Wildlife Projects


Bluebird House Sales
Western style bluebird houses are for sale by Golden Sands RC&D as part of an effort to sustain / increase nesting success. The houses are built by volunteers and marterial are supplied by Steinhaugen, Inc. The cost is $10.55, including sales tax, and can be ordered by calling (715) 343-6215. Click here to view our printer-friendly mail order form.

Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area Partnership
In early 2005, agriculture and conservation organizations, and private landowners formed the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area (CWGCA) Partnership. It aims to restore and create habitat for grassland species, especially the Greater Prairie Chicken. it also seeks to promote a healthy rural economy that provides the open landscape that so many grassland species depend on. The area that the partnership is working on lies in a "S" shape through 6 central Wisconsin counties: Taylor, Clark, Marathon, Portage, Wood, and Adams. If you would like more information on the CWGCA, Click here.

For information about the upcoming Prairie Chicken Festival, Click here.

Frog Educational Packets III-Now on DVD
Through a grant from the Townsend Foundation Golden Sands RC∓D has updated frog "ID and Vocalization" packets. These DVDs will be distributed to local schools and libraries. The packets are to be used by teachers to educate their students on the different species of frogs and toads in the area.

Bats as Integrated Pest Managers
In 1996, a group of concerned bat experts including, UW-Stevens Point Professors, Bat Conservation International, WI Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologists and Golden Sands RC&D set out to determine if big brown bats could be attracted to farms in large enough numbers to effectively feed on agricultural pests and reduce the need for chemical insect control, thereby reducing agricultural impacts on our water resources. Several study sites have been selected and numerous bat houses have been constructed to determine which styles, colors and locations are preferred by bats. Future work will involve finding out what, where and how much bats are eating in and around agricultural fields. Early indicators show a pregerence for large (20"x30" or larger) bat houses. Data is needed on bat diet and food preferences.

Purchase of No-Till Drill
Golden Sands RC&D is currently investigating funding sources which would be used to purchase a No-Till drill to be used by farmers in Marathon and adjoining counties to establish grasslands.



The Natural Heritage Inventory
The Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) is a program that collects data on Wisconsin's natural areas. The work done by the NHI helps to protect the unique flora and fauna of Wisconsin. This program is in partnership with other NHI programs across the country. For more information please visit, the program page.



Flushing Bar Project
Golden Sands RC&D is currently looking for funding to create or purchase a flushing bar. The flushing bar would be made available to farmers. Farmers would put these flushing bars on the front of their tractors when they are cutting a crop. The flushing bar would flush birds from in front of the machines. This would save ground nesting and grassland birds from being killed. If you would like more information on flushing bars please email or call Teal Fyksen, Grazing Specialist at Golden Sands.


Hamerstrom Reserve
Golden Sands RC&D will provide technical and financial assistance to the creators of the Hamerstrom Reserve by helping them find the resources necessary to preserve the Hammerstrom property and acheive the goals of the Hamerstrom Reserve.