We will see, hear about and walk through the properties that were restored from the Badger Army Ammunition Plant during the last 20 years:
- Ho-Chunk Nation
- State Recreation Area
- Federal Agricultural Research Land
Transportation from Madison is on your own.
Introduction
This is a school bus tour with optional 20 minute walks on the Ho-Chunk and State Recreation Area properties. The tour will begin and end at the Badger History Museum at the entrance to Badger on Hwy. 12 (across from the Citgo Station). Water and light snacks will be provided. Bring your own sack lunch and refreshments.
Tour and Walk of the Restored Lands
At 9:50 am, the school bus will meet us at the entry road adjacent to the parking area by the Badger History Museum. We will tour the three restored properties that, combined, had formed the 7400 acre Badger Army Ammunition Plant, stopping occasionally for optional short (20 minute) walks to get advantageous views of the landscape.
We have a rare opportunity to enter the Ho-Chunk Nation as one of our leaders, Randy Poelma, is property manager for all Ho-Chunk Nation properties. We will hear about the process of having the land restored and ceded to the Ho-Chunk Nation, as well as the long term vision the Ho-Chunk Nation has for the land.
Our leaders for the 3 hour tour of the properties, with opportunities for a few 20 minute walks are:
Charlie Luthin
Charlie Luthin, director of the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance; has also served as director of the Wisconsin-based groups, including the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Wisconsin Wetlands Association and Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.
Randy Poelma
Randy is the property manager for all Ho-Chunk Nation properties throughout the State including Badger.
Dr. Curt Meine
A Senior Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Mr. Meine continues to write, speak, teach, and engage in other outreach activities that grew from publishing his 1988 biography of Aldo Leopold. Having served on as a conservation biologist, writer, and historian, he has also has had many opportunities to represent the foundation in our partnerships with other organizations.
Dr. Meine is the founder of Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance;
Mike Mossman
Mr. Mossman had a decades-long career as an ornithologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. His 1999 survey of grassland birds at Badger is a landmark, not just as a work of science, but as the starting point for the prairie preservation movement underway today. He and his wife, Lisa Hartmann, were among the founders of the Badger History Group and he was the first president.
Driving Directions
GPS 7560 US Hwy 12, North Freedom, WI 53951
Start Your Trip: To begin your trip from Madison, take US Hwy 12 from Madison north towards Baraboo. Between Sauk City and Baraboo, you will see the main entrance to the Badger Army Ammunitions Plant property on the right side of the road, opposite a gas station on the left side. Enter through the main gate and park near the museum. GPS 7560 US Hwy 12, North Freedom, WI 53951.
Parking and Boarding the Bus
We will meet at the Badger History Museum, located inside the main gate. There is plenty of parking for at least 50 cars. If folks want to get there early, the Museum will be open around 9 am.
Bus Loading at 9:50 am: The school bus will be parked alongside the Museum of Badger History,. If you get there before 9:50 am, you might want to spend some time in the Museum, which opens at 9 am. I will come into the Museum to announce that the bus is ready for passengers.
Bathrooms
The Museum has the only toilet facility at Badger; once we're on the road, there isn't much other than bushes! The bus will meet us on the entrance road adjacent to the parking area by the Museum. The bus will depart from the Museum at 10am.
Bring Your Own Sack Lunch
Light Snack and Water Provided
We will provide water with cups and small snacks. Please bring a snack or sack lunch. We will be on the property from 10 am to roughly 1:15 pm.
Accesssibility
Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area: Most of our time in the SRA will be spent on the school bus. We will have about 30 people on a 40+ person bus. There should be extra room for lunch and backpack storage. You must be able to climb steps to board and exit the school bus.
We will walk on the newest section of the Wisconsin State Trail, which is a wide path with a asphalt surface on a railbed. The walk should pose few obstacles or challenges.
Ho-Chunk Nation Parcel: Most of our time on the Ho-Chunk property will be spent on the school bus. We will walk on a cleared and mowed path suitable for hiking. The walk should pose few obstacles or challenges.
Miscellaneous
Non-Member Policy: Members must register their guests. Each PLATO member is entitled to bring one non-member guest per bus trip. Members may bring more than one guest near the registration deadline date if seats are available. Check with trip organizer.
