Page 5 of 7

So, Who Are We, Anyway?
Ann Wick

If you've ever seen a blue truck at Walking Iron or Indian Lake, with the license plate "BLUEBD", then you've spotted Ann Wick. Ann maintains bluebird trails at those two parks, in addition to others at various rural cemeteries, farms and driveways. In all, she maintains about 170 bluebird houses.

Ann got started in about 1989-90, when a friend who had a bluebird house suggested that Ann's home had good bluebird habitat. Prior to that she had done some bird rehabilitation with Edna Koenig in Sauk City. Ann says she initially did everything wrong. A pair did nest, but the fledglings were attacked by house sparrows. She rescued two, found some one to rehabilitate them, but their beaks had been damaged in the attack and they ultimately didn't make it. Ann learned a couple of important lessons about bluebirding: have more boxes to maximize the chances that bluebirds will nest and fledge, do what you can to control house sparrows, and don't get emotionally involved with each loss.

Having done an enormous amount of reading and networking with other bluebird enthusiasts, Ann became interested in banding the birds in order to learn more. She now has a sub-bander's permit, working under Master Bander Dr. Tom Nichols of Minnesota. In 1996, 73 birds were banded. Three were recaptured this spring at Walking Iron Park, showing that some birds that fledged or bred there in the past have returned to their old neighborhood. Eventually the data collected will be written up.

Ann feels that with bluebird houses "You can have a direct effect on things". Indeed, she has fledged 1,537 bluebirds, as of the end of 1997. As in real estate, she says the most important factor is the location of the bluebird house. If you ever see the "BLUEBD" truck, stop and chat with Ann; her love for bluebirds is contagious, and her energy and sense of humor will make the experience a memorable one.

Acquisitions & Property Management News
Doug Haag

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk recently released "Design Dane", a new vision for managing Dane County's future growth. One component of that package is the need to increase land preservation efforts throughout the County. Over the past eight years the County has aggressively pursued its land acquisition goals, using a variety of real estate tools. This new vision will expand those efforts by bringing more partners into the program, raising the funding threshold and working closely with the private sector.

From my perspective, the cornerstone of this proposal is the initiative to increase funding levels. The County Executive has proposed asking the citizens of Dane County to support increasing funds spent on preserving our natural and cultural resources. This referendum may ask you how much the County should spend annually, how much you would be willing to contribute individually, and where the money should come from. Your answers to these questions will help shape an expanded land preservation program.

When you think about your answers to these questions, consider the role our parks and natural and cultural resources play in your lives. Ask yourself what makes Madison (and Dane County) one of the best places in the world to live? Why do you personally live here? What is the dollar value of a cold-water spring that contributes millions of gallons of fresh water annually to Lake Mendota, or a wetland complex that naturally purifies water before it enters our beautiful lakes, provides spawning habitat for fish, nesting habitat for waterfowl, a place for frogs to chirp and birds to sing. What is the dollar value of clean lakes, edible fish, oak woodlots and trout streams, and what can we afford to spend to keep them safe for future generations?

Booklovers, Turn in Your Receipts!

Canterbury Booksellers Supports the Adult Conservation Team

Canterbury Booksellers has a receipt-saving program that benefits local organizations, including the Adult Conservation Team. When you purchase books there, ask them to save the receipts in the "Dane County Parks Adult Conservation Team" envelope. When the totals of those receipts add up to $500, they will donate two rooms at the Canterbury Inn to the Adult Conservation Team (usually you just get one)! Each room in this delightful bed and breakfast above the bookstore is decorated in the Canterbury Tales theme, complete with an original mural.

These rooms will be auctioned off as a fundraiser to benefit the Adult Conservation Team. So, if you're going to purchase books, especially over the holidays, consider shopping at Canterbury and benefiting the Adult Conservation Team.

Canterbury Booksellers is located at 315 West Gorham, just West of State Street.

Page 5 of 7

[ Dane County Home Page ] [ Adult Conservation Team Home Page ] [ ACTION Newsletter ]