:
Ice Age Trail at Black Earth Creek, Village of Cross Plains,
Dane County
All photos NPS unless otherwise indicated.
National Park Service 3
PLANNING FOUNDATION
Devil’s Lake in winter, Devil’s Lake State Park, Sauk County.
Photo courtesy Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
4 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan
Introduction
Foundation for Planning 7
Introduction
About the Long-Range Interpretive Plan
Legislative Background
Purpose
Statements of Significance
Primary Interpretive Themes
Management Goals
Audience Segments
Desired Visitor Experiences
Issues and Opportunities
Existing Conditions 21
Background
Information and Orientation
The Audience
Experiencing the Trail
Interpretive Partners
Personnel
Recommendations 37
Introduction
Next steps for the Long-Range Interpretive Plan
The America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Project
Programs, Services and Media
Interpretive Infrastructure
Evaluation
Background Material 57
Map for all Themes
Map for Theme One: The Landscape
Map for Theme Two: People and the Land
Map for Theme Three: Environmental Conditions
Map for Theme Four: Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Map for Theme Five: America’s Great Outdoors Project
Map for Theme Six: Stewardship
Images of AGO Sites
Matrix: Geologic Features / Characteristics
Matrix: Environmental Features / Characteristics
Matrix: Cultural Features / Characteristics
Glossary of Geologic Terms
National Park Service 5
PLANNING FOUNDATION
La Budde Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail, Sheboygan County.
Photo courtesy Ice Age Trail Alliance
6 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan
Foundation for Planning
people (including Milwaukee and
Introduction Chicago), it is a prime candidate to
help the nation meet those goals. In
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (Ice addition, the segment supports AGO
Age NST) is one of only eleven such goals that include large landscape
trails in the United States. The trail conservation, preservation of natural
follows the edge of the extent of and culturally significant areas, and
the Wisconsin glaciation of some support for creative public-private
10-30,000 years ago, highlighting an partnerships.
amazing array of glaciated features
that includes moraines, kettles, The trail segment selected for the
kames, drumlins, erratics, kettle lakes, AGO program – and for interpretive
potholes, eskers, marshes, melt- planning – includes two Ice Age
water channels, gorges, ice-walled National Scientific Reserves (Cross
lake plains, outwash plains, and Plains Complex and Devils Lake State
glacial lakebeds. These features are Park), the Baraboo Range, which
considered to be among the world’s is the Midwest’s largest National
best examples of a glaciated landscape. Natural Landmark, and the Leopold
Shack, a National Historic Landmark.
While many of the nation’s 19 The Long-Range Interpretive Plan
National Historic Trails have (LRIP) may serve as a model plan for
interpretive plans, the Ice Age NST the interpretation of other Ice Age
is one of the first National Scenic Trail segments in the future.
Trails to create one. This plan
will center on the (approximately) The AGO segment of the Ice Age
70-mile segment of the trail that NST presently includes two operating
stretches from the Ice Age Complex
at Cross Plains (Dane County)
to the Aldo Leopold Shack (Sauk
County). This segment was
recently identified by the Federal
government as one of 100 America’s
Great Outdoors (AGO) projects.
(Two projects were selected in each
state; the other Wisconsin project
is the Lake Michigan Water Trail).
These projects center on outdoor
recreation, and are intended to help
Americans connect or reconnect
with nature, with special emphasis
on urban populations and youth.
With the AGO segment of the Ice
Age Trail within a two-hour drive
of a population of over 11 million
National Park Service 7
FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
visitor contact stations, and one a forward-looking document that
planned for the future. The contact concentrates on actions needed
stations are the Visitor Center and to create or sustain a vigorous and
Nature Center at Devil’s Lake State effective interpretive program for
Park, and the Aldo Leopold Center. the future.
A future visitor center will be located
at the Cross Plains Complex. While The Long-Range Interpretive Plan
the visitor and nature centers offer process features two phases. One,
opportunities for interpreting the the Foundation phase articulates
trail’s stories, the LRIP focuses significance, themes, and target
on the trail only, not on interior, audiences. The Foundation
museum-style exhibits. Document addresses those elements
of the plan, and includes a review
of existing conditions.
About the Long-Range
Interpretive Plan The second phase of the LRIP
process recommends interpretive
The National Park Service (NPS) has services, media, and partnerships
adopted a unified planning approach for the site. A Full Text Draft,
for interpretation and education. which includes the revised Founda-
This approach combines planning tion Document, articulates those
for interpretive media, personal elements, and, after review, the Long
interpretive services, and education Range Interpretive Plan is finalized.
programs as a single initiative. The
Long-Range Interpretive Plan is While the LRIP for the Ice Age Trail
intended to help parks identify references and is based, in part, on
target audiences, clarify objectives, elements of a recently completed
and make programming choices. It General Management Plan (Record
defines the overall vision and long- of Decision 2013) for the 1,700- acre
term interpretive goals of the park, Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains,
including recommendations for the LRIP for the AGO-designated
the best mix of media and personal segment of the Ice Age NST is a
services that will effectively convey separate, stand-alone document,
park themes, and serves as a guide to with significance statements
effective, goal-driven interpretation and primary interpretive themes
by defining realistic strategies and centered specifically on the trail.
actions that work toward achieve-
ment of those goals.
Although LRIPs share common
elements, each is customized to
meet individual park needs. While
it considers past interpretive
programming, the LRIP is primarily
8 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan
FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
Legislative Background
The idea for the Ice Age Trail began
in 1958 with a Milwaukee lawyer
named Ray Zillmer, who had a
vision of a long, linear park winding
through Wisconsin along the glacier’s
terminal moraine. In 1964, Congress
directed the Secretary of the Interior
to designate collections of the most
significant geologic features left by
the last glacial advance as the Ice Age
National Scientific Reserve, whose
purpose is to protect, preserve,
and interpret Wisconsin’s glacial
landscape features. As a result, nine
sites were identified as official units of
the preserve. (They are Two Creeks
Buried Forest, Kettle Moraine State
Forest North Unit, Campbellsport
Drumlins, Horicon Marsh Wildlife
Area, Cross Plains Complex, Devil’s
Lake State Park, Mill Bluff State Park,
Chippewa Moraine State Recreation
Area, and Interstate State Park.)
