Madison Audubon Society

Goose Pond Sanctuaries - in the Heart of Southern Wisconsin

Madison Audubon Society is active in helping to maintain area sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife, and for natural habitat restoration. Your membership, donations and support are very important for making these projects a success!

The Goose Pond Sanctuaries Fund helps support Madison Audubon's local wildlife sanctuaries, wetland restoration projects, and prairie restoration projects. Some people contribute funds, and some find enjoyment in coming out to help restore the prairies. All contributions are appreciated!

Madison Audubon is continuing to add new sanctuary areas to the Goose Pond Sanctuaries through the generosity of local donors and cooperation with other environmental groups and state and national government resource management agencies.

A primary focus of the Goose Pond Sanctuaries is the area around Goose Pond near Arlington in northern Dane County. The Madison Audubon Sanctuaries you help support, include a number of restored prairies and wetlands in this area - And the birds know where to find them!

Special Madison Audubon events at Goose Pond include Prairies Jubilee, Scope Days, and prairie seed collecting. Members and the public are welcome to visit the bird observation area at any time. There is no entry fee.

Here are directions to Goose Pond for the rest of us!

Goose Pond is just south of Arlington, near the intersection of U.S. 51, 60 and 22. From Madison, take U.S. 51 north about 15 miles toward Arlington. After you pass Deforest, watch for the the sign for the Arlington Agricultural Research Station and County K. From the north, go south of Arlington about 3 miles to County K.

Go west on County K 2 miles, then north half a mile. You will see Goose Pond on Goose Pond Road. Turn west into Prairie Road. This is the driveway into Goose Pond Sanctuary, with Goose Pond alongside Prairie Road to the north. Please park along Prairie Road to observe wildlife, but do not approach wildlife or walk along the tracks. Feel free to take a walk in the prairie restoration area, and sign the guestbook at the courtesy station! When you leave, please turn around just beyond the railroad tracks on Prairie Road, and do not park in the farm yard. Thank you! Enjoy your visit!