Summer Visit to the Wildlife Refuge in Necedah, Wisconsin

Anyone who is traveling through the upper mid-west would benefit by stopping in Necedah, Wisconsin for a trip through the Wildlife Refuge. This Federal Wildlife Refuge is easy to find, only 6 miles west of Necedah on State Highway 21. The Refuge is only a matter of hours from La Crosse, Madison and Milwaukee. Visitors from all over the country stop to see what makes this refuge so popular. The first thing that captures your attention is the 44,000 acres of wildlife habitat comprised of oak savannahs, woods and waterways that support many different forms of animal life including wolves. There are also many different species of birds, waterfowl and fish.

The refuge is the home of Project "Operation Migration" founded in 1994 by Joe Duff and Bill Lishman. The project started with the training of geese and sandhill cranes but evolved in 2001 into work with the endangered whooping cranes. They began with only 21 birds. The young cranes, which are known as colts, begin their training shortly after they arrive at the refuge from the hatchery. Handlers, wearing crane suits, work with the young birds all summer to train and care for them. They learn to trust the humans wearing the suits and the ultra light aircraft used in the fall migration.

They never see an actual human the whole time they are on the refuge. There is a blind where visitors and eager photographers can watch the training and take photos of the birds. Since this area is secured, guides will take visitors to the blind. After months of training on the ground and in the air, the cranes are ready, about October, to leave the refuge and follow the ultra-light aircraft to their two wintering refuges in Florida. In the spring it is hoped they will migrate back to the wildlife refuge in Necedah on their own.

The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge also boasts the world's largest concentration of that elusive little blue butterfly known as the "Karner Blue". This beautiful small butterfly may be viewed twice a year, once in May when the lupines are in full bloom, and again in July. This is their favorite food flower, which grows abundantly in several areas of the refuge.