The Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s Children’s Shack is a historically accurate, 3/4 size replica of Aldo Leopold’s famous retreat in Sauk county. Designed to teach children about Aldo Leopold and the simplicity with which he lived on the Wisconsin landscape, The Children’s Shack was created as a joint project of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, the Aldo Leopold Foundation, and The Renschler Company, who donated materials and labor. Local craftsmen, carpenters, building suppliers, and community members also contributed to the project.
The Original Shack and Aldo Leopold
Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) is known for his thoughtful essays and practical approach to land use. He was an internationally-respected scientist and conservationist, instrumental in formulating policy, promoting wilderness, and restoring land health. He was influential in establishing the first official “wilderness area” in the United States (the Gila National Forest), helped create The Wilderness Society, and founded the field of Wildlife Ecology. But perhaps his biggest contribution was his articulation of “The Land Ethic” (that we are part of a natural community of interdependent parts) and his pioneering work in what is now known as restoration ecology – bringing land back to health.
Leopold’s “Shack” was originally an abandoned chicken coop that he and his family renovated in the late 1930’s as a weekend retreat near the Wisconsin River. At the Shack, Leopold and his family experimented with land restoration on a worn out farm in the sand counties of Wisconsin. It was this location that inspired most of the essays found in his landmark work, A Sand County Almanac. Published in 1949, the Almanac has been translated into nine different languages and is still studied around the world.
The original Shack is a small post-and-beam structure, constructed with castoffs, found windows and doors, and recycled wood planks. It has a fireplace made from local stone and originally had beds made out of snow fencing and hay. It is considered a Mecca for environmentalists, historians, and educators, and has the distinction of being the only chicken coop on the National Register of Historic Places.
Shack Construction
Like the original Shack, the Children’s Shack was built with found objects and recycled materials. Siding from a demolished barn, flooring from 100-year old planks, local stone, and an assortment of old windows found at dump sites completed the project and followed Leopold’s practice of using materials that floated down river to his abandoned farm.
In addition, the contributions of others added to the authenticity of the project. Volunteer Kenneth Kidder donated hand-made copies of some of the rustic furniture found in the original Shack. Comments Kidder, “When you look at this furniture made from driftwood, old planks, and such, and the way it is made, it is so very unique. Leopold’s hand is all over this place.”
At its dedication, school children planted white pine seedlings around the building site, as Aldo Leopold and his children did at the original Shack over 60 years ago.
Bringing the Shack Experience to Children
While Leopold’s Shack is a thing of beauty, it is far too fragile for the tens of thousands of children, families, and teachers who wish to visit it each year. As a solution, ALNC’s Children’s Shack, was built as a teaching shelter to demonstrate how Leopold and his family lived simply and lightly on the land. The Children’s Shack honors Leopold’s philosophy to: “teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands.”
Shack Access
The Children’s Shack is only open for programming and public events, including Fall Fest and Maple Syrup Fest.
If you would like to discover the Original Shack in Sauk County, please visit the Aldo Leopold Foundation website.
