WHO WE ARE
Photo: Becky Martin
The Aldo Leopold Audubon Society (ALAS) serves Central Wisconsin including Portage, Wood, Marathon and Waupaca counties. Our goals include environmental advocacy, conservation and habitat restoration, science-based environmental education, membership recruitment and support and outreach to the wider community, fundraising, and supporting the National Audubon mission and programs.
As a chapter of the National Audubon Society, our mission is to foster appreciation and concern for all living things, and to protect and preserve their ecosystems. The national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.
Monthly programs and field trips are free and open to the public. Programs and field trips feature conservation experts from throughout Wisconsin, examination of current environmental issues impacting Wisconsin and local communities, and tours of unique natural and cultural sites and phenomena. Monthly programs are recorded and available on YouTube.
An annual grant program provides small grants for environmental education programs and projects in Portage, Wood, Marathon and Waupaca counties.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALAS is run by a voluntary board of directors. We believe strongly that our board should reflect our membership and its interests. We normally have 12-15 members on our board. The board meets the second Wednesday of the month (September through May) at 7:00-8:30 pm. We do not meet during the summer.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We invite you to consider joining our ALAS team. Attend a presentation, volunteer for one of our work days, or be a behind-the-scene board member. Our annual and long range goals will be reached through your guidance and assistance. Join our team and become a member of ALAS.
Fall Family Festival at Mead Wildlife Refuge: Co-sponsored by ALAS and the Friends of the Mead/McMillan Assn., and held every September at the Mead Wildlife Area and Visitor Center (Milladore), volunteers help to facilitate youth and family crafts and educational activities held indoors and outside.
Bird Feed Sale Fundraiser: Held annually in October, volunteers work the sales table, work on the truck lifting the bags of seeds and carrying them to our customers’ cars.
Christmas Bird Count: Calling all birders to the traditional and ever-popular early winter event, the annual Christmas Bird Count held on Saturday, December 14, 2024. ALAS coordinates both the Amherst and Stevens Point area counts. Birders meet at 7AM to join teams assigned to census wintering birds in our area. Each count is a 15 mile-diameter circle within which birders record every bird seen or heard during one 24-hour period. Teams are assigned to specific sectors to hike woods and fields, canvass city parks and rural farmyards, tramp river bottoms, and drive country roads for the greatest coverage possible. In addition to gathering important information about birds in winter, the CBC offers the fun and fellowship of a day in the field with like-minded companions.
Special Events: Watch our calendar for native seed collection or planting, invasive species removal, work days.
Field Trip Leaders: Experienced birders lead our monthly field trips to local bird areas and provide information on bird identification, field markings, natural history and conservation.
Writers: Share an article for the ALAS newsletter about your favorite place to go bird-watching, your favorite bird, or local environmental issue.
ALAS $ At WORK
The money we raise through our programming and membership fees helps to fund projects to build up our community atmosphere.
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Schmeeckle Reserve Amphitheater, outdoor birding area, UW-Stevens Point
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Red-shouldered Hawk telemetry and Saw-whet Owl banding with Raptor Services LLC, located at Linwood Springs Research Station
CHAPTER PROJECTS
Erickson Natural Area, located on McDill Pond adjacent to Koziczkowski Park in Stevens Point
Bird City Wisconsin designation for Stevens Point
Friday Wievel Memorial Scholarship awards $500 scholarships to two students studying at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point each year
WORK WE DO
GRANT PROGRAM
Your local Audubon Society is providing grants of up to $500! The grants are available to be used for environmental education programs and restoration projects in the Central Wisconsin Region including Portage, Wood, Marathon and Waupaca counties.
Grant proposals will be evaluated by the ALAS Board of directors. All grants submitted will be considered based on the merit of the proposal. Grants will be considered throughout our fiscal year. As funds are limited however, proposals will be considered on a first come, first served basis.
Please send a 1-2 page letter describing your project or program. Explain how the goals of your project address Audubon’s mission and focus. Identify your audience and the approximate number of people your project will get impact. Projects will need to be completed within a year’s time. Include a date for when funds will be needed and a budget.
Each awarded grantee will be required to submit a final project summary report to ALAS approximately one year after the grant is awarded in order to be considered for future grants. Please include at least 2 photos that document your project.
Grant requests can be sent to:
Aldo Leopold Audubon Society
P.O. Box 928
Stevens Point, WI 54481
or Email: aldo.leopold.audubon@gmail.com
Erickson Natural Area
Erickson Natural Area
Erickson Natural Area
Erickson Natural Area
Erickson Natural Area
The Erickson Natural Area is located on McDill Pond adjacent to Koziczkowski Park. 15 acres of prime habitat lie in the Stevens Point area. This park is home to dozens of migrating species and confirmed nesting area of 33 bird species including an Osprey. It has also been found to be an important "rest area" for many species of neotropical migratory birds like the Scarlet Tanager and Baltimore Oriole.
ALAS was instrumental in preserving a 5.5 acre site adjacent to Kozcizkowski Park, owned by the City of Stevens Point. In less than a year, Audubon and friends raised $308,000 for purchase of what is now the Godfrey & Maybelle Erickson Natural Area. ALAS members alone contributed $32,000, the Erickson's contributed $60,000, the City of Stevens Point contributed $75,710 and the WI DNR contributed $140,500 through the Urban Space Program.
Here are some notable accomplishments:
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2011 - Two Leopold Benches were added (one recently updated) and invasive species removal took place removing black locust and tartarian honeysuckle.
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2014 - A pier was added
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2019 - Working in partnership with the City of Stevens Point-Forestry Department and with funds from the American Transmission Company, native plants are being planted and native habitat is planted to increase the biodiversity of this special area.
ALAS has also added an educational kiosk, two boardwalks, and an entryway sign.
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusivity
The Aldo Leopold Audubon Society (ALAS) shall commit to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience in our programs, activities, and outreach.
The Aldo Leopold Audubon Society is committed to creating an atmosphere that reduces the impact of racism, and systemic inequities in our community. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our board, volunteers, members, and supporters, and fostering an inclusive network. Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives will harness the greatest passion to shape a healthier, more vibrant future for all who share our planet.
Furthermore, it will consciously strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where all people are invited to safe and rewarding experiences. It will provide activities that educate people about the effects of environmental degradation and introduce them to positive experiences in nature. Protecting and conserving nature and the environment transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries.
You will be hearing about and seeing changes in the future as we back our policy with actions that demonstrate our commitment. If you as a member would like to contribute to this process, we would like to hear from you! You can contact a board member or email us at AldoLeopoldAudubon@gmail.com.
