By Fred Strand, Department of Natural Resources

Is it the Bird Sanctuary, the grouse area, or the Douglas County Wildlife Area?

Most people know it by or call it the Bird Sanctuary. So what is the origin and history of the various names for the area?

I found some of the answers to these questions in old files and memos in my office. Other answers and history awaits further investigation.

I’ve wondered: What did the use of the word ‘Sanctuary’ in the name mean? An area set aside for or dedicated to birds and their habitat? Or an area where birds were protected…where hunting was not allowed? In 1935 Douglas County dedicated the ‘Bird Sanctuary’ and Club House. In 1948 the Wisconsin Conservation Commission ordered closing of the leased lands and surrounding area (5440 acres) to all hunting and trapping except for deer hunting. This closure was apparently lifted in about 1954. Hence, use of the word Sanctuary appears to historically refer primarily to an area dedicated to birds and management of habitat for birds.

In a 1953 memo A. E. Smith, who was a game manager for the Wisconsin Conservation Department, gave his recommendation for a name of the area. Names that Mr. Smith considered were: St. Croix Conservation Area, Douglas County Bird Sanctuary, Douglas County Conservation Area, and Douglas County Grouse Area. Mr. Smith states that “it has been known as the Douglas County Bird Sanctuary or the Douglas County Grouse Area for so long that the use of Douglas County with the name has been accepted.”

Smith recommended the name Douglas County Conservation Area. However several other memos during this time period refer to it as the Douglas County Grouse Area.

In a 1970 memo and in the 1985 Master Plan for the property the name is Douglas County Wildlife Area. In 2003 in negotiating a new land lease with Douglas County the Department of Natural Resources calls it the Douglas County Wildlife Management Area.

Whatever you know it by or choose to call it, it is truly a special place for wildlife and for humans.