The entire trail is within the state purposes exist for it. The purpose Ray Zillmer,
visionary founder
of Wisconsin. In 1980, Congress of the trail as stated in the Ice Age
of the Ice Age Trail
recognized the national significance Complex at Cross Plain’s General
of the Ice Age Trail by authorizing it Management Plan was adapted to
as a National Scenic Trail through apply to the AGO trail segment.
an amendment to the National Trails The purpose of the Ice Age NST,
Systems Act in 1980 (Public Law AGO segment, is:
96-370; 16 USC 1244 (a)(10)). The Ice
Age Trail passes through six of the • To ensure protection, preserva-
nine Scientific Reserve Units. In tion, and interpretation of the
1987 the State of Wisconsin named it nationally significant resources
Wisconsin’s first (and, to date, only) and values associated with
State Scenic Trail. continental glaciation in
Wisconsin, including moraines,
erratics, potholes, outwash
Purpose plains, kettle holes, tunnel
channels, drumlins, swamps,
Purpose statements describe why a lakes, and other reminders of
site was set aside and what specific the Wisconsin Ice Age.
National Park Service 9
FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
• Nowhere are the marks of conti-
nental glaciation upon the land
more impressive than along the
Ice Age National Scenic Trail and
in the Ice Age National Scientific
Reserve units in Wisconsin. The
meandering landscape that
exhibits the marks of the glacier’s
farthest advance is a showplace
of moraines, kettles, drumlins,
erratics, kettle lakes, potholes,
marshes, meltwater channels,
gorges, outwash plains, and
glacial lake beds.
View toward • To establish a superlative • The Ice Age National Scenic
Baraboo Range and
Devil’s Lake State
segment of the Ice Age National Trail’s path of glacial features
Park from Riverland Scenic Trail and provide provides outstanding opportuni-
Conservancy, information and interpretation ties for recreation, education,
Sauk County.
Photo courtesy Ice about the trail to the public at scientific observation, citizen
Age Trail Alliance significant sites along its route. science, inspiration, solitude,
and enjoyment.
• To provide outdoor recreational
and educational opportunities in • The Ice Age National Scenic
support of and compatible with Trail provides outstanding
the conservation and enjoyment opportunities to observe,
of the nationally significant monitor, and understand the
scenic, historic, natural, and impacts of environmental
cultural resources along the trail. conditions.
• The AGO segment of the Ice Age
Statements of Significance National Scenic Trail offers
outstanding biodiversity and
Significance statements describe remarkable scenic values while
what is distinctive about the linking several nationally signifi-
combined resources of the trail. cant sites, such as the Baraboo
The statements can reflect natural, Range (the Midwest’s largest
cultural, scientific, recreational, National Natural Landmark)
and inspirational values, as well as and the Aldo Leopold Shack
other aspects. These statements and Farm (National Historic
summarize the importance of the Landmark) – all within a few
trail to the nation’s natural and hours’ drive of 11 million people.
cultural heritage. The significance
of the Ice Age NST is:
10 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanFOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
Primary Interpretive Themes • Environmental Conditions:
The AGO segment of the Ice Age
Primary interpretive themes National Scenic Trail, which
describe what needs to be inter- includes a remarkable range of
preted in order to provide people biodiversity, is a living laboratory
with opportunities to understand for observing, monitoring, and
and appreciate the park’s purpose understanding how environmental
and significance. They embody the conditions affect the landscape,
most important ideas or concepts ecosystems, and the way we live
communicated to the public today, and may live tomorrow.
about the trail. They convey the
significance of the resource, and • Ice Age National Scenic Trail:
highlight the links between tangible The Ice Age National Scenic
elements, intangible meanings, and Trail is a long distance footpath
universal concepts that are inherent that provides a premier hiking
in the park’s resources. The themes experience. It is a partnership park
connect resources to larger pro- that is being created and sustained
cesses, systems, ideas, and values, by a multitude of agencies,
and emphasize the relevance of park organizations, and volunteers.
stories. They define the core content It provides tremendous benefits
of the educational opportunities the to individuals and communities
park offers, and serve as the building that include: development of trail
blocks upon which interpretive building, leadership and service
services and educational programs skills; opportunities to leave a
are based. The primary interpretive mark and contribute to the future,
themes for the trail are: strengthen family and community
ties, reconnect with and explore
• The Landscape: The Ice Age nature; provide space for spiritual
National Scenic Trail landscape contemplation; improve health/
and its features uniquely illustrate wellness; link communities both
the contrast between glaciated and physically and socially; connect to
unglaciated landscapes, demon- the past; celebrate regional identity,
strating the dramatic earth-shaping and a sense of place.
power of glaciers, and creating the
Wisconsin that we know today. • The America’s Great Outdoors
Project. The AGO segment of the
• People and the Land: The Ice Age National Scenic Trail was
landscapes, both glaciated and designated to protect our natural
unglaciated, have affected human heritage and to create recreational
migration, settlement patterns, land opportunities through federal,
use, spiritual life, the economy, and state, tribal, non-profit, and local
values of the land for thousands community partnerships. While
of years. the other theme statements in the
LRIP may apply to other sections
National Park Service 11FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
of the Ice Age NST, the AGO theme • Environmental Conditions:
is focused specifically on that trail surviving remnants of native
segment, and centers on outreach vegetation; biodiversity and geol-
to urban and youth audiences. ogy’s impact; natural communities;
green corridor concept; natural
• Stewardship: Restoring and main- communities; the dynamic land-
taining healthy and diverse eco- scape; topography; soils; climate;
systems along the Ice Age National environmental conditions; phenol-
Scenic Trail connects people with ogy; conservation movement.
the land, helps inspire development
of a land ethic, and creates active • Ice Age National Scenic Trail:
stewardship opportunities. Partnership park managed by
NPS, DNR, Ice Age Trail Alliance
Each of the primary interpretive (IATA), and others; built and main-
themes embodies abundant poten- tained by an outstanding volunteer
tial topics for interpretation. Some force; links communities along
of these are listed. Please see “Next the trail physically and socially;
steps for the Long-Range Interpre- protection of significant features;
tive Plan” (in the Recommendations construction of trail and support
section), for a description of the facilities; provides a spiritual con-
next steps involved in capturing the nection with nature; strengthens
meaning and relevance of each of people’s ties as they work together
these topics, along with how and to create and preserve the trail and
where to interpret them. its values; through-hikers (all 1,200
miles) and section hikers (includ-
• The Landscape: the process of ing the “Thousand-Milers”).
