Construction of Picnic Shelter, 2019
photo by Mark Nupen

As of June 5, 2021, FNBWA is currently planning to upgrade our outdoor restroom facilities and construct an information and viewing shelter on the corner of Dry Landing Road and St. Croix Trail. We are also working on developing middle school curriculum to share information on the importance of the barrens with our next generation and their families. We have ongoing programs of bluebird nest box maintenance and monitoring, member newsletters, guided hikes each summer and an annual picnic. We appreciate donations and help of any time and talent with our projects.

Here is a partial list of our past projects and accomplishments:

FNBWA Project Accomplishments

  • Raise matching funds for the 1500-acre Conservation Fund land addition
  • Support DNR purchase of the NBWA land from Burnett County
  • Support NW Sands master plan approval at state level
  • Support development and approval for sharp-tailed grouse management plan
  • Promote barrens corridors between NBWA, Crex & DCWA including support for appointment of full-time DNR manager
  • Help raise funds for new sharp-tailed grouse viewing blinds
  • Coordinate annual sharp-tailed grouse viewing blind reservations
  • Donate funds for STG research
  • Donate funds for invasive species control
  • Erect roadside kiosks on north and south units
  • Develop and establish an NBWA auto tour
  • Develop and publish glossy photo book
  • Develop and publish annual NBWA calendar
  • Develop FNBWA display board for public presentations
  • Sponsor FNBWA neighbor picnic with presentations, displays, and auctions
  • Partner in regional NW WI Barrens brochure production
  • Ongoing barrens cabin restoration & maintenance
  • Annual bluebird trail maintenance, monitoring, and reporting
  • Sponsor barrens nature walks including
    • birding,
    • butterflies,
    • flora,
    • hiking,
    • wolf howling,
    • photography,
    • wild edibles,
    • mushrooms,
    • bog,
    • blueberry picking,
    • bird dogs,
    • history
  • Assist professional efforts to monitor plant and wildlife populations
  • Sponsor annual Natural Resources Foundation field trips
    • Birding
    • Bog
  • Research and document human history of the Barrens
  • Assist development of NW Sands Settlers Trail Auto Tour
  • 2017-2019- Received $3088 stewardship grant for public use facilities:
    • cabin wood stove,
    • shelving,
    • new storm door,
    • educational materials,
    • 24×36 picnic shelter,
    • 4 picnic tables
  • Road signage to and on the Barrens
    • state highways 35 & 77,
    • township roads,
    • NBWA firebreaks
  • Signage at Forest Home School and settler’s cemetery
  • 2022 – Received a DNR grant and constructed a new barrens viewing shelter
    with benches at the corner of St. Croix Trail and Dry Landing Road.