A Landscape with a Long Story

Thanks to the support of Wisconsin land surveyors, we celebrate the March 10, 2026, groundbreaking of the future site of 10 interpretive panels that will tell the sweeping story of Sun Prairie’s Patrick Marsh — from glacier to wetland, from early Indigenous history to the first European settlers, to its 1990s comeback as a vibrant, biodiverse ecosystem. The full Story of Patrick Marsh installation will open to the public on June 1, 2026.

At 340 acres, Patrick Marsh is Sun Prairie’s largest park. It stands as a living classroom, a wildlife refuge, and a community treasure restored through decades of collaboration among local leaders, volunteers, schools, and conservation partners.

The Story of Patrick Marsh project is inspired by Bill Wambach, a land surveyor and Wisconsin Department of Transportation engineer whose dedication to conservation helped shape the marsh’s modern identity. During the reconstruction of Highway 151 in the early 1990s, Wambach played a key role in developing Patrick Marsh as Wisconsin’s first wetland mitigation bank, demonstrating how transportation infrastructure and environmental stewardship can align through thoughtful planning and precise land management.

Surveyors Who Shaped the Region

Surveying history is woven directly into this landscape. The interpretive panels highlight the foundational work of Lucius Lyon, who established Wisconsin’s Point of Beginning in 1831. In 1833, John Mullet and John Brink documented the Patrick Marsh area during the federal Public Land Survey, establishing the township boundaries that would become Bristol Township. One year later, Orson Lyon and his crew returned to subdivide the township into sections — creating the framework that guided settlement, land ownership, and resource management for generations.

A Viewing Platform That Brings Surveying to Life 

“Thanks to the support of the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors, The Story of Patrick Marsh also features a viewing platform that will educate visitors about how surveyors use a meander corner as a land reference,” says longtime Wisconsin land surveyor Dan Birrenkott, co-chair of the Story of Patrick Marsh Committee. 

Sponsored by the Wisconsin land surveying community in memory of Frank Thousand, the platform will give visitors a rare opportunity to see how meander corners function in boundary interpretation — a connection between surveying practice and the landscape itself.

Acknowledging the Surveying Community

The Story of Patrick Marsh would not be possible without the generosity and leadership of Wisconsin’s land surveying community. This project has been strengthened by contributions from the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors, the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors Foundation, the Madison Area Surveyors Council, and the WSLS Northeast Chapter, along with support from individual surveyors and firms statewide.

Their collective commitment has helped fund the interpretive panels, the educational viewing platform, and the long-term vision for enhancing public understanding of Wisconsin’s surveying heritage. “To date, we have raised approximately $75,000 – about half of the funds needed to complete this project,” says Birrenkott. 

Through their contributions, Wisconsin surveyors are not only honoring the legacy of those who first mapped this landscape — they are investing in its future. To learn more about, contact how to contribute to this project, contact Birrenkott at (608) 712-1331.

“We are very proud of this project,” says Birrenkott. He invites the land surveying community to visit Patrick Marsh this summer with friends and families. “It’s a beautiful place to share the history of land surveying in Wisconsin and the story of your chosen profession.”

Author Note

This article is written by Joyce Hastings, a member of The Story of Patrick Marsh Committee. Through her brother Dan Birrenkott’s storytelling and passion for this project, she has gained a greater appreciation for the role professional land surveyors play in our everyday lives – past and present. 

Registration is officially open for the WSLS Annual Institute, happening January 21–23, 2026 at the Kalahari in the Wisconsin Dells! Join surveyors from across the state for three days of education, connection, and professional growth.

Register now: https://www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/WI-Surveyors-Institute.aspx

Don’t forget to book your room! The WSLS room block at the Kalahari is now open. Reserve early to secure your spot: https://book.passkey.com/event/51086897/owner/49796246/home

WSLS is accepting nominations for three awards: the Young Surveyor, Professional Land Surveyor, and Lifetime Achievement awards. These award are designed to honor the contributions and dedication of our members who work to promote and advance our society.

Nominations are open now and will remain available until November 1, 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to recognize your peers who have made impacts in our field. The awards will be presented during our Annual Institute, celebrating those who have been selected according to the established guidelines. We encourage all members to participate in this process and look forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements at the Annual Institute!

Forms available here.

The First Year Summer Scholarship is now open for application. Please visit https://wsls.org/WSLS-Foundation-first-year-student-scholarship for more details. 

Application closes May 15th.

Get ready for sunshine, learning, and lakeside fun! Registration is officially open for our Summer Meeting, hosted by the Northern Lakes Chapter, at the Holiday Acres Resort in beautiful Rhinelander, WI from August 14th to 16th.

Earn up to 8 Professional Development Hours while enjoying a relaxing getaway with your family. Holiday Acres Resort offers stunning scenery and plenty of activities. Bring your boat and experience the best of Wisconsin's Northwoods!

Register today!

Congratulations to WSLS Member, Troy Hewitt, PLS at Robert E. Lee & Associates, Inc. for winning the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) 2024 Map/Plat Design Competition in the Subdivision Plats category! Troy's map was submitted after he won at the WSLS Annual Institute.

Don’t forget to submit your map to the WSLS Map/Plat Contest by December 7. Who knows—you might win the national contest, but you'll never know if you don’t enter!

Room block released for the 76th Institute occurring January 22-24, 2025 at the Kalahari in the Wisconsin Dells!

Room block: Please use this link. The hotel cut-off is Saturday, December 21, 2024.

Registration will be available soon. For more information, please view the Annual Institute page.

The Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors is committed to honoring the achievements and dedication of our members. To celebrate those who go above and beyond for the advancement of our society, we have created three prestigious awards to be presented at the Annual Institute.

Nominations are now open until November 1. We invite you to nominate your peers who have made significant contributions to WSLS and the land surveying profession.

To submit a nomination, please go here.

We’re excited to announce the launch of our freshly redesigned website! Our new website provides a modern, user-friendly design that makes it easier than ever to stay informed and connected.

What's New?

• Enhanced Navigation: Find what you’re looking for quickly with our improved menu structure and search functionality.

• Mobile-Friendly Design: Enjoy a seamless browsing experience on any device, whether you’re at home or on the go.

• Updated Content: Access the latest information on events, ways to become involved, and grow in the surveying field.

We invite you to explore the new site and discover all the enhancements designed to serve you better. Your feedback is invaluable, so please let us know what you think!

Join us for the WSLS 2024 Summer Meeting!

The Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors’ Southwest Chapter invites you to the Summer Meeting from July 25-27, 2024, at the beautiful Spring Valley Inn in Spring Green, WI!

Highlights:

• Enjoy the charming town of Spring Green
• Educational sessions with speakers
• A visit to the Spring Green Monument
• Exciting activities like a golf outing and trap shooting contest
• Membership meeting to be held on July 27 at 1 pm

Location: Spring Valley Inn, 6279 CR-C, Spring Green, WI 53588

Dates: July 25-27, 2024

Cost: $125/person (includes seminar, CEUs, meals, and 2 drink tickets)

More Information & Registration: WSLS Summer Meeting 2024