glaciation; comparison of glaciated
and unglaciated landscape; how • America’s Great Outdoors
glaciated landscape features were Project: the Department of the
formed; the age of visible features Interior’s AGO initiative; AGO’s
on the landscape; and where promise to future generations;
within the glacier various features landscape conservation and part-
are formed. nerships; increasing public aware-
ness of the importance of conser-
• People and the Land: the impact vation; restoration of ecosystems
of the landscape on human within the Ice Age Trail corridor
migration, settlement patterns, and surrounding areas; public land
land use, and the economy; land management; activities for young
management strategies of Native adults; goals centered on attracting
peoples; effigy mounds; prominent new trail users, including minority
conservationists from the area; and urban populations.
cultural history of the region.
• Stewardship: POTENTIAL TOPICS
ecosystem management strategies;
12 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanFOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
long tradition of stewardship; development of a land ethic; the
volunteer contributions to rewards of nurturing a landscape
ecosystem management; invasive (it nurtures us back); learning the
species; restoring and maintaining value of nature; connectedness/
Ice Age Trail hikers on
healthy sustainable ecosystems; interdependence between humans Mecan River Segment,
preservation of scenic views, bio- and nature; investment in the Waushara County
diversity, and geological features; future; engaging with one’s world.
National Park Service 13FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
Management Goals education program lies in whether
or not a particular audience requires
These goals describe management’s communication in a way that is
intent in offering interpretive and distinct from that of the general
educational programs and services. audience. Factors to consider
The goals for interpretive products include the life experiences of
and services are: the individual or group, level of
education, learning styles, language,
• To create public awareness of the cultural traditions, time available for
Ice Age Trail and the value it brings interaction, and others. The Ice Age
to our lives—scenic, recreational, NST’s audiences are:
wellness/health, scientific, spiritual
and personal relevance. • Local audience. Given the nature
of the trail and its connection to
• To connect people on the trail with trail communities, this may be
the significance of the landforms the Ice Age NST’s most important
they will see; and to help them audience. Not only does it include
understand how those land forms casual users of the trail for daily
were created and to imagine the exercise and dog walking, but it
scene 20,000 years ago when the also includes opportunities for
glacier was still present. citizen science and volunteering.
The local audience needs
• To create public awareness that the interpretive strategies that will
Ice Age Trail is a Long Distance sustain their interest and keep
National Scenic Trail that is used as them returning to the trail.
a backbone connecting public lands
and other trails across the state. • General audience. The general
audience for the trail could be
• To connect urban populations defined as “out-of-town-travelers.”
to the great outdoors for their They arrive by car, will observe
enjoyment and to gain appreciation landscape features and experience
for the natural environment. interpretive media, but may or may
not hike or walk on the trail.
• To provide youth with a nature
immersion experience and envi- • Curriculum-driven audience.
ronmental education, a place for This audience comes with specific
creative play, and to inspire them to curriculum goals in mind. One
be the land stewards of the future. target age group is 7th grade
students, who study Wisconsin
geology. Other targets include
Audience Segments scouting groups that are meeting
badge or community service
The basis for categorizing audience requirements, high school and
segments for the interpretation and college students with service
14 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanFOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
requirements, home-schooled
students, charter schools, private
schools, and the senior study
group, Road Scholar.
• Virtual audience. A certain
number of visitors will access the
Ice Age NST via the NPS and Ice
Age Trail Alliance webpages. These
include people who are planning
to visit, as well as those for whom
the internet will be their only
experience of the trail. The virtual
audience can also be considered
those who access interpretation via
smart phone applications, although
they are more likely to be on or ferently to different audiences, not Snow shoeing on Ice
Age Trail in Kettle
near the trail when they do so. only through a variety of media, Moraine, Southern Unit.
but emphasizing specific aspects of Photo courtesy Ice Age
• Families. This audience overlaps those themes. Trail Alliance
with others, but the emphasis is
on connecting with family, getting • Non-English speakers. This
children outdoors, and teaching audience may require multilingual
whole families outdoor skills so media.
they can continue to enjoy nature
on their own. • Minority and urban populations.
This audience may require
• Recreation audience. This special outreach and additional
year-round user group includes research into how they can best be
hikers, walkers, and winter reached. Urban outreach strategies
sports enthusiasts. They come employed by other AGO units
to the trail for fun and activity may provide a starting point to
more than interpretation, so the development of the Ice Age NST’s
interpretive elements need to be own approach to these audiences.
strategically posed in order to
reach them. Services for this group • Physically/cognitively challenged
may go beyond interpretation, to audience. Universal design
facilitating their experience by concepts will make interpretive
providing amenities, “concierge”- media accessible to most. Physical
style services, and even a shuttle. adaptations to the trail where
Rather than “dog walkers,” this feasible will support not only
audience includes those who like visitors with disabilities, but also
to hike with their dogs. In addition, families with small children and
themes might be presented dif- senior citizens.
National Park Service 15FOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
Desired Visitor Experiences
Statements of desired visitor
experiences describe how the
park’s interpretation and education
program facilitates intellectual,
inspirational, emotional, and
physical experiences for visitors.
These statements describe what
visitors to the park would like to
learn, feel, do, or experience when
visiting the park (either in person or
remotely). These experiences for the
Ice Age NST include:
• Visitors want to experience the
trail as a place to escape the stress
and chaos of everyday life, where
they can find solitude, serenity,
silence, and spirituality as they
connect with the natural world,
finding personal relevance in their
experiences.
• Visitors want to experience
the sights and sounds of nature.
They want to see and smell spring
wild flowers and other plants, trace
with their fingers the striations in
bedrock left by the glacier, hear
birdcalls, and see animals or
their signs.
• Visitors want to understand
how the glacial features they
see were formed. They want to
learn to read the landscape, to
identify each kind of feature, to
understand how each was created,
and to visualize the land as it may
have looked thousands of years
ago when the glacier was present.
