Date: 1983-10-06
Speaker: GARY SOUCIE (democrat)
Chamber: S

Executive Editor. Audubon Magazine. New Yorki N.Y. DEAR MR. SOUCIV. Would you believe that In Green Bay. Wisconsin more people visit an urban wildlife center and feed the resident flock of Canada geese than go see the National Football League Green Bay Packers play football? With a population of less than 90.000. the people of Green Bay are successfully building an urban wildlife refuge that is unique in America. Our experience can be a model for other communities. both large and smtall. The private sector/government partnership we have established is building a program that educates the community to the value and beauty of wildlife around thecm while providing a home for those aninials that are displaced as people move in. Thats where we need your help. We believe that we have a good news story about how dedication and hard work. plus a strong bond between elected officials and the private sector have made our sanctuary come to life and grow. Not only do we have an excellent story to tell. but the time is right. What made us realize that we had something special was when we read the July. 1983. Audubon Magazines article entitled "Refuges on the Rocks." While the author. Jim Doherty. painfully pointed out how others. like the Tinicum National Environment Center in Philadelphia. have failed to achieve their goals. we at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary have been exceeding ours. Not only has the refuge grown In size. but supported by a volunteer. nonprofit organization. The Friends of the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. we are now on our way to constructing a 22.000 square foot educational center. The construction is totally supported by private contributions and the staffing provided by the local park district. When completed and operational. the center will teach our children and the community as a whole the importance of living in harmony with nature. We have already raised over one million dollars of our $1.500.000 goal. Here are just a few of the interesting and meaningful aspects of the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary that can make a story imbortant to your readers: The original acreage for the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary was one of the worst disposal areas in Northern Wisconsin. Fifty years ago volunteers transformed the area into what has become a model urban wildlife sanctuary. The Sanctuary now has more than 700 acres and Is celebrating Its 50th Anniversary. Annually. more than 400.000 people come to the Bay Beach Sanctuary. These visitors from all parts of America and many foreign countries can see firsthand the beauty of Northern Wisconsin. The Sanctuary has migratory waterfowl. raccoons. and other urbanized animals. a herd of deer. a flock of wild turkeys. and a home for some special animal species that are on the endangered list. We have even had the majestic bald eagle dip into our lagoons to snatch lunch on its migratory path north. All this IS less than a mile from several large multinational corporations. It does show that big business and wildlife can live side by side In harmony. The many trails are used for cross country skiing in the winter and educational outings such as moonlight walks with Sanctuary staff in the summer. The Bay Beach Sanctuary Is an ideal example of how the private sector can work with the public sector. even in times of budget cutbacks. to build strong program. The acreage is a part of the City of Green Bay park program. As such. the annual operating budget is funded from local tax dollars. Expansion and special Programs such as the new Nature Center are funded through contributions raised by volunteers and lead by the Friends of the Sanctuary. Many of the program activities are devoted to educational efforts and projects. Can you imagine learning to walk on snowshoes and going out into the snow to see how the rabbit. fox. and even the mouse make us look clumsy when they move around with. out any special equipment. Kids of all ages love it. If you get the idea that we are proud of our Sanctuary and our new Nature Center. you are absolutely right. We know that we are not Impartial observers. but we think that your publication can highlight how we have been successful. We are not interested In gaining credit. We want others in both large and small communities to realize they. too. can do this. Our partnership with the local government in this effort is showing that It can be done. We look forward to hearing from you regarding development of an article. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely.