1000 Islands Conservancy Zone was established in 1969, by the Common Council of the City of Kaukauna. The purpose of this Conservancy Zone is to preserve the land in a natural state for the benefit of all citizens, with the idea of teaching good conservation practices and preservation of natural resources. The Conservancy Zone now encompasses 350 acres.
In 1976 the initial building was dedicated as a Bicentennial remembrance established by the City. Building was added to in stages up through 2001.
The naturalist was hired in 1978.
The Environmental Center is administered by the 1000 Islands Environmental Center Committee – consists of 9 Kaukauna citizens appointed by the Mayor and Common Council.
The Center is staffed by the Naturalist and a part-time Administrative Assistant. They are aided by many volunteers. In 1997 the volunteers worked 3,500 hours. The core of the volunteer group comes from the Friends of the 1000 Islands, a support group whose primary goal is to provide assistance and funding for special projects and items necessary for the efficient operation of the Center. Being a Friend makes you a part of the Center’s efforts to preserve this part of our natural heritage.
Original funding was through donations from private citizens, businesses and organizations, and the City of Kaukauna.
The Center is now funded through the Kaukauna School District, City and Outagamie County. Also much support comes from the Friends of the Center, private donors and local industry. Thilmany has been a large donor and supports the Center in many ways, including our recycling program. All building additions were funded through donations from both public and private sector through fund drives, grants, bequests, and memorials. Endowment program was started in 1983 with a bequest of $25,000 from former teacher Evelyn Handran.
Other donations include bread for birds, corn, birdseed and all kinds of food for Animals and birds. Donations of furniture and fixtures to complete finishing of rooms and buildings. Donations of materials, trees and plants to renew tree areas, wild flowers, etc. Donations of labor for building, maintenance and general upkeep and control of buildings and property.
Major mounted animal collections are donations of Joe Van Daalwyk – North American and Asian/African mounts including many full mounts of species. Other collections that have been added to our collection are donations of Asian/African and North American mounts from John Barlow and Bob Juneau. Collections are housed in the two last major building additions. All displays are of museum quality. Also, displays of arrowhead collections found along the Fox River.
Live bird displays include, talking parrot, crow, zebra finches, and cockatiel, -also live animals and fish: chinchilla, turtle, snakes and hedgehog.
The conservancy zone now has 7.2 miles of trails. One mile of trail along the river. It also has 2000 feet of barrier free boardwalk. The hiking trails along the river have benches with wonderful views to enjoy as you rest and relax. Cross country ski trails are in the upper woods of the conservancy and provide recreation for hundreds of skiers each winter. While walking, you may see eagles, deer and a great variety of waterfowl and many birds of all kinds.
The number of visitors at the Center have gone from less than 10,000 in 1978 to the present count of 55,000 to 60,000 visitors each year. 18,000 school children make this their field trip each year. Programs for school groups led by the Naturalist consist of Sugar Bush – making maple syrup: paper making program, Earth week activities, spring wildflower hikes, birding hikes, eagle viewing, and fall hikes in lower and upper woods. Scouts, senior citizen groups and general public can enjoy any of these programs and more. Canoe launch aids canoeing along the lower Fox.
Summer programs are organized for children of all ages, hikes, picnics, and birdhouse building, fishing, crawfish and critter hunts, fishing contest with trophies and a luncheon banquet. Hunter safety courses are run twice a year. Winter snow offers snowshoeing for all ages.
The Friends of the 1000 Islands sponsor an Art Fair each May and many other fund raising programs to aid the programs at the Center.
Coming projects and additions will be a 4,000 ft. blacktop trail which will make the wooded area more accessible to all, an observation deck for eagle watching and more land as it becomes available.
The 1000 Islands Environmental Center provides the public a place to enjoy our natural resources. Recreation is provided by the many miles of trails which can be used for hiking, X-country skiing and snowshoeing. Year-round educational programs teach children and adults the importance of the interrelationships between them and our natural environment.
Overall, the Center enhances the quality of life for everyone who visits us.
9/25/1995
