Edited by Paul Holtan
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707
(608) 267-7517
Fax: (608) 264-6293
E-mail address: paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov

State’s largest wildlife area hosts wildlife festival Oct. 7

MADISON – Fall colors and migrating waterfowl will be the viewable celebrities at the Oct. 7, Crex Meadows Wildlife Festival.

At 30,000 acres, Crex is the largest state-owned wildlife area in Wisconsin. This intensive property is home to 270 species of birds, nearly every mammal found in Wisconsin, and 600 species of plants. Wildlife is especially abundant and visible during the fall migration when as many as 50 bald eagles, 7,000 sandhill cranes, 12,000 Canada and snow geese, and thousands of ducks are present.

From Grantsburg on Highway 70, follow the yellow geese painted on the streets of Grantsburg to the Education Center. Visit the Friends of Crex Web site at [www.crexmeadows.org] (exit) and the Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area page of the DNR Web site which includes a map.

The festival, hosted by the Friends of Crex and the Department of Natural Resources, is an excellent opportunity to see literally thousands of ducks, geese and trumpeter swans. There will be free guided 90-minutes bus tours of the property leaving from the Education Center at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. There also is a special three-hour tour and a one-hour sunrise tour for sandhill crane viewing leaving at 7 a.m., again leaving from the Education Center.

Other events, programs and demonstrations held throughout the day include: edible wild plants; outdoor skills; introduction to geocaching; wild ricing demonstration; wildlife ecology and habitat management and the wildlife activities room.

The Friends group will also sell brats, burgers and snacks throughout the day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area - (715) 463-2896