Acquisitions & Property Management News

Doug Haag

This summer Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk will develop her budget recommendations for the year 2000. A major component of that package will be an increase in the annual appropriation to the Conservation Fund, which is the County's land preservation fund. The County Executive will be reacting to a clear message from the voters of Dane County. This past April the voters indicated overwhelming support for increasing the land acquisition budget by 30 million dollars over the next 10 years to help preserve approximately 9000 acres of land identified in the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan. Not only will this expanded program help Dane County, local governments and non-profit conservation organizations will also be eligible to utilize the funds for projects that fit the County's program.

In 1990 the County took its first big step toward identifying and preserving recreational, natural and cultural resources of regional significance. The result of those efforts has been the preservation of approximately 2,700 acres of land valued at over 12 million dollars. Ten years from now we will look back on this new 30 million dollar initiative and the accomplishments will be a better network of trails, greater access to our lakes, rivers and streams, improved surface and ground water quality, an economy that benefits from recreation and tourism, a rural landscape diverse with plant and animal communities, cultural resources that are preserved for future generations to study and enjoy and, I would guess, a greater quality of life for us all.

Tree Planting Marks Arbor Day

Three burr oaks were planted on the front lawn of the Dane County Human Services Building on

County Executive Kathleen commemorated Arbor Day with a tree planting.

 Northport Drive on April 30, Arbor Day. The tree planting was part of the Lakeview Woods Neighborhood Association's preservation and beautification of the property. County Executive Kathleen Falk participated and commented, "On behalf of Dane County's residents, thanks to the Tree Board, Park Commission, MG&E, and most of all, our great neighbors and volunteers in the Lakeview Woods Neighborhood Association for planting these beautiful trees. They'll add to the beauty and provide some much needed shade and habitat for the grounds at Northport. It's a great way to celebrate Arbor Day."

Holes for the trees were prepared by Dane County Parks staff under the supervision of Parks Forester Fred Paasch. The tree planting was sponsored by the Dane County Executive Office, MG&E, Dane County Tree Board, Dane County Park Commission and the Lakeview Woods Neighborhood Association.

Mayapple, Umbrella Plant, Hog apple
Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapples emerge in spring looking like tightly closed umbrellas which unfold into the green parasols little girls twirled above their heads with many airs and graces. The ripe lemon-yellow fruit appeals more to children than to certain adults who called it hog-apple, suggesting it was only fit for pigs and little boys. However, poet James Whitcomb Riley must have liked the flavor because he described the proper way to eat this exotic tasting fruit:

"And will any poet sing of a lusher, richer thing.

Than a ripe May apple, rolled like a pulpy lump of gold

Under thumb and finger tips; and poured through the lips?"

On the other hand, the unripe green fruit smells awful. An older volunteer associates the stink with his parents' first new car 60 years ago. An envious neighbor squashed unripe fruits on the radiator, and for months afterward, the hot radiator sent the disagreeable smell through the new car (not quite the "new car" smell they had hoped for).