Crex Meadows Wildlife Festival features guided bus tours, wildlife programs, Wetlands Gems dedication
News Release Published: September 24, 2009 by the Northern Region
Contact(s): Jim Hoefler (715) 463-CREX (2739)
GRANTSBURG - Viewing tours and programs on Wisconsin wildlife highlight the 27th annual Wildlife Festival at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area Sunday, Oct. 4 starting at 7 am. The event is free and open to the public.
Crex Meadows, a 30,000 acre wildlife area, north of Grantsburg, is managed for prairie and wetland wildlife. The open house coincides with the peak of fall migration when thousands of sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, ducks, and geese are in the area. Eagles, hawks, deer, and many other kinds of wildlife will also be seen.
“All who come have an opportunity to learn about this unique prairie-wetland environment,” says Jim Hoefler, the area’s interpretive wildlife biologist, “and the vistas afforded by the vast wetlands and prairies, provide excellent wildlife viewing.” He encourages outdoor enthusiasts to grab family and friends, cameras and binoculars, and to join in on the event.
Activities take place at the facilities Wildlife Education and Visitor Center east of the intersection of County Roads “D” and “F”. From the stoplights on Highway 70 in Grantsburg, follow the geese painted on the road to the entrance of the center.
A variety of programs and demonstrations will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include; wild edible plants, wildlife games, wild mushrooms, prairie plant identification, “Wolves: the Crex Pack”, Wildflowers of Crex”, “Wetland Wonderlands”, featuring live birds and other critters, and at 4 p.m. a “Wetland Gems” dedication ceremony by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association.
Visitors are encouraged to take a guided bus tour of Crex Meadows. The day begins at 7 a.m. with a one hour, sunrise tour for sandhill crane viewing, followed at 10 a.m. three hour tour that includes short walks and discussions on the operations of Crex Meadows.
General bus tours, lasting ninety minutes, are scheduled for 11 a.m., 1, 3, and 5. Tour participants can expect to see many kinds of birds and other wildlife.
Friends of Crex will provide food and refreshments while The Bog Shoe store offers a wide assortment of wildlife related books, gifts, and souvenirs.
For more information, contact:
Jim Hoefler
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area
Grantsburg, WI 54840
(715) 463-CREX (2739)
website: Crex Meadows Wildlife Area
Jim Bishop
Public Information Officer
Northern Region Headquaters
(715) 635-4242