They want to learn how the glacial
Pasque Flower at Mecan River State Fishery Area, Waushara County landscape has influenced the way
16 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanFOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
people have lived on the land for of the trail: that it is in fact a
millennia. “National Scenic Trail.”
• Visitors want to hike the trail as a o Service to urban audiences will
means to building and maintaining require new, innovative market-
physical fitness, health, and strength. ing strategies.
They want to be able to hike safely
and confidently. o The “No Child Left Inside”
movement provides excellent
• Visitors want to experience beautiful opportunities for the Ice
natural views of pastoral and agri- Age NST to participate in a
cultural landscapes that are free of nationwide initiative to get more
intrusions such as houses, roads, and children acquainted with and
other signs of modern development. comfortable in natural sur-
roundings.
• Visitors want to connect with
families and friends while o The trail provides opportunities
connecting with nature. for classroom field trips, but
administering and delivering
school programs can be difficult
Issues and Opportunities given current fiscal limitations
and constraints on students’
This section notes issues and oppor- time.
tunities inside and outside the park,
resource-based issues, and internal o The Ice Age Trail Alliance has
issues that affect interpretation and sponsored an audience survey
education. Collectively, it reflects the by UW-Whitewater, funded
perspectives of upper management, by a transportation grant, that
as well as staff members and provides valuable information
stakeholders. Issues and oppor- about visitor demographics and
tunities for the Ice Age NST include: the trail’s economic impact.
Please see below for highlights
• Opportunities to reach new of the study. The full Joint
audiences. The selection of a Effort Marketing Report is
segment of the Ice Age NST available at http://www.iceaget-
as part of the America’s Great rail.org/economic-impact.
Outdoors (AGO) project provides
a superlative opportunity to o The plan provides the opportu-
identify the trail’s educational and nity to identify new technolo-
interpretive potential resources, gies to interpret the trail and
and to serve new audiences. reach new audiences.
o Many people are not aware • Need for improved user services.
of the national significance The trail and its connecting routes
National Park Service 17PLANNING FOUNDATION
can seem confusing and hard to o While the trail has many strong
learn. Good orientation to the partners, there remains a need
trail, including pre-visit, pre-hike, for better communication
and on-trail locations, represent a among groups in the region
critical need. There is also a need that share similar mission,
for more highway signs directing values, and goals.
people to trail segments.
o Twenty-one trail chapters for
o There is a need for public the overall trail provide an
transportation to trailheads if exceptionally dedicated group
the trail is to effectively serve of volunteers who handle
urban audiences. nearly all trail construction and
maintenance. This devoted
o There is a need for more places corps of volunteers is the pride
to camp along the trail. of the National Park Service.
The Dane, Sauk, and Columbia
• Support. The Ice Age NST is County chapters are active in
supported by a strong triad supporting the AGO segment of
composed of the National Park the trail.
Service (NPS), Wisconsin Depart-
ment of Natural Resources (DNR), o The Mobile Skills Crew (MSC),
and the Ice Age Trail Alliance in its tenth year of operation, is
(IATA). The AGO segment of the a statewide group of volunteers,
trail is also supported by the Aldo trained in advanced crew
Leopold Foundation, Baraboo leadership and trail construc-
Range Preservation Association, tion techniques, who bring
Natural Conservancy, and Dane, their knowledge and expertise
Sauk and Columbia County Parks to coordinate, manage, and
and Recreation Departments. In train volunteers for local trail-
addition, a national organization, building projects. The program
the Partnership for the National provides invaluable service by
Trails System, assists with lobbying bringing professional quality
expertise and federal funding management and sustainable
requests; and the Knowles-Nelson trail standards to the trail
State Stewardship Program and development system.
the Land and Water Conservation
Fund provide monies to protect o The Swamplovers project at
lands for the trail. Table Bluff, a private nonprofit
organization that is connected
o Many townships, municipali- to the Ice Age Trail, provides
ties, and conservation organiza- an excellent example of how
tions have also been supportive hunting and conservation can
of the Ice Age Trail. exist in harmony.
18 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanFOUNDATION FOR PLANNING
• Trail-building. The trail as o There is a great deal of interest
planned statewide is only half- locally and statewide in prairie
complete. Land acquisition to re-creation and restoration, a
connect existing trail segments trend that strongly supports the
continues to provide both Ice Age NST mission. However,
challenges and opportunities as there is a need for education of
management seeks to fulfill the the public regarding the nature
plans for the whole trail. of the pre-contact landscape
in order for such programs to
o Approximately 60% of the be well received. The public
70-mile AGO Ice Age NST frequently has concerns over
through Dane, Southern the necessary removal of trees
Columbia County and Sauk and shrubs, and the burning
County still needs to be acquired required to create a prairie.
and the trail constructed.
• Interpretive media. Although not
o Acquisition within the Ice all visitors will have smart phones,
Age Complex at Cross Plains there is widespread support for
continues with approximately using smart phone technology and
half of the park in public own- other electronic media to interpret
ership. Purchase of a few key aspects of the glacial landscape.
parcels will allow the Ice Age
NST to cross the property. The o DNR has recently produced a
National Park Service purchase film that includes a series of ani-
of the former Wilkie farmstead mations that show the process of
provides new opportunities for glaciation and how the resulting
interpretation and education, landforms were created.
along with the responsibility of
deciding on the best future use o There is a need to extend inter-
for the existing farm buildings, pretation through publications
and on the most appropriate and souvenirs that visitors can
kinds of visitor services to be bring home with them.
provided at the Complex.
• A planning model. The LRIP for
• Land stewardship. Areas along this trail segment may serve as a
the Ice Age Trail that are model for planning for other Ice
currently protected require Age Trail segments, and perhaps
regular maintenance and vegeta- even for other national scenic
tive management. As part of the trails.
mission of the Ice Age NST,
agencies and volunteers are also
enhancing and restoring the land
surrounding the trail to indigenous
native plant communities.
