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| About 1000 Islands [1000 Islands Environmental Center] | | | 1000 Islands Conservancy Zone was established in 1969, by the Common Council of the City of Kaukauna. The purpose of this Conservancy Zone is to preserve the land in a natural state for the benefit of all citizens, with the idea of teaching good conservation practices and preservation of natural resources. The Conservancy Zone now encompasses 350 acres.
In 1976 the initial building was dedicated as a Bicentennial remembrance established by the City. Building was added to in stages up through 2001.
The naturalist was hired in 1978.
The Environmental Center is administered by the 1000 Islands Environmental Center Committee – consists of 9 Kaukauna citizens appointed by the Mayor and Common Council.
The Center is staffed by the Naturalist and a part-time Business Coordinator. They are aided by many volunteers. In 1997 the volunteers worked 3,500 hours. The core of the volunteer group comes from the Friends of the 1000 Islands, a support group whose primary goal is to provide assistance and funding for special projects and items necessary for the efficient operation of the Center. Being a Friend makes you a part of the Center’s efforts to preserve this part of our natural heritage.
Original funding was through donations from private citizens, businesses and organizations, and the City of Kaukauna.
The Center is now funded through the Kaukauna School District, City and Outagamie County. Also much support comes from the Friends of the Center, private donors and local industry. Thilmany has been a large donor and supports the Center in many ways, including our recycling program. All building additions were funded through donations from both public and private sector through fund drives, grants, bequests, and memorials. Endowment program was started in 1983 with a bequest of $25,000 from former teacher Evelyn Handran.
Other donations include birdseed and all kinds of food for Animals and birds. Donations of furniture and fixtures to complete finishing of rooms and buildings. Donations of materials, trees and plants to renew tree areas, wild flowers, etc. Donations of labor for building, maintenance and general upkeep and control of buildings and property.
Major mounted animal collections are donations of Joe Van Daalwyk – North American and Asian/African mounts including many full mounts of species. Other collections that have been added to our collection are donations of Asian/African and North American mounts from John Barlow and Bob Juneau. Collections are housed in the two last major building additions. There are also, displays of arrowhead collections found along the Fox River.
Live bird displays include a talking parrot and cockatiel, snakes, turtles, a trantula, gecko and live fish.
The conservancy zone now has 7.2 miles of trails. One mile of trail along the river. It also has 2000 feet of barrier free boardwalk. The hiking trails along the river have benches with wonderful views to enjoy as you rest and relax. Cross country ski trails are in the upper woods of the conservancy and provide recreation for hundreds of skiers each winter. While walking, you may see eagles, deer and a great variety of waterfowl and many birds of all kinds.
The number of visitors at the Center have gone from less than 10,000 in 1978 to the present count of 55,000 to 60,000 visitors each year. 18,000 school children make this their field trip each year. Programs for school groups led by the Naturalist consist of Sugar Bush – making maple syrup: paper making program, Earth week activities, spring wildflower hikes, birding hikes, eagle viewing, and fall hikes in lower and upper woods. Scouts, senior citizen groups and general public can enjoy any of these programs and more. Canoe launch aids canoeing along the lower Fox.
Summer programs are organized for children of all ages, hikes, picnics, and birdhouse building, fishing, crawfish and critter hunts. Winter snow offers snowshoeing for all ages.
The Friends of the 1000 Islands sponsor an Art Fair each May and many other fund raising programs to aid the programs at the Center.
New projects and additions include a 4,000 ft. blacktop trail which will make the wooded area more accessible to all, an observation deck for eagle watching and more land as it becomes available.
| | About 1000 Islands ( Handout ) [1000 Islands Environmental Center] | | | About 1000 Islands
Appreciation of our natural environment is the primary reason for the existence of the 1000 Islands Environmental Center. The Center is here for students of all ages to enjoy passive and active experiences while gaining new and ongoing appraisals of our local treasures.
The lower Fox River Valley is rich in Native American and European American history. People were attracted to this region eons ago because of its forests, abundand wildlife and fruitful rivers and streams.
