In 2015, WWA was a major partner in a grant-funded experiment, placing educational boot & wader cleaning stations out at major public access points around Wisconsin. WWA's stations were placed in areas around Green Bay, Horicon Marsh, Big Muskego Lake (pictured at right), and other public properties in Waukesha County. The stations provide real tools for hunters to use to clean their footwear & gear, to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, but perhaps more importantly, provide information via extensive educational signage - raising awareness of the entire issue for sportspersons who may not have even considered the consequences of their movements from one hunting site to another.

Last week, WWA completed the construction of another 12 of these stations, for future use by our Adopt A Wildlife Area teams, as well as other chapter outreach activities in local communities. We were fortunate to receive major in-kind assistance from Chaseburg Manufacturing, the Coon Valley, WI-based manufacturer of the "Big Boot Scrushers" that are the centerpiece of the stations, along with UW Extension/WDNR, who are providing the informational signs (pictured above), that will top each station, once our order arrives later this month. Once that part of the assembly is completed, starting next year, these stations will begin to populate the landscape, providing service & information to all who see them, and utilize the public access points they'll be stationed near. Our hearty "thanks" to these partners for helping make these stations a reality!

If you have any questions regarding this program or the boot cleaning stations, please contact WWA's Lead AWA Volunteer Mike Alaimo.

From the WDNR's Facebook Page:

We would like to thank the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association(WWA) for all their hard work in the Adopt-A-Wildlife-Area program.

The WWA has adopted seven wildlif e areas across the state since 2016 including: Mud Lake WA in Columbia county, Rome Pond WA and Lake Mills WA in Jefferson county, Jackson Marsh WA in Washington county, Big Muskego WA and Paradise Marsh WA in Waukesha county, and George W. Mead WA in Marathon/Wood/Portage counties.

WWA's most well-known waterfowl and wetland conservation projects are their Wood Duck boxes and nesting structures, invasive species eradication through purple loosestrife beetles and boot cleaning stations, and brush clearing projects for habitat restoration. These projects are critical to enhance the productivity of our state wildlife areas. It is this dedication that makes WWA's adopt commitment, a vital component in the conservation of state public lands.

Click here to learn more about WWA's Adopt A Wildlife Area Program.