National Park Service 19View of Indian Lake and prairie at Indian Lake County Park, Dane County 20 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan
Existing Conditions
Background
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail
is a work in progress. As planned,
the trail is about half finished, with
more than 600 miles complete out
of the projected 1,200 of the final
route. However, connecting routes,
many of them along public roads,
have been identified that make it
possible even today to hike the entire
1,200-mile route. The partners who
manage the trail are continually
in the process of carrying out
the Corridor Planning Process to
identify a general route for the trail
in specific counties, and to negotiate
land purchases that will connect
existing trail segments.
The trail, the “brain child” of
Milwaukee lawyer Ray Zillmer back
in 1958, winds through the state
along the terminal moraine of the
last Wisconsin glaciation. Hikers
on the trail have the opportunity to
observe one of the most significant
collections of glacial features to
be found anywhere in the world,
including moraines, kettles, kames,
drumlins, erratics, kettle lakes,
potholes, eskers, marshes, meltwater
channels, gorges, ice-walled lake
plains, outwash plains, and glacial
lake beds. As they hike, they
encounter wetlands, bogs, lakes,
prairies, oak savannas, forests,
farmland, upland habitat, the
shores of Lake Michigan, and even
towns and cities. Like the famed
Appalachian Trail, the Ice Age Trail
is mainly intended for off-road
hiking. The eastern terminus of
the trail is in Potawatomi State Park
National Park Service 21EXISTING CONDITIONS
in Door County. The trail runs thousand miles away. Their gushing
through 30 counties, with the meltwaters radically shaped the land.
western terminus in Interstate State The unique glacial landscape has
Park, an Ice Age National Scientific long been a source of pride and
Reserve Unit at St. Croix Falls in wonder to its inhabitants. Anthro-
Polk County on the Minnesota pologists believe that it may have
border. inspired the ancient Mound Builders
to create their own versions of the
The trail is managed by a “Triad,” glacial features they observed on the
a partnership of the National Park landscape, such as drumlins, eskers,
Service, the Ice Age Trail Alliance and kames, by reflecting those shapes
(IATA), and Wisconsin Department in the rich array of effigy mounds
of Natural Resources (DNR). The they built hundreds of years ago.
Triad works together to preserve the
natural landscape on and near the In 1964, Congress directed the
trail, which is often threatened by Secretary of the Interior to work
residential, industrial, and energy with the governor of Wisconsin
development. The National Park to create an Ice Age National
Service is the primary administrator, Scientific Reserve (Reserve), formally
providing planning and compliance, established in 1971, to protect,
sign systems, tools, and funding preserve, and interpret the tangible
to support partners and trail elements of the Wisconsin glaciation.
construction. DNR coordinates Congress authorized the Ice Age
the involvement of state agencies, NST in 1980 as a Long Distance Trail
leads the land acquisition process, that would connect most of the Units
and participates in the planning, of the Reserve. In 1987, the state
development, and management legislature designated the trail as a
of trail segments. The Alliance Wisconsin State Scenic Trail.
promotes the trail, participates in
planning and land acquisition, and In 2010, President Barack Obama’s
trains and coordinates the efforts of administration launched the
volunteers who build and maintain America’s Great Outdoors (AGO)
the trail. Initiative, calling for a grassroots
approach to conservation and ways
The “prehistory” of the trail goes to reconnect Americans, especially
back nearly 30,000 years ago, when youth and urban populations, with
two-thirds of what is now the state their natural heritage.
of Wisconsin was covered with
enormous glaciers up to two miles Two projects were selected for
thick. The glaciers scraped and each state. One segment of the Ice
sculpted the landscape as they Age National Scenic Trail – from
advanced, and left behind deposits the Ice Age Complex at Cross
as they retreated, including some Plains (Dane County) to the Aldo
erratics that were carried from a Leopold Shack (Sauk County) – was
22 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanEXISTING CONDITIONS
selected for the AGO project due new audiences, to encourage more Aldo Leopold Shack,
to its proximity to and easy access recreational use of the trail, and to Sauk County
for a large urban population. The provide effective interpretation of
LRIP for this segment of the trail the trail segment’s stunning array
is intended to facilitate the goals of of glacial features.
AGO by planning for outreach to
National Park Service 23EXISTING CONDITIONS
featuring 105 detailed, colored hiking
maps, along with the Ice Age Trail
Companion Guide that describes the
trail segment by segment.
The Atlas and Companion Guide
are invaluable for orientation to the
trail, as trail segments are not yet
continuous; it can be confusing to
hikers and other visitors as to where
the trail is located and how the
connecting routes link the segments.
The Companion Guide is particularly
valuable for long distance hikers
in finding support facilities such
as campsites and in providing
background and highlights on
particular trail segments.
For visitors who would like more
in-depth information, Geology of
the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
(Madison: University of Wisconsin
Press, 2011), by David M. Mickelson,
Ice Age wayside Information and Orientation Louis J. Maher, Jr., and Susan L.
exhibit in Roznos Simpson, provides a wonderfully
Meadow, Devil’s
Lake State Park, Information about the trail is accessible account of the trail’s
Sauk County available from a number of sources. features, including “Science Briefs”
Photo courtesy
of Ice Age Trail
The National Park Service website that explain the science behind
Alliance provides basic information, glaciers and how different glacial
including an overview map and land forms are created, as well as a
a link to Ice Age: Geology of Ice segment-by-segment description of
Age National Scientific Reserve landscape elements.
of Wisconsin (NPS Scientific
Monograph No. 2, 1974) by Robert On the ground, the trail is indicated
F. Black. The Department of in a variety of ways. There are simple
Natural Resources maintains an wooden routed signs, upright signs
on-line interactive map viewer on its that feature a map of the whole trail,
website that allows hikers to print standard Park Service-style wayside
out detailed maps of the trail. The exhibits and other interpretive signs,
Ice Age Trail Alliance website offers and kiosks. The trail for the most part
downloadable maps and descriptions is sustainably built with native soil,
of each segment, and the Alliance and with boardwalks, bridges and
publishes the Ice Age Trail Atlas other structures placed in wet areas.
24 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanEXISTING CONDITIONS
The Audience year. Internet responders (targeted
through the organization’s email
Anecdotally, it is clear that many users list) unsurprisingly used the trail 30
of the trail reside near it and use it or more times per year.
to walk their dogs, improve physical
fitness, or catch a breath of fresh air at • 51.1% of users seek out new sections
the end of a long day. However, more of the trail, while 37.4% enjoy
than fifty hikers have achieved the returning to familiar trail segments.
designation of “Thousand-Miler” by
hiking the entire length of the trail, • Average number of people in the
either as through-hikers, or segment party was 4.86.
by segment.
