spectr17
09-19-2001, 12:41 AM
September 16, 2001
Leopold home draws crowds
By Ann McBride, Baraboo (WI) News Republic
The executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation believes a greater awareness by the public that they can indeed tour the famous conservationist's "chicken coop" has added to the popularity of the annual treks.
"I think there's more interest and more awareness that this opportunity exists," said Buddy Huffaker, executive director of the Baraboo-based foundation.
About 20 people gathered Saturday alongside a roadside parking lot off of county Highway T to participate in the two-hour tour of Leopold's home-away-from-home.
Leopold, who taught wildlife management at the University of Wisconsin and lived in Madison, visited the Baraboo site on the weekends and, along with his family, worked to return it to its natural state.
The tours are conducted once a month from April through October.
The final tour of the season will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 20. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the foundation at 355-0279.
A limited number of staff members makes it impossible to conduct daily tours of the family farm and shack so they've opted for the monthly tours, which are coordinated by foundation volunteers, Huffaker said.
The tours not only benefit the participants, but the foundation as well.
"We do like to have people out so they have a better understanding of the property and how we're continuing an ethical relationship between people and land."
David Allen of Platteville brought along a group of five adults and two children to tour the property on Saturday. Allen, a science teacher, said he has always been interested in land issues.
"I think this is wonderful," he said, adding that the thoughts and ideas that Leopold expressed in the renowned "A Sand County Almanac" are just as relevant today.
In fact, Ann Zerkel, a professor with Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City, uses the almanac in her writing course.
Zerkel, who drove along with her husband four hours to take the tour, called Leopold an incredible essayist and said her students are equally impressed with this aspect of his personality as well as the message he espouses.
The Leopold farm is also a part of the Leopold Memorial Reserve, which is comprised of six land owners and encompasses 1,500 acres. The family farm is listed on the National Register of Historic of Historic Places.
Leopold home draws crowds
By Ann McBride, Baraboo (WI) News Republic
The executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation believes a greater awareness by the public that they can indeed tour the famous conservationist's "chicken coop" has added to the popularity of the annual treks.
"I think there's more interest and more awareness that this opportunity exists," said Buddy Huffaker, executive director of the Baraboo-based foundation.
About 20 people gathered Saturday alongside a roadside parking lot off of county Highway T to participate in the two-hour tour of Leopold's home-away-from-home.
Leopold, who taught wildlife management at the University of Wisconsin and lived in Madison, visited the Baraboo site on the weekends and, along with his family, worked to return it to its natural state.
The tours are conducted once a month from April through October.
The final tour of the season will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 20. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the foundation at 355-0279.
A limited number of staff members makes it impossible to conduct daily tours of the family farm and shack so they've opted for the monthly tours, which are coordinated by foundation volunteers, Huffaker said.
The tours not only benefit the participants, but the foundation as well.
"We do like to have people out so they have a better understanding of the property and how we're continuing an ethical relationship between people and land."
David Allen of Platteville brought along a group of five adults and two children to tour the property on Saturday. Allen, a science teacher, said he has always been interested in land issues.
"I think this is wonderful," he said, adding that the thoughts and ideas that Leopold expressed in the renowned "A Sand County Almanac" are just as relevant today.
In fact, Ann Zerkel, a professor with Kirkwood Community College in Iowa City, uses the almanac in her writing course.
Zerkel, who drove along with her husband four hours to take the tour, called Leopold an incredible essayist and said her students are equally impressed with this aspect of his personality as well as the message he espouses.
The Leopold farm is also a part of the Leopold Memorial Reserve, which is comprised of six land owners and encompasses 1,500 acres. The family farm is listed on the National Register of Historic of Historic Places.