ABOUT

1000 Islands Conservancy Zone was established in 1969, by the City’s Common Council. The purpose of the 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. The building was added on to in stages up through 2001.

The Environmental Center is administered by the 1000 Islands Environmental Center Committee – consists of 10-Kaukauna citizens appointed by the Mayor and Common Council.

The Center is staffed by a full-time Director/Naturalist and part-time Assistant Naturalist, Site Manager, and Administrative Assistant. They are aided by many volunteers. The volunteers work over 3,500 hours per year. 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 Nature Center. Being a Friend makes you a part of the Center’s efforts to preserve this part of our natural heritage.

The Nature Center is now funded through the Kaukauna Area School District, the City of Kaukauna, and Outagamie County. Also, much support comes from the Friends of the Center, private donors, and local industry. All building additions were funded through donations from both public and private sectors through fund drives, grants, bequests, and memorials. The Endowment program was started in 1983 with a bequest of $25,000 from former teacher Ethelyn A. Handran.

At one time the Nature Center had a North American and Asian/African mounted animal collection from the family of Joe Van Daalwyk. Other collections from John Barlow and Bob Juneau were added. Some of these mounts are still housed at 1000 Islands and a variety of native animals to Wisconsin and a large display of arrowheads collected along the Fox River are also on display. Live animals in the Nature Center include our talking parrot, Jabber, a variety of fish, a tarantula, turtles, and a snake.

The conservancy zone now has over 7 miles of trails including 2,000 feet of barrier-free boardwalk. The hiking trail along the Fox River have benches with wonderful views to enjoy as you rest and relax. Snowshoeing trails are in the upper woods of the conservancy zone and provide recreation for hundreds 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 has gone from less than 10,000 in 1978 to more than 60,000 visitors each year. 18,000 school children make this their field trip each year. Programs for school groups led by our Naturalist includes making maple syrup, a 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 the general public can enjoy any of these programs. Our Canoe Launch aids canoeing along the lower Fox River.

Summer programs are organized for children of all ages and include hikes, bird feeder and birdhouse building, survival camps, fishing, and crayfishing. Winter snow offers snowshoeing for all ages.

The Friends of the 1000 Islands sponsor an Art Fair each May and other fundraising programs to aid the Nature Center.