Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan

OCTOBER 2013

Harpers Ferry CenterNational Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

2 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan

PLANNING FOUNDATION

Boulder Creek, Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area, Sauk County

3National Park Service

Ice Age National Scenic TrailAmerica’s Great Outdoors (AGO Project):Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains (Dane County)to the Aldo Leopold Shack (Sauk County)

Long-Range Interpretive Plan

Prepared under Order No. P12PD14250 Task Order No. 25Interpretive Planning Services for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Prepared under Contract No. C1180070004 with the National Park Service

Interpretive Planning ServicesHarpers Ferry CenterP.O. Box 50Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

By: Interpretive Solutions732 Westbourne RoadWest Chester, PA 19382

October 2013

COVER PHOTO: View of Hawks Bluff at Lodi Marsh State Wildlife Area, Dane County

INSET: Ice Age Trail at Black Earth Creek, Village of Cross Plains, Dane County

All photos NPS unless otherwise indicated.

4 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan

PLANNING FOUNDATION

Devil’s Lake in winter, Devil’s Lake State Park, Sauk County. Photo courtesy Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

5National Park Service

Introduction

Foundation for Planning 7

Introduction

About the Long-Range Interpretive Plan

Legislative Background

Purpose

Statements of Significance

Primary Interpretive Themes

Management Goals

Audience Segments

Desired Visitor Experiences

Issues and Opportunities

Existing Conditions 21

Background

Information and Orientation

The Audience

Experiencing the Trail

Interpretive Partners

Personnel

Recommendations 37

Introduction

Next steps for the Long-Range Interpretive Plan

The America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Project

Programs, Services and Media

Interpretive Infrastructure

Evaluation

Background Material 57

Map for all Themes

Map for Theme One: The Landscape

Map for Theme Two: People and the Land

Map for Theme Three: Environmental Conditions

Map for Theme Four: Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Map for Theme Five: America’s Great Outdoors Project

Map for Theme Six: Stewardship

Images of AGO Sites

Matrix: Geologic Features / Characteristics

Matrix: Environmental Features / Characteristics

Matrix: Cultural Features / Characteristics

Glossary of Geologic Terms

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6 Ice Age National Scenic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan

PLANNING FOUNDATION

La Budde Creek Segment of the Ice Age Trail, Sheboygan County. Photo courtesy Ice Age Trail Alliance