• Average age of respondents: 38
Interestingly, when stakeholders of the
trail were queried during the planning • On-trail respondents were equally
process about what population divided between women and men,
segments utilize the trail, the answers but the online responses broke
seemed to vary by segment. For down at 60% male, 40% female.
example, Dane County stakeholders
cited growing numbers of college-age • 32.6% of respondents had 4-year
youth and young families on the trail, college degrees, and another 19.4%
while Sauk County stakeholders felt had master’s degrees, for a total of
this population under-utilizes the trail. 52% of users with college degrees.
In 2012, the Ice Age Trail Alliance Among internet responders, 75.3%
commissioned an audience survey had a college degree or higher.
and economic impact study through
Economic Development Partners and • The overwhelming majority of
the Fiscal and Economic Research respondents learned about the trail
Center (FERC) at the University of from family and friends, followed by
Wisconsin-Whitewater. Responses the internet.
for the Joint Effort Marketing
Report were collected from more • 47.7% of users did not take travel
than 1,010 trail users through online, distance into consideration when
mail, and field surveys at various planning their trips.
access points along the Ice Age Trail.
Key findings included: • 60% have a household income
greater than $50,000, while 26.5%
• Based on the field survey results, an had incomes of under $40,000.
estimated 1,252,685 people use the
trail annually. • 51% of those surveyed stayed
overnight in the region, with the
• Nearly 93 percent of those surveyed balance being day-trippers. 52% of
were repeat users and used the those who stayed overnight stayed
Trail an average of 10.26 times per in tent campgrounds.
National Park Service 25EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Hiking and geocaching were the group use technology to connect
highest ranked trail activities. to the outdoors, including online
research, social media, blog sites,
• Users from 31-45 years old with and QR codes.
incomes of $40,000-59,000 were
identified as a highly motivated • Madison, metropolitan Milwaukee,
target audience. and northern Illinois were identified
as primary target markets for the
Ice Age Trail on • The number of users in the 18-30- region. Secondary markets include
Main Street,
City of Lodi,
year-old target group seems to be Minnesota and Iowa.
Columbia County growing. More than 60% in this age
26 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanEXISTING CONDITIONS
Experiencing the Trail of driftless terrain, as does a bluff
located behind the barn. The NPS
This section refers to the AGO- will evaluate a number of alternative
designated section of the trail, from scenarios to develop the Complex,
the Cross Plains Complex to the Aldo including re-use of the existing
Leopold Shack. buildings, and/or a new visitor center
with broad views of the glaciated and
driftless terrain.
ICE AGE COMPLEX AT CROSS
PLAINS. The Cross Plains Complex Shoveler Sink, managed by the U.S.
is a 1,700-acre site near the village Fish and Wildlife Service, is a former
of Cross Plains, centered on the ice-dammed lake that still holds
former Wilkie farm, that includes shallow water, especially during wet
an outstanding collection of glacial weather. There is a sinkhole at its
landforms. It is one of the nine
Erratic at edge of
units in the Ice Age National Scien- Gorge in the Ice Age
tific Reserve. The most prominent Complex at Cross
Plains, Dane County
features of the Ice Age Complex are
a spectacular gorge that was carved
out by meltwater, an array of glacial
erratics (some of which have been
traced to their origin northeast
of Lake Superior), four proglacial
lakes, and great views to the Drift-
less Area, the Johnstown moraine,
and areas of glacial outwash. The
Complex is an especially good point
for comparing views of driftless
(unglaciated) and glaciated terrain.
The Wilkie farm buildings include
a stone house, parts of which date View out of former
to the 1850s, a barn, and garage. The Wilkie house
park applied for National Register
of Historic Places designation for
the farmhouse, a 1950s-era addition
which had been designed by
prominent local architect William
Kaiser. Designation was denied on
the grounds that the house was not
a strong example of Kaiser’s work.
The potential administrative, inter-
pretive, or maintenance use of the
buildings has not been determined.
The house features beautiful views
National Park Service 27EXISTING CONDITIONS
northeast end. The lake features It is located in the Black Earth Trench,
an excellent view of the terminal a very large glacial drainageway that
(Johnstown) moraine. In addition to contains a 300-foot-thick bed of sand
hiking, visitors come to Shoveler Sink and gravel fill, the results of glacial
to hunt waterfowl and pick berries. outwash. Today State Highway 14
also winds through this drainageway.
One of the most spectacular features
in the Complex is located at the center The center of the Complex is
of the site along a hiking trail just off located within a seven-to-eight
Old Sauk Pass. A deep gorge carved square mile road-less area. The
by glacial meltwater is found here night sky and sound environment
that is considered very significant. are relatively free of intrusions.
Located adjacent to it are erratics that Potential interpretive topics in
were dropped along the glacier’s edge, addition to the glacial features
and limestone bedrock outcroppings. include restoration of native plant
Habitat within the gorge is southern communities, sustainable habitat,
mesic, with remnants of oak savanna climate change, and American
surrounding it. The property that is Indian use of area resources and
home to the gorge is currently owned travel routes. There are 30 schools
by DNR. The NPS and DNR plan within 10 miles of the Ice Age
to make the trail to the gorge from Complex.
the Wilkie farmstead accessible;
and DNR and Ice Age Trail Alliance CROSS PLAINS SEGMENT. This
chapter members are currently in the 2.7-mile segment crosses Black Earth
process of restoring the property to Creek and goes right by the Ice Age
oak savanna habitat. Trail Alliance headquarters in the
Ice Age Trail at Black Village of Cross Plains. Visitors can
Earth Creek in the
Village of Cross Plains, Black Earth Creek, a Class A trout stop at the headquarters for maps
Dane County stream, runs through the Complex. and other information and meet the
IATA staff. Driftless Area bedrock
hills lie north of the Village of Cross
Plains where the Ice Age Trail winds
up to offer great views both to the
south and east. This part of the
trail features a prairie restoration in
progress.
