Timeline
|
Description
|
| 1929 |
City Of Green Bay purchased 250 Acres adjacent to the Bay Beach Amusement Park with the intent of building a golf course. |
| 1935 |
Concerned citizens led by Chester Cole & Lyle Kingston developed the concept of a wildlife refuge with guidance from Aldo Leopold. |
| 1936-1937 |
- City Park Board granted 5 acres to use for waterfowl. Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary was incorporated, offering 50¢ memberships to raise funds.
- The first pond was hand dug and stocked with injured waterfowl.
- Sanctuary wins national award/trophy for this effort 1937.
|
| 1938-1941 |
With heavy equipment donations from Shuster’s Construction and the County the National Youth Administration and Work Project Administration 100 men worked 2 years digging more ponds, completing the present lagoon system of 55 acres, landscaped the islands and planted trees and shrubs. |
| 1938 |
Louis Barkhausen donated 6 Canada geese, which are the ancestors of our present goose flock. |
| 1941 |
- First goslings hatch.
- City Park Recreation & Forestry Department takes over operation of the Sanctuary and Park Board names it the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
|
| 1956 |
- 3,000 ducks & geese winter at the refuge.
- Support funds are raised from corn sales (10¢ per bag) and concessions.
|
| 1965 |
First goose banding operation begins. (To date Sanctuary’s banding program over 28 years of data collection rates this project as the longest running of banding program in the state). |
| 1970 |
City hires the first college trained professional Sanctuary Manager. |
| 1971 |
Redredging of main Feeding Lagoon – funded by partnership of college student button sales and local industry. |
| 1973 |
Sanctuary is inundated with 4 feet of flood water from the Bay. |
| 1978 |
- Observation building size is doubled with help of the Marine Corps Reserves to accommodate expanding environmental education program.
- Friends of the Wildlife Sanctuary, non-profit support group is incorporated.
|
| 1980 |
- Sanctuary’s Master Plan Phase I is completed (Coastal Zone Grant).
- Sanctuary’s acreage is doubled with 300 acres of purchased and donated land east of Danz Ave.
|
| 1981 |
Sanctuary’s Master Plan Phase II is completed for the new acreage (Coastal Zone Grant). |
| 1982 |
HUD Grant funds “Web of Life” Accessible Trail & Water Fall. |
| 1983 |
Sanctuary’s Communication Plan through a Coastal Zone Management Grant is completed (plan details how to tell Sanctuary Story to the 59 target groups identified). |
| 1985 |
Nature Education Center opens in September, largest center of its kind built entirely by private funds raised by the Friends = $1.7 million. |
| 1986 |
Equipping & furnishing of the Nature Center. |
| 1987 |
Construction of Bald Eagle, Caracara & Redtail Hawk aviary exhibits. |
| 1988 |
Construction of vulture & coyote habitat exhibits. |
| 1989 |
Construction of waterfowl habitat exhibit. |
| 1990 |
- Addition of a full-time Ranger Technician.
- Establishing the Woodland Community Memorial Grove – planting of trees & shrubs to both commemorate individuals and landscape the Woodland Community area with native plant material.
|
| 1991 |
- Dedication of the White-tailed Deer Habitat exhibit.
- Construction of main entrance archway, Wildlife Habi-Trek archway and directional sign pod.
|
| 1992 |
- Acquisition of 11 acres of land completing geographical integrity of the Sanctuary boundaries and trail extension to connect with the UWGB Arboretum (Stewardship Grant of $116,000 matched by Friends and City).
- Dedication of Habitat & Succession exhibit with Peter Gros from Wild Kingdom assisting in the public dedication ceremony.
- Dedication of Kingdom Corner, & Wildlife Observation Platform exhibits in the nature center with Brian Noble – Green Bay Packer.
|
| 1993 |
- Addition of 2nd & 3rd deck levels to Deer Habitat Tower = 33′ high.
- Addition of Deer Habitat Eco-Learning Station platform & trellis.
|
| 1994 |
- Construction of Woodland Building, a 6,000 sq. ft., Friends funded project for native Wisconsin woodland animals, with 1 acre wolf habitat.
- Construction of nocturnal animal exhibits in Woodland Building and door entranceway log canopies.
- Received National Science Foundation Grant of $165,159 for national model program development entitled, “Communities and Connections in the World of Nature”.
- Received Wisconsin Environmental Education Board Matching Grant of $4,330 to redo the Web of Life Trail Station – interactive.
- Received City bond issue of $250,000 to replace 3 small buildings in Feeding Lagoon area with one new Observation/Rehabilitation structure.
|
| 1995 |
- 60th Anniversary – 60 years of growth and progressive Environmental Education development.
- Ground breaking on new Observation/Rehabilitation Building.
|
| 1996 |
- Completion of Woodland Building.
- Outdoor Exhibits for Otter, Fisher, Raccoon, Grey Fox and Cougar with viewing kiosks.
- Completion of Woodland Building indoor interpretive graphics.
|
| 1997 |
- Construction of Eagle Aviary and “Raptor Trail” with 14 bird of prey exhibits (hawks, owls, falcons) and Raptor Theater.
- Addition of full-time Naturalist.
|
| 1998 |
- Dedication of Waterfowl Exhibit.
- Completion of Coyote Habitat.
- Construction of Butterfly Atrium.
- Construction of Maintenance/Operation Building begins.
- Reconstruction of Amphitheater seating.
- Friends purchase Wildlife Wagon.
|
| 1999 |
“Wildlife World” construction |
| 2000 |
Resch Conservation Wing |
| 2001 |
- “Critter Encounter” Pods
- Floating Boardwalk
|
| 2002 |
- “Habitat Hollow” – Tree
- Greenhouse Remodel
- Website
- Endowment
|
| 2003 |
- Log Home
- Resch Wing Graphics
|
| 2004 |
- Habitat House
- Honey Bee Exhibit
- Whirlygig Pond Deck
|
| 2005 |
- Nature Center Canopy
- Burrow Exhibit
- Hawk Exhibits
|
| 2006 |
- Flight Pavilion
- Maintenance Bldg. II
- Wildlife Wagon & Wildlife Mural
- Lagoon Restoration Dredging
|
| 2007 |
- Lagoon Restoration – Aeration & Well Drilling & Interpretive Gazebo
- Manger Lagoon “Springs Wings” – Bird Festival Art Show
|
| 2008-2010 |
Resch Waterfalls construction with Kress Nature Trail |
| 2011 |
75th Anniversary – “Soaring Forward With The Wildlife Sanctuary” |
