February Conservancy Day
Aldo Leopold's January Thaw
...and a nature scene investigation!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Sauk Trail Elementary School's LMC/library
Join us for our second in a series of 2010 Conservancy Day Programs themed to Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac. The first chapter of the book is January Thaw. The second is The Good Oak. We will read the chapters together (volunteers encouraged) and then apply what we’ve read. A nature scene investigation will ask you whose tracks those are - a bunny, deer, or bird? Which direction were they traveling? How about what they’ve had to eat? Do you see any other clues about what they are thinking or doing to survive in Wisconsin’s winter? Or, join the old growth oak activity and create your own art and stories about the life history of a favorite tree. Enjoy an indoor exploration of the mysteries of wildlife, trees and the outdoors in our coldest season.
Free and open to the public. All ages welcome - chaperones required for children under 10 years old.
Conservancy Day Events2010 Phenology Calendar still available
Orders are still being taken for the FOPB 2010 Phenology Calendar.
This year's calendar includes images from local photographers Mike McDowell, Elizabeth Thompson, Eric Peyrot and Colette Kolker Wagner.
Eric Peyrot's wetland scene is featured on the cover. You can see more from
Mike McDowell in his digiscoping blog on birds and nature, and
Colette Kolker Wagner's photos are on exhibit in Elegance in Nature at the
University of Wisconsin Library December 3, 2009 through January 21, 2010.
2010 Calendar prices are $14.50 for one, $25 for two, or $37 for three. (These prices include shipping & handling).
Birds of PBC DVD
Our Bird DVD features beautiful photos by Mike McDowell and Dan Geocaris. A great gift, or review your bird identifications. Comes with a free DNR checklist to birds of Pheasant Branch Conservancy (limited supply). Only $10.
New Seasonal Trail map
New, seasonal trails in the Dane County Unit of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
The county has created some trails for fall seed collecting. It’s a great time to explore new areas in the conservancy. Tom Klein, a Friends volunteer, has mapped these temporary trails. Enjoy!
[Click on image to view a larger map].
Download Seasonal Trail Map (384 kB)
Bock Forest Addendum
Mike Anderson has completed an addendum to the Bock Forest management plan.
This addendum was prepared in response to public comment in April 2009.
[Click on image to view a larger map].
Download Bock Forest Addendum (285 kB)
Friends Oppose Conservancy Trails Paving
Why, in brief, the Friends of Pheasant Branch oppose the paving of trails in the Conservancy as proposed in Middleton’s Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan:
• Paving is contrary to the purposes of the Conservancy, such as the observation of nature.
• Trails allowing such multiple uses as high-speed bike travel and in-line skating will conflict with
and cause safety issues for walkers and hikers, for joggers and skiers.
• The widening and paving of trails will result in damage to the vegetation and wildlife of the Conservancy.
• Certain seasonal uses of the trail such as skiing and bird-watching will be curtailed or eliminated by the paving.
Plowing of snow and the use of salt will compromise the natural quality of the land.
• The Plan goes directly counter to the one formal vote taken on the paving question—-
a decision by the Plan Commission not to include paving among the plan’s proposals.
• Pave the streets that need paving, not the Conservancy.
FOPB Letter on Middleton Bike/Ped Plan
The Friends of Pheasant Branch statement on the Middleton Bike and Pedestrian Plan.
PLEASE NOTE: The current petition against trails in the conservancy applies only to trails north of Century Avenue,
NOT the corridor from Century Ave. to Parmenter.
Soils of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
The Soils of Pheasant Branch Conservancy: An analysis of soil features and their suitability for recreational uses using the USDA’s web soil survey.