Wisconsin Important Bird Areas

Recent and Upcoming IBA Dedications!

Spread Eagle Barrens Overlook, Photo by Jeremy Holtz

Pictured here at the overlook are, from left to right:
WDNR Forester Stu Boren, We Energies Senior Ecologist emeritus
Noel Cutright, IBA Coordinator Yoyi Steele, Natural Resources
Foundation Executive Director Charlie Luthin, NRF member and
retired WDNR Endangered Resources Bureau Director Chuck Pils,
and WDNR Wildlife Biologist Jeremy Holtz. Photo credit: Jeremy Holtz

The count of official Wisconsin IBAs has reached 50 with the dedication of Spread Eagle Barrens in Florence County on June 2nd, 2007. The dedication was held after a presentation and tour of the barrens for Natural Resources Foundation (NRF) members led by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forester Stu Boren and Wildlife Biologist Jeremy Holtz. The dedication took place at an overlook offering scenic views of the barrens. Fieldtrip participants were joined at the overlook by two representatives of We Energies, Senior Ecologist emeritus Noel Cutright and Environmental Vice President Kristine Krause. We Energies owns a portion of Spread Eagle and recently made a 3-year pledge of financial support for management through NRF’s Adopt-a-State-Natural-Area Program. Everyone enjoyed refreshments after the brief dedication ceremony. A local newspaper photographer covered the event and the dedication received a nice write-up in the Florence Mining News.

A dedication ceremony is being planned for the St. Croix River IBA on Saturday, September 15, 2007, as part of an Open House and Field Day hosted by Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy. Contact IBA Coordinator Yoyi Steele at 608-266-8169 or yoyi.steele@wisconsin.gov for more information about this event.