Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy

… preserving the land and its stories

The Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy (FOPFC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was formed in the spring of 2013. The purpose of the FOPFC is to enhance the educational opportunities at Pope Farm Conservancy (PFC), preserve the balance of its wildlife habitat and historical features, and protect its scenic landscapes and tranquility for the enjoyment of the public. Pope Farm Conservancy is owned and operated by the Town of Middleton. The friends will offer you many opportunities to enhance and enjoy this breathtaking conservancy. We welcome you to join us and be a part of our natural community.

News & Announcements

  • April 10, 2025: Exploring the Black Earth Creek Watershed: A Health Report (Public Talk)
    Public Talk: Exploring the Black Earth Creek Watershed Pope Farm Conservancy is located on a unique geological point where three distinct watersheds converge. Water from the property can flow towards the Sugar River to the south, Black Earth Creek to…
  • Feb 23, 2025: Winter Walk at PFC
    **Rescheduled**Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 1:00PM The Friends group will be hosting a Winter Walk at Pope Farm Conservancy on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 1PM. Come join us for a one-hour stroll through the conservancy. We’ll explore the hiking…
  • Sept 28, 2025: “Prairies in Seed” – A Fall Prairie Walking Tour at PFC
    Saturday, Sept. 28th, 2024 (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) The fall is a great time to experience the prairie in its final beauty. This course will serve as an introduction to identifying seed-bearing prairie plants. Attendees will tour a restored…
  • Sept 7th, 2024: Fall Migration Birding Tour at PFC
    Saturday, September 7th, 2024 (7:30AM) Speaker: Mike McDowell, Nature Photographer and Local Birding Expert Location: Pope Farm Conservancy, 7440 W Old Sauk Rd, Verona, WI 53593** Meet in the LOWER parking lot off Old Sauk Road ** Join us for…
More News

Stories of the Land (Video Series)

  • German Immigration
    Step back in time with our one-of-kind video series about German Immigration at Pope Farm Conservancy. Watch and learn how immigrants from Mecklenburg, Germany lived on this hillside over 150 years ago.
  • The Legacy of the CCC at Pope Farm
    The CCC played a big role within the Conservancy in the 1930s by building the spillway that has been the long-lasting solution to erosion affecting this area of the Conservancy. The CCC was a forerunner to the environmental movement we enjoy today.
  • The History of the Pope Farm Conservancy Land
    An in-depth understanding about the lands we know today as Pope Farm Conservancy. Go back in time to learn about life as a German settler in the mid-19th century, then learn about farming in 1960s, and finally how the land came to be a conservancy today.
  • Geology at Pope Farm Conservancy
    The glaciers that once covered our state have left behind geological features that make Wisconsin an ideal place for geologists to study and learn about the work of glacial ice. Watch along as we journey through time and discover the geologic history of the land.

A Message on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pope Farm Conservancy remains open to the public 7 days a week, year-round, from sunrise to sunset. We encourage all visitors to practice social distancing to stay safe while enjoying the conservancy. 

Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy’s Safety Guidelines: CDC and Dane County safety restrictions related to Covid-19 have been modified. Masks and social distancing are no longer required at outdoor programs, and there is no limit on group size. However, if you have recently been exposed to someone with Covid-19 or are feeling unwell on the day of a program, please do not attend to ensure the safety of other attendees. We will continue to monitor Covid-19 safety guidelines and update our website as needed.

Please see our events page for the most up-to-date information regarding our public talks/tours, restoration projects, and educational projects. As this situation is continually changing, we encourage you to check our website regularly for updates.

Upcoming Programs and Events

Public Talk: Exploring the Black Earth Creek Watershed
Thursday, April 10th, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Pope Farm Elementary School

Representatives Andy Morton and Michelle Harris of the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association (BECWA) will present a brief summary of the 2024 Black Earth Creek Watershed Health Report. The full report can be found here. Join us for an engaging presentation about this vital watershed and its connection to our local environment. This talk is free and open to the public – no registration is necessary. Learn More…

Additional 2025 events will be announced in Spring 2025.

Join our Programs Team!

Are you passionate about Pope Farm Conservancy? Do you enjoy organizing events and bringing people together? We need your help!

Next Meeting: Monday, December 16, 6:00-6:45pm via Zoom. Email Janie to get the Zoom link.

Over the last 10 years the Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy have provided programs and talks about the Conservancy to the public, free of charge. Hundreds of people have enjoyed learning about the stories of the land and the natural world. To continue to provide these programs at the same levels that we have done in the past, we need some volunteers to help with the planning to make them happen. This is a chance for you to “give back” to the Conservancy, and help the Friends with our educational mission. We need you!

PR / Communications Team

Volunteers are needed to help write content and stories for our wonderful publications (monthly and annual newsletters). There are so many interesting stories at the Conservancy, and if you like to write, there is much to write about! Even if it is contributing an article once or twice a year. If interested, please contact us at info@popefarmconservancy.org.