The Blue Mounds Area Project

Our Mission:

The Blue Mounds Area Project is a community-based organization that seeks to inspire, inform and empower private landowners in the Southwestern Wisconsin region to enjoy, protect and restore native biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Our Objectives:

• Promote understanding, appreciation and conservation of native woodlands, prairies, wetlands and savannas and their special species in an economically viable manner, through community outreach programs and private contacts.
• Act as a clearing house for information from people and organizations involved in preserving native biodiversity including information about plant animal and habitat identification, management, restoration, seed sources, native plant nurseries and invasive, non-native species.
• Encourage cooperative, volunteer restoration and management activities.
• Identify public and private land use changes that may affect ecosystem health and promote community-based stewardship of the unique natural heritage of the Blue Mounds and the Southwestern region of Wisconsin.

What We Do:

• We assist landowners with managing their properties for native species. Since 1996, the Project has helped over 130 landowners on 13,700 acres in Southwest Wisconsin. 16 plant species and 5 bird species state listed as endangered, threatened or special concern are being protected by the work of the Project, along with native prairies, wetlands and oak savannas.

• We give advice on controlling invasive species — how to deal with garlic mustard, buckthorn, honeysuckle, wild parsnip, Canada goldenrod, and others.
• We hold community workshops for landowners to learn more about their land. Here is a list of some of our past programs:
  • Controlling Invasive Species
  • Managing Woodlands in Southwestern Wisconsin
  • Reptiles and Amphibians of Wisconsin
  • Prairie Restoration: How to Get Started
  • Butterflies of Southern Wisconsin Prairies and Savannas
  • The Southwestern Wisconsin Landscape Through Time
  • Cost-sharing Programs for Restoration on Your Land
  • Grassland Birds of Southwest Wisconsin
  • The Scientific Basis For Oak Savanna Restoration
• Our quarterly newsletter is sent to more than 600 area people and organizations interested in the same things you are.
• We have established a Blue Mounds Project Library (a shelf at the prairie Bookshop) in Mount Horeb. Check it out for “top shelf” information on ecology and restoration.

For further information, please contact us at info at info@bluemounds.org