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

  • Sept 28: “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…
  • 9.4.24 – Fall Migration Birding Tour on Sept 7th
    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…
  • 8.17.24 – Friends Annual Picnic – Aug. 28th
    Friends’ Annual Picnic at Kalscheur Park Hall Date: Wednesday, August 28th, 2024, 5-7PM Location: Kalscheur Park Hall in Pine Bluff, 3734 County Rd P, Cross Plains, WI 53528 Join us for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship as we come together…
  • 7.23.24 – Summer Walk Scheduled for Aug. 17th
    Summer Walk at Pope Farm Conservancy Join us for a leisurely stroll through the diverse habitats of the Conservancy. It’s a great time of year to take in the sights and sounds of summer, including blooming wildflowers, vibrant green crop…
  • 6/22/24 – “Blooms of the Prairie” Walk on July 21st
    A Guided Tour of the Pope Farm Conservancy Prairies with Wild Ones Madison Sunday, July 21, 2024 (10:00 a.m.) Speaker: Jeff Steele, Wild Ones Madison Join the Madison Chapter of the Wild Ones on this one-hour guided tour of the…
  • 5/25/2024 – Nest Box Walk at PFC
    Nest Box Trail Walking Tour Saturday, May 25th, 2024 (1:00-2:00PM) Location: Pope Farm Conservancy, 7440 W Old Sauk Rd, Verona, WI 53593** Meet in the LOWER parking lot off Old Sauk Road ** Presenters: Pat Ready (President of the Bluebird…
  • 2024 Programs and Events – Mark Your Calendars!
    The FOPFC Programs Committee has been busy planning various public programs and educational talks for 2024. Check out our Events Page to see the lineup of programs for this season.

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

Our 2025 events will be announced in February 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.