"To Preserve This Priceless Legacy"

The Friends of the Bird Sanctuary, Inc. (FOTBS) was formed to help protect and preserve the Douglas County Wildlife Management Area (DCWMA).  FOTBS is a volunteer-based organization that was created in September 2003. 

FOTBS is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.  All dues and donations are tax deductible.

In August 2003 when the DCWMA lease between Douglas County and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was being renegotiated for another 25 years, it became apparent that only a strong voice of stewardship and advocacy would ensure the continued preservation of this unique resource.

FOTBS is a chapter of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks  http://www.wistateparkfriends.org/  We operate in partnership (under a written Tri-Partnership Agreement) with the Wisconsin DNR and Douglas County.  Our group carries on the conservation tradition started by Field Trial associations in the 1920’s.

The unique Pine Barrens ecosystem, that includes the Bird Sanctuary, once covered 2.3 million acres of Wisconsin.  Today fewer than 40,000 acres remain, and 4,000 of these remaining acres are in the Bird Sanctuary. These open areas are home to Sharp-tailed Grouse along with a wide variety of wildlife and plants that can only survive in this type of habitat.

FOTBS Brochure

A Friends of the Bird Sanctuary brochure can be downloaded by clicking here (requires Acrobat Reader).  Since the time the brochure was printed, we have been assigned tax exempt status by the IRS so all dues and donations are now tax deductible.

Visiting

The Douglas County Wildlife Management Area is located in northwest Wisconsin 3 miles south of Solon Springs on Highway 53 (or 3 miles north of Gordon on Highway 53), west on County Road M about 3/4 mile, then northwest on Bird Road for about 3/4 mile; roadside parking.