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

  • 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.
  • 2/18/24 – Winter Walk at Pope Farm Conservancy
    Sunday, February 18, 2024 (1:00-2:00 pm) The Friends group will be hosting a Winter Walk at Pope Farm Conservancy on Sunday, February 18th, 2024, at 1PM. Come join us for a one-hour stroll through the conservancy. We’ll explore the hiking…
  • 2/6/24 – “Ho-Chunk History: Past, Present & Future” Talk with William (Nąąwącekğize) Quackenbush
    Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 (6:00PM) Speaker: William “Nąąwącekǧize” Quackenbush, Ho-Chunk Nation Preservation Representative Location: Pope Elementary School, 816 Schewe Rd., Middleton, WI 53562 in the Large Group Instruction (LGI) room Option to Watch Live via Zoom – Register Here: https://bit.ly/4b4UWTT The…
  • Winter Information and Parking Reminder
    Above: Members of the Programs Committee lead a winter snowshoe outing around the conservancy. Pope Farm Conservancy is open from sunrise to sunset year-round. The Blackhawk Parking lot off Blackhawk Road is typically closed through the winter months, so we…
  • FOPFC Gifts and Apparel
    This holiday season, we’ve got the perfect gifts for the nature lovers in your life! When you purchase FOPFC logo gear (t-shirt, sweatshirt, tote bag, or mug), a portion of every sale goes directly to the Friends of Pope Farm…
  • 9/22/23 – Seed Collection: Volunteers Needed
    The FOPFC Restoration Team is looking for volunteers to help collect prairie plant seeds at Pope Farm Conservancy. Seed collection is easy to do, and it’s an enjoyable way to spend a couple hours in nature.No experience required. All sessions…

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

2024 Nature Photography Contest

We are hosting another photo contest this year to celebrate the beauty of Pope Farm Conservancy! The contest is open to amateur photographers of all ages. Judging of the photos will be done by our partners at PhotoMidwest, and the winners will be announced in late summer and awarded at the Friends’ annual summer picnic in August. Entries due July 20th. Learn More…

Nest Box Walking Tour

Date: Saturday, May 25, 2024, 1PM
Location: Pope Farm Conservancy, lower parking lot.
Discussion: Join us for an exhilarating exploration into the fascinating world of cavity-nesting birds! This is a great opportunity to learn about the nest boxes placed around Pope Farm Conservancy. Learn first hand what species use nest boxes and the type of habitat they need. Nest box type, poles and predator guards will be explained, as well. Learn More…

Keep Calm and Hike On

Pope Farm Conservancy remains open to the public, 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. We encourage all visitors to practice social distancing while enjoying the health benefits of being outdoors.

The conservancy is a great place to enjoy hiking, take photos, watch wildlife, learn about geology and the history of the land, and so much more!  Whether you need some fresh air or exercise after being inside for hours, the trails and viewscapes remain a local treasure.

Volunteer Opportunities

Join our Programs Team!

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

Join us on Monday, June 10th, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at the Middleton Library for a discussion about our 2024 events and programs at Pope Farm Conservancy. Much work as already been done to arrange for speakers next year, but more help is needed!

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.