WSO Menu

Promoting the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin's birds.

Staff

    Executive Director Alicia King  executive.director@wsobirds.org Alicia Craig-King is the Executive Director of Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. Alicia started the position part-time at the end of May in 2025. She recently retired from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory where she was the Director of Communication & Science Delivery. Prior to... Read More   

2025 WSO Convention Information

We hope you will join us in May for Birding the Bluffs! The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology is pleased to present our 83rd annual convention May 15-18 in La Crosse - Onalaska at the Stoney Creek Hotel. It includes the features we have all come to love: field trips, first-day social gathering, our awards ceremony, important discussions, and a banquet followed by an engaging keynote address.... Read More   

Committees

Annual Convention The committee organizes the annual WSO convention each spring. Chair: Steve Holzman convention@wsobirds.org Awards Chair: Wendy Schultzawards@wsobirds.org Badger Birder Newsletter THE BADGER BIRDER is an 11-issue per year newsletter that covers WSO events and activities, conservation issues, and other bird-related news. Editor: Carl... Read More   

History of WSO

In 2019, the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (WSO) celebrated a major milestone – our 80th anniversary as an organization. For 80 years, WSO has been one of the largest and most active ornithological organizations in the nation, and our accomplishments have been impressive. Throughout our history, we have sponsored birding field trips, hosted annual conventions, published a quarterly journal... Read More   

Code of Ethics

The WSO Code of Ethics encourages birders to protect wildlife, the natural environment, and the rights of others through a set of guidelines. Recent debates over posting rare bird locations, baiting, and the general question of harassment caused WSO to update these guidelines and address those concerns. Our hope is that this revised Code of Ethics helps the Wisconsin birding community make... Read More   

Awards

  Nominations are now open for submission. The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Awards Program recognizes individuals or organizations who have made outstanding achievements in advancing bird conservation, promoting the field of ornithology, and contributing to the Society. The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Board of Directors selects recipients based on nominations received during... Read More   

Honey Creek Preserve

Video about our latest bird banding at Honey Creek Harold and Carla Kruse Honey Creek Nature Preserve The establishment of the Honey Creek Nature Preserve is largely attributed to one individual: Harold G. Kruse. After discovering the Honey Creek valley in the 1940s, Harold vowed to preserve the incredible natural beauty of this unique place. He acted as an ambassador to the Honey Creek... Read More   

Strategic Plan

The WSO embarked on a planning process in July 2023 to set direction and hone priorities as it continues to evolve. Stakeholder perspectives informed the process. A stakeholder engagement process was initiated to gather perspectives from members, volunteers, related representatives, and interested parties. Interviews were conducted with about 20 stakeholders who represented like-missioned... Read More   

Board Members

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology has a Board of Directors composed of five officers and up to 20 directors. Members of the Board are elected for a term of three years and may serve more than one term. The President and Vice President are limited to two one-year terms each. All Board members serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated for their contributions to the Society. Officers... Read More   

About Us

The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1939. Our mission is: promoting the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds. We provide opportunities for all people to enjoy resident and migratory birds, while being a leading steward of and ambassador for Wisconsin birds. WSO sponsors birding field trips throughout the year, hosts an... Read More   

become a memberWe welcome all birders!

donate todayHelp us promote the enjoyment, study and conservation of Wisconsin's birds!

become a memberWe welcome all birders!

donate todayHelp us promote the enjoyment, study and conservation of Wisconsin's birds!