Links

The first few link enables you to keep track of progress in the multi-year rephotography project of HH Bennett's work. MOst of the rest of the links are to organizations that I work with to protect our environment and preserve our natural resources. I can assure you that these groups make a difference! Learn about these groups and support them if you can.

Fast Forward: The H.H. Bennett Rephotography Project The H.H. Bennett Rephotography Project during Phase 1 involves re-shooting about 18 of Bennett's original locations in the Upper and Lower Dells and other areas in Sauk County. This will lead to exhibitions of the original and new images and discussions of what they mean. The eventual goal is to re-shoot 100 Bennett locations.

Sauk County Historical Society It is the mission of the Sauk County Historical Society to protect and maintain the history of the county by collecting, preserving, and exhibiting artifacts, photographs and documents relative to that history; by disseminating knowledge via community outreach programs; by providing research services, and by assisting other historical societies in Sauk County.

Stewards of the Dells of the Wisconsin River The Dells of the Wisconsin River contains some of the most beautiful and threatened scenic and recreation resources in the Midwestern United States. Increasing pressure for riverfront development in the Dells area threatens to mar the natural beauty of the Dells of the Wisconsin River with highly visible resorts, condominiums and homes, degrading the environment and forever changing the natural beauty of the Dells. Since April 2006, the Stewards of the Dells of the Wisconsin River has sought to protect the 15 miles of shore frontage along the Upper and Lower Dells from Nine Eagles to the Rocky Islands, including such famous landmarks as Stand Rock and the Rocky Islands of the Lower Dells, by supporting the work of the DNR, local and county governments, businesses, landowners, and civic groups and concerned citizens with an interest in preserving the beauty and environment of the Dells of the Wisconsin River.

H.H. Bennett Museum and Studio Henry Hamilton Bennettopened his first studio in 1865. It has the distinction of being the oldest operating business in Wisconsin Dells. In 1875 he moved into the current studio he designed on Broadway. It has been in continuous operation ever since and is believed to be the oldest operating photography studio in the United States. Bennett’s family ran the business until 1998 when they donated the property to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Photography historians consider Bennett one of the best landscape photographers of the 19th century, considered the "Golden Age of Landscape Photography." Today the studio continues to house many of Bennett's original photographs, glass plate negatives, photography inventions, cameras and equipment.

Wisconsin Historical Society's H.H. Bennett Collection During a career that lasted from 1865 to 1908, H.H. Bennett photographed the rugged landscape of his beloved Wisconsin Dells, and became one of the premier photographers of the era. He captured the Wisconsin River, its rock formations, tourist visitors, lumber rafters, Ho-Chunk residents, steamboats and much more. Bennett loved the natural landscape of the river and spent his life conveying its beauty and many moods to the public. As a photographer he also traveled the state and regions nearby to create stunning images of Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Chicago. In Milwaukee Bennett applied his artistry to street scenes and the harbor; in Minneapolis he focused his lens on the Winter carnival and its ice palace; in Chicago he created unique images of popular large scale panorama paintings such as the Gettysburg Cyclorama and of the Columbian Exposition of 1893. For the Exposition, he also photographed Wisconsin state educational, welfare, and penal institutions.

WisconsinMade.com An Internet specialty food and gift store featuring products made with Pride and Passion in Wisconsin. Features selected items from Pielsticker Photos.

Baraboo Range Preservation Association The Baraboo Range Preservation Association is a land trust that works to preserve and protect the qualities and culture of the Baraboo Range through promotion of ecologically responsible land use. (The BRPA uses several exclusive images by Bill Pielsticker as donor premiums.)

Natural Resource Foundation of Wisconsin Our mission is to create opportunities for people who care about Wisconsin's lands, waters and wildlife to deepen their understanding and appreciation for these natural resources, to support state and local conservation programs, and to establish conservation endowments. NRF accomplishes that mission by raising funds for: Rare and Endangered Species, Habitat Protection & Restoration, Community-Based Conservation, Environmental Education & Outreach and General Support for the DNR. Many endangered resources, habitats, conservation organizations and government agencies have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from Foundation support.

