John Muir in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a long history of conservation and management, a strong environmental presence, and a love of shooting sports and outdoor recreation. There are many proud moments brought about by people from Wisconsin like John Muir whose ideas have led our nation down a path where we are blessed with the natural wonders we enjoy today.

Wisconsin-raised Muir is credited with creating the first wildlife sanctuary back in 1865. Muir bought the family farm in Marquette County from his brother for a wildflower sanctuary. That date stands in Wisconsin history as the year of mercy for all things natural, wild and free. On that farm he learned to love nature, recognized the force of glaciers, and decided the landscape needed to be protected, an utterly foreign concept at that time. Today, that land near Portage is named John Muir Memorial County Park.