TABLE BLUFF SEGMENT. Table Bluff
Segment extends northwest of the
Village of Cross Plains for 2.4 miles
through the Driftless Area. On the
south end, the trail meanders for 1.5
miles on the Swamplovers property.
This property, which has been
28 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanEXISTING CONDITIONS
Service and the Ice Age Trail
Alliance have contributed toward the View of tunnel channel
prairie restoration, with much of the that winds through
work attributable to the leadership Indian Lake County Park
of the Swamplovers Foundation,
Inc. The northern 0.9 miles of this
trail segment, owned by the Ice Age
Trail Alliance, leads to Table Bluff, a
distinctive rock formation composed
of St. Peters sandstone.
INDIAN LAKE SEGMENT. Indian Lake
is a 450-acre Dane County park that
hosts about 80,000 visitors per year.
developed by a private nonprofit The park features glacial outwash,
organization called Swamplovers, erratic boulders, enormous tunnel
is well known for its biological channels, and a large kettle, which is
diversity, displays of wildflowers, occupied by Indian Lake. Also found
and the quality of the prairie and within the park is a well-known
oak savanna restoration. A climb up small chapel. Trees include a grove
the steep rocky slopes of the bluff of paper birch, as well as old oaks on
yields a beautiful view of the driftless the hilltops that are gradually being
region and a valley filled with glacial managed for oak savanna. Before
outwash. This landscape offers settlement brought a halt to frequent Hikers enjoying the Ice
many resources, including native fires, the area around the lake was Age Trail at Lodi Marsh
vegetation, wildlife communities, mostly prairie. State Wildlife Area
and geology. Photo courtesy Ice Age
LODI SEGMENTS. Lodi segments Trail Alliance
In 1986, five local men bought this include the Lodi Marsh, Eastern Lodi
450-acre parcel near Table Bluff Marsh, and City of Lodi Segments.
as hunting lands and as a place to
teach youth about hunting. Once
the lands were purchased, they
began to clear brush on the bluff and
found dormant native wildflowers
(shooting stars). As a result, they
committed to restoring the former
ecosystem, which includes 150
acres of prairie, oak savanna, oak
openings, wetlands, and wetland
prairies. The men created a
501(c)3 nonprofit and a $1.1 million
endowment to support the res-
toration. The US Fish and Wildlife
National Park Service 29View of tunnel There is a beautiful loop trail through
channel, the Lodi Marsh State Wildlife Area
Spring Creek, that features an Education Trail with
Central Bluff,
and Hawks Bluff interpretive signage; a printed guide
at Lodi Marsh State is also available. A State Natural Area
Wildlife Area,
Dane County
designation overlays a portion of the
State Wildlife Area that contains the
marsh, which is biologically rich.
The State Wildlife Area is located just
outside the city of Lodi. It features
views of a tunnel channel, Central
Bluff and Hawks Bluff (partially
submerged drumlins), Gibraltar Rock,
the Baraboo Hills, and the marsh. The
trail goes right through Lodi, which
offers hikers some nice restaurants,
pubs, shops, and a German bakery.
Total trail mileage here is approxi-
mately 5.0 miles.
GROVER PERTZBORN SEGMENT. This
1.6-mile segment winds around the
north side of a drumlin. A parking
lot along County Trunk J provides
access to it.
Above: Children The town and city of Lodi have been
participating in
the IATA’s Summer
effective, supportive partners. The
Saunters program IATA’s Summer Saunters program,
hiking the Ice Age Trail a hiking program for elementary
at Table Bluff
Photo courtesy school children that helps them
Ice Age Trail Alliance develop healthy lifestyles and
appreciation for the natural environ-
Right: Face of
Gibralter Rock, ment, originated there. Lodi schools
Columbia County make frequent use of the trail and its
features. The grand view from the
Lodi golf course is from the top of a GIBRALTAR SEGMENT. This 2.4-mile
drumlin, and drumlins are a major trail segment includes a state park
glacial feature visible in this area. centered on a huge sandstone bluff,
30 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanEXISTING CONDITIONS
Gibraltar Rock, a preglacial feature. by damming the Wisconsin River)
Spectacular views of the glaciated that addresses regional and local
landscape from the top include trail information. On the north side
the Wisconsin River, the Baraboo of the river, the trail passes through
Hills, a bog, and a scenic valley. The the 1,800-acre Merrimac Preserve,
bluff face has a State Natural Area a parcel of forest, prairie, savanna,
designation because of rare plant wetlands, and streams owned and
species, and the bluff is a spectacular managed by the Riverland Con-
post from which to watch migrating servancy, formerly the Wisconsin
raptors riding thermal breezes near Power and Light Stewardship Trust,
the cliff face. During the 1960s, a Inc. The Preserve provides a wildlife
road was built to the top of the bluff corridor between the Baraboo Hills
where a picnic area was placed. and the Wisconsin River.
Today, the picnic area has been
removed and the road has been
allowed to naturalize.
DEVILS LAKE SEGMENT. This Left: Colsac 3,
approximately 10-mile-long segment the Merrimac Ferry
is part of the Ice Age NST’s Devil’s
Lake Unit. It includes Devil’s Lake Above: Talus slopes at
MERRIMAC FERRY SEGMENT. The State Park, Wisconsin’s third oldest, Devil’s Lake State Park,
Sauk County
ferry is touted as the only part of the largest, and most visited state park.
Ice Age Trail that moves. It is the last Perhaps the park’s most striking
inland ferry in Wisconsin, making a features are the ancient quartzite
half-mile crossing of Lake Wiscon- walls (1.6 billion years old) of the
sin, and passage is free of charge. A Devil’s Lake gorge. Here the terminal
large wayside exhibit with a map of moraine lies on top of and wraps
the trail is planned for this location; around the bluffs that were largely
an Ice Age NST kiosk is already in left untouched by the glacier. The
place on the south side of Lake Wis- lake was formed when the ice left
consin (actually a reservoir created behind a moraine at each end of the
National Park Service 31EXISTING CONDITIONS
lake, creating “plugs” that blocked stand covering many of its 24 acres.
the flow of meltwater and created Public restrooms are available along
the lake. It is unusual in that it does the entire stretch of this trail and the
not have rivers or streams flowing in modern conveniences of downtown
or out of its waters. Baraboo are only two blocks off this
Glacial features include the section of the Ice Age Trail.
