1,461-acre parcel in county returns to wetland with official dedication

By Margaret Krueger of the Daily Times staff
Friday, June 15, 2007 1:13 PM CDT

Birding tours of Zeloski Marsh were offered by birding experts following the dedication of Zeloski Marsh Thursday morning. An increasing number of birds have been spotted migrating or nesting in the marsh since the former farmland was restored as wetland. Bird watchers spotted Brewer blackbirds, which are rare in Wisconsin. The guide for the tour was Andy Paulios, state Department of Natural Resources coordinator of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative. (MARGARET KRUEGER/Daily Times)

TOWN LAKE MILLS - Approximately 220 people enjoyed a sunny, warm day at Zeloski Marsh Thursday morning when members of various federal, state and local organizations, volunteers and other individuals gathered off the London Road entrance for the official dedication of the 1,461-acre parcel which has been returned to wetland.

The dedication included displays by various environmental organizations, speeches by officials, representatives of several organizations and the former landowner, and birding and restoration tours of the marsh.

A lunch featuring buffalo burgers and chicken breasts was served by members of the Lake Mills Main Street Program.

The Zeloski Marsh unit of the Lake Mills Wildlife Area began as a collaborative effort of the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Madison Audubon Society. Through the USDA's Wetlands Reserve Program, nearly 1,500 acres of drained farmland was restored to wetland, forming the core of the Lake Mills Wildlife Area, now owned and operated by the Wisconsin DNR. The Madison Audubon Society purchased the property through grants from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program which also assisted with restoration efforts.

Speaker and moderator Peter Cannon, program chairman of the Madison Audubon Society, said the marsh was an outstanding example of federal, state and other organizations and individuals coming together to restore the area back to wetland and a crucial habitat for migrating and nesting birds. The Madison Audubon Society purchased the property about three years ago from the Zeloski family and later turned the area over to the DNR.

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Caroline Clarin, agricultural engineer with the NCRS, said the marsh will have water year-round with the help of an artisan well and a natural spring. Following her remarks, she was presented with an award from fellow employees for her work in restoring the marsh.

DNR Executive Assistant Randy Romanski was one of the many speakers who thanked all those involved with the project, including the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative which is working to prevent bird species from becoming endangered. He noted the Glacial Drumlin Bike Trail, which runs through part of the property, provides an excellent opportunity for biking and birding. He added the marsh is at the heart of the Glacial Heritage area connecting Greenland to neighboring communities.

Johanna Herfel, president of the Madison Audubon Society, said bird numbers at the marsh are growing, with over 148 species spotted.

Former property owner Dennis Zeloski, of the town of Lake Mills, said plans began in 1999 to transfer the former Zeloski Muck Farms from private to public ownership. His father, Felix, raised his first crops on the property back in 1946 after draining an area of the Koshkonong Creek. Crops included potatoes, mint, carrots, onions, soybeans and corn. He said concerns affecting his decision to sell the land included government regulations and urbanization of the area, causing more runoff and flooding, his age and lower profit margin.

Ed Grunden, director of citizen monitoring for the Rock River Coalition, said the coalition hired a monitor for the marsh three years ago to begin volunteer surveys of a complete assortment of species. He called this the “birth year” of the restoration which is ongoing with the help of volunteers.

Other speakers included Pat Leavenworth, NCRS state conservationist; Kim Cates from the office of Sen. Herb Kohl; Sharon Schmeling, chairwoman of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors; Tom Davies, DNR natural resources educator; and state Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson.

Within the Zeloski Marsh, 15 management units are named after individuals noted for their environmental contributions, and all of those individuals and family members were honored at the dedication.

Major wetland construction was done from July 6 to Sept. 5, 2006. Efforts included planting 286 acres of prairie and 270 acres of sedge meadow, development of 112 acres of emergent wetland habitat and restoration of 64 acres of shoreland bird habitat.