Living
Al Brown | Tracking the Seasons
Don't know what you've got …
Back in 1970 when Joni Mitchell first penned the words to "Big Yellow Taxi," she couldn't possibly have known just how prophetic they would become.
Scribbled and stroked in many forms throughout the world, The words "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone" seem to mean even more today as we watch farm fields turn into parking lots.
That brings us to saving for future generations, the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) at Poynette, Wis.
An educational treasure trove for youths and adults, MEEC is 25 miles north of Madison on Highway Q and CS between Highways 51 and 22.
Spread over 250 acres of beautiful state-owned real estate in Columbia County and run by the Department of Natural Resources, it was on the verge of being shut down by a sagging economy.
But hindsight is 20-20, and Mitchell's words almost rang true.
But thanks to the foresight and perseverance of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) in recognizing the value and importance of what might be lost forever, a unique partnership was formed in 2006 among the WWF, the DNR and the Friends of MacKenzie.
"The MacKenzie Center is once again alive and growing," said Jack Nissen of Dousman, president of WWF.
"The lodge and the dorms need some upgrading," Nissen said as we did a walk-through of the buildings recently with George Meyer, executive director of WWF and John Wagner of Oconomowoc, WWF District 8 director.
On that particular day, a contingent of visiting Boy Scouts and their leaders were busying themselves in the spacious main lodge, which also houses classrooms, staff offices and a large kitchen.
All manner of wildlife exhibits adorn the walls and hang from the ceilings, a testament to what the center is all about.
Outside and well away from the buildings is the living zoo, where wildlife - whitetail deer, wolves, coyotes, a cougar, bobcats, lynx, turkey vultures, eagles and porcupines prowls in a natural setting for all to see.
"We've still got about 6 1/2 years left on our 10-year agreement with the DNR to run this facility," Nissen told me, adding "There's a lot we want to do here yet. Hopefully we'll get a few strong donations before our agreement ends."
Much of the work at the center is done by volunteers like the Friends of MacKenzie, and some is provided by the DNR. The executive director, lead educator and educator/wildlife technician are paid employees of WWF. Besides the payroll, maintenance and operating costs are covered by WWF.
According to Nissen, the MEEC is known as a premier spot in south-central Wisconsin to experience the outdoors and environmental education programming. Attendance by both youth and adults, which was 6,300 in 2007, is expected to climb above 11,000 in 2010.
Programs at the center range from self-guided day trips to overnight or summer camp programs led by MEEC staff.
Because the center is not a park, there are no entry fees or day stickers required.
When in season, self-guided activities at the center include trail hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing on ungroomed trails, picnicking, touring the wildlife exhibits and visiting the museums and lodge.
According to Meyer, who is also a former DNR secretary, the WWF is an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, made up of hunters, anglers, trappers and others who are actively engaged in the outdoors.
As such, Meyer said the WWF has a dual mission to engage in conservation education and to advocate for sound conservation policy, which includes granting scholarships for future resource professionals at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as well as its current challenge of operating and up-grading some of the buildings at the Center.
A nonprofit organization, funding for these and other programs is membership and donation supported.
As part of the WWF's annual fundraising program, the Lakeview Rod and Gun Club will host the WWF 2010 Annual Banquet on Friday, March 26, at Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc.
The deadline for purchasing tickets is March 16. No tickets will be sold at the door, and the banquet is limited to 300.
For more banquet information or to order tickets, call Nissen at (262) 719-5295.
To learn more about the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center, call (608) 635-8105.
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