Member Brian Collins presented this address during the initial GNAS meeting at WI Interstate Park in October, 2010.

Northwest Wisconsin is a natural, national treasure, a place rich with rivers and wild lands. It is a vast and great migratory bird corridor, a stronghold in the recovery of wolves and fishers, and an exciting convergence of plant and animal communities along an ecological tension zone. This part of Wisconsin has many recognized IBAs (Important Bird Areas) and vast areas of wild
land with low human populations. Conservation opportunities abound in an area already rich in a great land stewardship history.

Northwest Wisconsin is equally rich in great minds--people who dedicate their lives to scientific pursuits and conservation efforts, education and arts, communication and cultural awareness.

We feel that bringing a National Audubon chapter to Northwest Wisconsin will serve as a catalyst and a forum in bringing together natural and human resources. In years past, people with similar interests have felt isolated, as islands, while living almost next door to one another. Polk County is one of just two counties in the state of Wisconsin to currently NOT host a Christmas Bird Count.  Scientists have identified Northwest Wisconsin as a "black hole" for citizen science data in recent years. It seems we have an inspired call for organization.  It is our hope that by starting an enthusiastic chapter of the National Audubon Society in our
greater community, we will better be able to contribute information and foster conservation for this delicate, beautiful, and ecologically wealthy part of the world. We will network better with one another, spark ideas, and create a better future, while having fun, celebrating, and enjoying together birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and flowering plants. We aim to protect Northwest Wisconsin's biological diversity amid our own rich and wonderful human diversity.

We are excited to have received permission to name our Audubon chapter in honor of the late Gaylord Nelson-- Earth Day Founder, ecological visionary, founding member of our National Wild and Scenic Rivers. Governor Nelson grew up here in Polk County, and it was the beauty of this place that inspired him to accomplish his many great works.