Dear Editor:

In a city that is rich in natural history and is flanked on one side by Gaylord Nelson and on the other side by Aldo Leopold, I do not think it is asking too much for the city to lay claim to its heritage of conservation and preservation and purchase ALL 30 acres of land at the Hartmeyer property (2007 Roth Street).

As we look toward the redevelopment of the 72 acres of land at the Oscar Mayer site, there sits, nestled right next door, a magical place that many “locals” call home. While they may not pay taxes or add commercial space when they build, they do call the Hartmeyer property their home.

The “high-rise” apartments belong to the blue birds that reside in the monitored boxes that run through the property. There are birds nesting in there now. While their neighbors reside in a more high-density, waterfront situation: Canada geese nesting on top of a muskrat house on the shore of the shallow ponded area. The Sandhill cranes, that one might call “snow birders” returned from places as far away as Florida, have set up their nests. More of a medium density situation. Right now, as you wander up Roth Street, you might find a lone Sandhill crane out meandering for food while the other crane sits atop the nest. We hope to soon see a colt or two (the name for Sandhill crane youngsters). Higher density residential area is the ponds along the railroad tracks. Frogs, turtles and other water dwellers find their homes in these wet areas filling the air with frog calls, almost deafening at times.

The wood ducks fly in and out of the wetland and consider the ancient oaks for a possible nesting site. It is always amazing to see ducks land on a tree limb and make their nest high up in the tree cavities, only to have the little chicks dropping out of the tree when they fledge, heading toward the wetland and its offerings found in the water. If trees could only talk, what stories the beautiful oak trees could tell as they still stand strong and tall along Roth Street. 

The “Trio of Trees” has stood the test of time that harkens back to when all of this area was awash with water, reeds and marsh plants. The birds, also, through the millennia, remember as well when their ancient relatives flew to this area, rich in healthy habitat and raised their youngsters in the wetlands and uplands. So they return, driven to return here, at the Hartmeyer wetland.

So as we look at land use, in these days of COVID-19, let us remember it was nature that drew us out to walk along the edges of the property and to view the birds and other wildlife species that call the Hartmeyer Natural Area their home. It has provided comfort, a sense of “Yes, life does go on” and the hope that eventually our lives will also return to normal. 

Let us keep this natural area, ALL 30 acres, open and undeveloped. In these days of intense infill and missing middle housing installations, is it so bad to want to keep open space in an area that historically was overrun by industry? Let us get creative and install a conservation park that offers a respite to all of us. There are 72 acres of land available for redevelopment at O.M. Station that can bolster the tax base while we look to preserving a space that provides a calm and comforting ecosystem for all of Madison’s residents. If our city will take the lead, other groups and organizations will join in this effort toward conservation and preservation of a little parcel of land on Madison’s Northside.

The Sandhill cranes thank you.

For more information about the Hartmeyer Natural Area, visit the Friends of Hartmeyer Natural Area’s Facebook page at facebook.com/hartmeyernaturalarea.

Beth Sluys
Northsider