County Executive Jamie Kuhn announced Dane County will award the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (SWBA) over $900,000 to acquire approximately 348 acres in the town of Christiana. Through this collaboration, this purchase will permanently preserve the large tract of land for birds and other wildlife, restore significant acreage to prairie land, and provide outdoor recreational activities and educational opportunities for the public.
SWBA, formerly known as the Madison Audubon Society, applied to the Dane County Conservation Fund Grant Program for financial assistance for the acquisition. The property is approximately two miles south of CamRock County Park in between CTH A and CTH A on Hillside Road. It contains a farmstead, 270 acres of cool season grasses, 51 acres of woods, and 19 acres restored to prairie by SWBA and David Gunnulson, whose family has owned the property for almost 200 years. The property will be known as Koshkonong Prairie Sanctuary, once acquired.
The estimated project cost for the acquisition is $2,404,120. SWBA was awarded a Knowles Nelson Stewardship grant in the amount of $1,491,000 and is seeking a Dane County Conservation Fund grant for the remaining funds. The Dane County Park Commission recently recommended granting up to $912,900 in county matching funds.
A resolution to approve the amount was introduced to the Dane County Board earlier this month. It is expected to be approved in the coming weeks.