NHLT The Natural Heritage Land Trust is located in Madison, Wisconsin. It is dedicated to the protection and preservation of natural areas in and around Dane County through conservation easements, land donations and education. Pielsticker Photos has worked with the DCNHF on its efforts to preserve the area around Fish Lake in northern Dane County, and looks forward to work with them on other preservation issues.

Northwoods Land Trust The Northwoods Land Trust (NWLT) is a non-profit, tax-exempt conservation organization headquartered in Eagle River, Wisconsin. We work with property owners who care about their land so much that they want to see it protected long into the future. NWLT encourages and accepts conservation easements on property with natural or scenic resource values. After a voluntary land protection agreement (conservation easement) is granted, the land trust provides long-term stewardship of the protected land so the resource values are preserved in accordance with the landowner's wishes. NWLT covers areas of Vilas, Oneida, Forest, Florence, Iron and Price Counties in north central Wisconsin. This is the heart of Wisconsin's northwoods lake country and includes one of the highest concentrations of inland freshwater lakes in the world. This northwoods region, however, is also being developed at one of the fastest rates in the state. The time is critical to encourage private landowners interested in leaving a lasting legacy of unspoiled land, forest, water and wildlife. Now more than ever, we need your participation to protect our beautiful northwoods.

Gathering Waters Conservancy Gathering Waters Conservancy’s mission is to help land trusts, landowners and communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special. Our goal is to increase the amount of protected land in the state through private voluntary action. We are a statewide service center for Wisconsin’s land trust community, and we build the capacity of the state’s private, non-profit conservation organizations through consulting, public education, and policy advocacy.

Ice Age Trail Alliance (formerly Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation) The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand-mile footpath — entirely within Wisconsin — that celebrates the legacy of the Ice Age. Diverse geological features along the Trail rank among the finest examples of continental glaciation anywhere in the world. Beyond any textbook, the Ice Age Trail lets us see and touch glacial history. The Ice Age Trail Alliance (formerly Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation), a volunteer- and member-based non-profit organization, protects, promotes, builds and maintains the Ice Age Trail. Ice Age Trail Alliance staff and volunteers work cooperatively with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, local governments, businesses and private landowners to shape the Ice Age Trail into one of the premier hiking trails in the United States. Your support as a new member, volunteer or sponsor is always very welcome.

John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club The John Muir Chapter (JMC) is the Wisconsin branch of the Sierra Club, and includes about 15,000 members. Our chapter was founded in 1963 by Norm O’Neill of Milwaukee. We currently have eight local Groups and three specialty groups in Wisconsin. Our Chapter was named after famous conservationist, John Muir, who was born in Scotland but spent his young adult years on a Wisconsin farm near Portage until 1862. He also attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison before trekking west to form the Sierra Club in 1892. John Muir’s philosophy is embodied by the Wisconsin Chapter, who strives to continue his legacy of wilderness conservation into the future.

Wisconsin's Nature Conservancy Across Wisconsin, we have identified approximately 13 million acres in need of conservation activity and taken a leadership role in the protection of some of our state’s most critical landscapes. These areas include the Baraboo Hills in Sauk and Columbia counties, the Door Peninsula, the Chequamegon Bay watershed on Lake Superior, the Mukwonago River watershed in southeast Wisconsin, and the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage area in southwest Wisconsin.

So. Wisc. Trout Unlimited The Southern Wisconsin chapter of Trout Unlimited. Dedicated to preserve, protect, and restore our coldwater fisheries in and around Dane County. For meeting information, projects, newsletters, and contact information, visit their website.

Wisconsin Trout Unlimited This is the site for the Wisconsin TU State Council, representing all Wisconsin chapters of Trout Unlimited. Visit here for information on State Council business and policies, as well as listings of all the state TU chapters and links to some of their individual websites.

WI League of Conservation Voters The WLCV is a nonprofit organization dedicated to electing conservation leaders to the Wisconsin legislature, and encouraging lawmakers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect the state's public health and natural resources. I am proud to serve on the board of directors and encourage you to check us out.