Earth Day History
Earth Day celebrated its 40th anniversary last week with environment-based events held nationwide. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson is often credited with spearheading the involvement of millions of Americans in conservation and environmental protection. Other important factors include:
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress, an organization founded by Aldo Leopold and other outdoor enthusiasts, has been a leader in conservation and environmental protection for more than 75 years.
The Robertson Pittman Act, passed in 1937, initiated a 10 percent excise tax on hunting gear, the proceeds from which has allowed the purchase of millions of acres for National Wildlife Refuges.
The Dingell-Johnson Act (1950) extended the excise tax to all fishing gear, leading to millions more invested in wildlife habitat.
Various sportsmen's organizations contribute countless volunteer hours to education and habitat improvement and raise millions of dollars used to protect our natural resources.
WOODFORD - In its infant stages more than 20 years ago, the annual Earth Day event for fifth-grade students from Lafayette County schools was held at different venues each year.
That was before a group of dedicated Woodford-area residents spent several years restoring Blackhawk Memorial Park, now one of the most stunningly-beautiful natural areas of southwestern Wisconsin. Currently, volunteers spend approximately 30 hours a week maintaining the site, according to Friends of Woodford Park member Chuck Wiegel.
Last week, the Friends group once again hosted the Earth Day event. More than 240 students visited the site where area sportsmen's groups, Department of Natural Resources staff and various Lafayette County conservation specialists offered their expertise to enlighten, entertain and educate the students.
Gayle Gronkin of Pecatonica Area Schools said they have been bringing students here for many years. "When we sat down to decide which field trips to keep and which ones to give up, we were told this was the one to keep."
She looked on approvingly as small groups of students splashed up to their elbows in pans of muddy water, searching for creepy, crawly critters that would reveal the health of the waterway they inhabit.
Roger Lange, Conservation Program specialist from the Lafayette County Land Conservation Department, explained how certain tiny aquatic macro-invertebrates can only survive in unpolluted water.
"The health of the stream can be determined by what aquatics you find," he said.
At the next station, Fish Biologist Bradd Sims moves nimbly about among an impressive display of mounted fish inhabiting Wisconsin's streams, rivers and lakes, many of which can be found in area waters.
Students stare in awe as Sims hoists an enormous flathead catfish, noting that the fish can grow up to 40 inches and weigh 40 pounds or more. He contrasts the shovel-nose sturgeon from its short-nose cousin, and notes that northern pike are reproducing in the east branch of the Pecatonica River.
Geography enters in as Sims traces the route the Pecatonica takes on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. The river winds back to the east, he notes, where it empties into the Rock River, then to the Mississippi.
At the next station, Brenda Syvrud of the Fayette Sportsman's Club and a hunter safety instructor, coaches students on the safe handling of firearms at the BB gun range.
While Adriana Andrade of Darlington was a first time shooter, Ethan Pederson hit the target (a paper plate) in all five of his attempts.
"I just got a new BB gun," he said confidently. "I shoot every day."
Paul Bredeson, also from the Fayette group, says safety is the top priority at the BB gun event.
"We not only have to show them how to shoot, but how to do it safely," he advised.
At the archery station, members of the Shullsburg Conservation Club instructed on the safe use of a bow and arrow. Here, the target is a balloon which makes for a tough shot, but after a couple of tries, several youngsters get the hang of it and come close to a bulls-eye.
Forester Matt Singer and Conservation Technician Al Brandt discuss the importance of trees to both wildlife habitat and the production of timber products. Students were assigned a tree with the task of determining whether it should be removed or left to grow to maturity.
"If there is one thing I want people to know it's that cutting down a diseased, misshapen or crowded tree is okay," Singer said. By choosing to keep one tree over another we create a healthier forest for both trees and wildlife, he added.
Dave Breunig, Darlington Mayor and Fayette Sportsman's Club member summarized the point of the Earth Day event.
"It's to help educate about the importance of the environment, including the management of certain species of game," he emphasized. "It's part of their education, and we're glad to give them a hand."
- Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
That was before a group of dedicated Woodford-area residents spent several years restoring Blackhawk Memorial Park, now one of the most stunningly-beautiful natural areas of southwestern Wisconsin. Currently, volunteers spend approximately 30 hours a week maintaining the site, according to Friends of Woodford Park member Chuck Wiegel.
Last week, the Friends group once again hosted the Earth Day event. More than 240 students visited the site where area sportsmen's groups, Department of Natural Resources staff and various Lafayette County conservation specialists offered their expertise to enlighten, entertain and educate the students.
Gayle Gronkin of Pecatonica Area Schools said they have been bringing students here for many years. "When we sat down to decide which field trips to keep and which ones to give up, we were told this was the one to keep."
She looked on approvingly as small groups of students splashed up to their elbows in pans of muddy water, searching for creepy, crawly critters that would reveal the health of the waterway they inhabit.
Roger Lange, Conservation Program specialist from the Lafayette County Land Conservation Department, explained how certain tiny aquatic macro-invertebrates can only survive in unpolluted water.
"The health of the stream can be determined by what aquatics you find," he said.
At the next station, Fish Biologist Bradd Sims moves nimbly about among an impressive display of mounted fish inhabiting Wisconsin's streams, rivers and lakes, many of which can be found in area waters.
Students stare in awe as Sims hoists an enormous flathead catfish, noting that the fish can grow up to 40 inches and weigh 40 pounds or more. He contrasts the shovel-nose sturgeon from its short-nose cousin, and notes that northern pike are reproducing in the east branch of the Pecatonica River.
Geography enters in as Sims traces the route the Pecatonica takes on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. The river winds back to the east, he notes, where it empties into the Rock River, then to the Mississippi.
At the next station, Brenda Syvrud of the Fayette Sportsman's Club and a hunter safety instructor, coaches students on the safe handling of firearms at the BB gun range.
While Adriana Andrade of Darlington was a first time shooter, Ethan Pederson hit the target (a paper plate) in all five of his attempts.
"I just got a new BB gun," he said confidently. "I shoot every day."
Paul Bredeson, also from the Fayette group, says safety is the top priority at the BB gun event.
"We not only have to show them how to shoot, but how to do it safely," he advised.
At the archery station, members of the Shullsburg Conservation Club instructed on the safe use of a bow and arrow. Here, the target is a balloon which makes for a tough shot, but after a couple of tries, several youngsters get the hang of it and come close to a bulls-eye.
Forester Matt Singer and Conservation Technician Al Brandt discuss the importance of trees to both wildlife habitat and the production of timber products. Students were assigned a tree with the task of determining whether it should be removed or left to grow to maturity.
"If there is one thing I want people to know it's that cutting down a diseased, misshapen or crowded tree is okay," Singer said. By choosing to keep one tree over another we create a healthier forest for both trees and wildlife, he added.
Dave Breunig, Darlington Mayor and Fayette Sportsman's Club member summarized the point of the Earth Day event.
"It's to help educate about the importance of the environment, including the management of certain species of game," he emphasized. "It's part of their education, and we're glad to give them a hand."
- Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
