Friends Group
Friends of the Mead/McMillan Association, Inc.
Who are We?
The Friends of the Mead/McMillan Association, Inc., is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to furthering wildlife education and management at the George W. Mead and McMillan Marsh Wildlife Areas. The Friends incorporated on April 25, 1996 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The organization is composed of individuals from many different backgrounds interested in increasing public understanding, appreciation, support, and enjoyment of wildlife.
The Friends’ Goals include increasing funding for educational support, improving access and use of the handicap facilities on the property, creating citizen support for the management activities on the property, expanding and promoting the walking trail system, promoting the Mead as birding area, purchasing needed operational and habitat maintenance equipment, providing updated maps of the property, and creating a trail system with viewing areas.
There are many ways you can contribute and help out the Friends. Please consider becoming a member of the Friends group, contribute financial or nonfinancial support, and spread the word about the Friends group.
With almost 40,000 acres dedicated to wildlife, Mead and McMillan are resources that touch the lives of every citizen in Wood, Portage and Marathon Counties. The Friends are a partner in the day to day operation and we have much to be proud of.
What have we done?
The Friends were instrumental in raising funds for the Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center, a model in green design in the state of Wisconsin.
Provided funding and volunteers to build the Ephemeral Trail and Boardwalk, along with the observation decks overlooking the Educational Wildlife Scrape & Sedge Meadow.
Sponsor an annual pancake breakfast and support other events.
Partnered with the Mead Witter Foundation to establish the “Mead Wildlife Area Trust” that supports a Natural Resources Educator.
Support of the education program by purchasing supplies and equipment, such as microscopes.
Other ways the Friends have supported the mission of the Mead Wildlife Area; purchase of various animal mounts for display in the Education and Visitor Center, teacher scholarships, supplying funds for limited term naturalist employees, and assisting with and planning for many of the events held at the Mead.