The 1000 Islands of the Fox River is a small but vital reminder of northeastern Wisconsin's natural and historical heritage. We lie within a major corridor of bird migrations that is known as the Mississippi flyway. These traditional movements of birds which have been taking place twice annually for thousands of years still occur. From this vantage point bird watchers often monitor population fluctuations of waterfowl, songbirds and predatory birds as they travel north and south with the changing seasons.
Our location in Wisconsin, which is approximately at 46 degrees north latitude, in addition to our relative location to the Great Lakes, places the 1000 Islands within another significant occurance called the tension zone. This is evident as an irregular band across the north central tier of states in which northern and more southernly species of plants and animals co-mingle. Within this ten to twently mile-wide band certain species reach their normal limits of existence.
Center activities involve all ages and occur throughout the year. A full-time naturalist is present to provide guidance for students at all levels.
| | Adult Beginner Dance [Recreation] | | | The Kaukauna Recreation Department offers adult beginner lessons in Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap. This is a six-week session beginning in April. Classes are held in the Dance Room of the Municipal Services Building.
Watch Recreation Announcements for more information.
| | Adult Coed Kickball [Recreation] | | | Are you and your friends looking for something fun, new and exciting to do this fall?
The Kaukauna Recreation sponsors Adult Coed Kickball leagues in the fall.
League play is scheduled to begin the first week in September and run through Mid-October.
Watch the Recreation Announcements for more details!!!!
| | Adult Men's Softball [Recreation] | | | The Recreation Department sponsors Adult Softball leagues that run May through August. The Leagues available are National, American, and Tavern League.
The Men’s Tavern League is for players 35 years and older. The schedule is based on 12 games/8 innings. 25% of the team fee is to be paid by a sponsor and 75% is to be paid by the players.
The 14” Men’s Softball team includes an American and National Division. The schedule is 12 games plus the post season tournament. 25% of the team fee is to be paid by a sponsor and 75% is to be paid by the players.
Watch Recreation Announcements for registration details!!!
| | Adult Summer Water Aerobics [Recreation] | | | The Kaukauna Recreation Department sponsors a seven-week aerobics class beginning in June. The classes are held Monday through Thursday.
Watch our announcements for registration information.
| | Adult Women's Winter Volleyball [Recreation] | | | The Kaukauna Recreation department offers organized Women's Volleyball during the winter months.
Games are held Tuesday evenings at H.B. Tanner Elementary School gym.
Watch announcements for registration information.
| | Ambulance Billing [Finance] | | | The Finance Department bills for all paramedic services provided by Kaukauna Rescue Service. All invoices are then sent to the patient. We will submit claims to the patient's insurance company after the patient supplies us with the insurance information.
| | Assessment Contracted Services [Assessment] | | | The City has contracted with Bowmar Appraisals, Inc. to provide property appraisal services as well as a periodic City-wide revaluations of all property. Contact Bowmar Appraisals, Inc. at 920-733-5369.
| | Assessment Counter Service [Assessment] | | | A public access computer is available during normal business hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) at the Finance/Assessment Department counter in City Hall. This computer displays basic property value and tax information that can be queried and printed out for $0.25 per copy.
| | Attractions [1000 Islands Environmental Center] | | |
Formed by the Fox River and molded by time the 1000 Islands area was home to several bands of Indians, who found fish, game and shelter in abundance.
In 1969, the City of Kaukauna officially created the 1000 Islands Conservancy Zone by setting aside 240 acres of woodland and river area.
The 1000 Islands Environmental Center was established adjacent to the zone in 1976 as part of the City's celebration of the nations bicentennial.
In 1978, a full time naturalist was hired to conduct programs and supervise development of the center.
The center continues to grow both in quality and services. Miles of boardwalk trails have been constructed to provide access for all individuals. Some of the trails follow deer paths and others wander along the shores of the river.
1000 Islands offers many opportunities to enjoy nature:
Hiking Cross country skiing
Snowshoeing Canoeing
Great blue herons, owls, bitterns, teal coot, ducks and many migratory song birds Hundreds of acres of waterfowl nesting area
Nature Studies Butterfly Garden
Chinquapin Oaks Whitetail deer herd
Mink, muskrat, raccoon, and woodchuck
Scenic overlooks
Large display of North American, Asian and African mounted animals
Spring Art Fair
Pair of nesting eagles
Fishing piers
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