Johnstown moraine and the beds of
former lakes dammed by the glacier. ALDO LEOPOLD SHACK AND
Available experiences include hikes on FOUNDATION. The AGO-designated
the moraine and spectacular views of Ice Age Trail segment ends at the
the driftless area from the top of the Aldo Leopold Shack, the chicken
bluffs, as well as views of the lake. coop that the famed conservationist
turned into a rustic country retreat
for his family. The family’s careful
stewardship and restoration of the
land inspired Leopold’s classic A
Sand County Almanac. The Ice Age
Trail will connect with Leopold
Foundation trails, and through
America’s Great Outdoors, the Shack
and the Aldo Leopold Legacy Visitor
Center (the Foundation’s headquar-
ters), will also be connected via a
City of Baraboo Segment. The 3,000-foot boardwalk. The Visitor
Ringling Brothers Ice Age Trail through the City of Center is a spectacular modern
Circus on building, created from lumber made
Baraboo River, Baraboo follows the scenic Baraboo
City of Baraboo River corridor and the asphalt- from the pine trees the Leopold
surfaced Baraboo Riverwalk. This family planted on their farm, and
3-mile trail section begins in south is a LEED-certified platinum-
Baraboo at the popular Dog Park, level building. The Aldo Leopold
located just one mile north of Devils Foundation provides education and
Lake State Park. An ADA drinking interpretation about Leopold’s land
fountain is available at the Dog Park ethic through classes, seminars, and
for park and trail users. The trail media productions.
Right: Aldo Leopold
Foundation Visitor follows the river northwest through
Center, Sauk County the city, passing the Circus World
Museum grounds and several city
parks, including Ochsner Park
Zoo, before ending on the city’s
northwest corner at the University
of Wisconsin, Baraboo. In addition
to the free admission zoo, Ochsner
Park has a large mature oak tree
32 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanEXISTING CONDITIONS
Interpretive Partners the Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains.
About 20,000 cars pass the head-
Partners in interpretation include quarters on Main Street each day.
the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Wisconsin The Alliance is funded by multiple
Department of Natural Resources, public and private sources, including
and the Aldo Leopold Foundation. the NPS and WDNR. There are 21
different trail chapters, covering 30
Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA). The counties. Chapter volunteers work
Ice Age Trail Alliance is a 401(c)3 on trail building and maintenance,
non-profit grassroots volunteer- as well as providing support in the
and member-based organization form of meals and refreshments for
that works with NPS and DNR to the workers.
support and protect the trail. The
professional staff of seven plus The Mobile Skills Crew (MSC), one
fifteen board members addresses of the IATA’s signature programs,
everything from trail layout and is celebrating its tenth year of
construction methods to land operation. The MSC is a statewide
stewardship, trail maintenance, group of volunteers, trained in
volunteer organization and support, advanced crew leadership and trail
and land acquisition. construction techniques, who bring
their knowledge and expertise to
The IATA got its start in 1958 as the coordinate, manage, and train
Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation. volunteers for local trail-building
In the early 1970s, the Ice Age Trail
Council was formed to carry out the
vision for the trail. The two orga-
nizations merged in 1990. In 2009,
the name was changed to the Ice
Age Trail Alliance. Seven different
informal offices along the trail were
consolidated into one in 2008 with
the construction of the beautiful
building that now serves as head-
quarters, which was made possible
through the generosity of the
Congressman Henry S. Reuss family.
(Congressman Reuss was the first to
publish a professional book about
the trail, On the Trail of the Ice Age,
in 1976.) The headquarters location
in the village of Cross Plains is
ideal: it is right on the trail, close to
Madison’s population center, close to
partner organizations, and close to
National Park Service 33PLANNING FOUNDATION
projects. The program brings WDNR has a number of staff,
professional quality management including interpreters at Devil’s
and sustainable trail standards Lake State Park (a Reserve Unit),
to the trail development system. that provide a variety of educational
Depending on the project, the programs on the significant geologic,
Mobile Skills Crews can number biologic, and cultural resources
from 30 people to more than 300, found within the AGO project area.
and have completed over 70 Ice The interpretive resources that DNR
Age Trail projects to date. Many brings to the Ice Age NST AGO
participants have gone on to join project are truly exceptional.
the IATA staff or board leadership.
ALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION.
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF The Aldo Leopold Foundation
NATURAL RESOURCES. The DNR is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, donor-
manages the wide range of con- supported organization based at
servation and recreation functions the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in
that would be expected of such an Baraboo, Wisconsin. The founda-
agency. It oversees forest manage- tion’s mission is to inspire an ethical
ment, environmental protection, relationship between people and
water resources, and outdoor land through the legacy of Aldo
recreational activities. It manages Leopold. Leopold regarded a land
licensing and regulation; provides ethic as a product of social evolu-
for statewide recreational opportu- tion. “Nothing so important as an
nities from ATV riding to wildlife ethic is ever ‘written,’” he explained.
viewing; and educates the public “It evolves in the minds of a
about recreational safety, outdoor thinking community.” The founda-
skills, tracking, trapping, angling, tion’s membership forms a modern
and invasive species. It provides day “thinking community,” and
a number of educational services the foundation’s programs create
including access to a web-based opportunities for rich, diverse, and
program on sustainability called productive dialogue with members
Green & Healthy Schools; and others about humanity’s rela-
an ecology unit called Project tionships to land, allowing the idea
Learning Tree; water education of a land ethic to unfold in a myriad
for teachers (WET); Project WILD, of ways. The foundation has eleven
an educational program about professional staff whose expertise
wildlife and responsible human consists of education and land
actions; and Get Outdoors, which management specialists, ecologists,
are scheduled activities to encourage biologists, and administrative staff.
kids and adults to enjoy nature.
The NPS and DNR have a close, The Aldo Leopold Foundation owns
cooperative relationship regard- and manages the original Aldo
ing the Ice Age NST and Ice Age Leopold Shack and 300 surrounding
National Scientific Reserve. The acres, in addition to several other
34 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive PlanYou can also read
