All Aboard!:
An Autumn Train and Trail Eco-tour Recap

Even though the Autumn Train and Trail Eco-tour was a full 12-hour expedition, the day passed just like the view of railroad ties from the front of a train: one rapidly approaching adventure after the next!

Morning arrived on September 29th, the day of the premiere Train and Trail eco-tour, and along with the sun arrived hundreds of excited passengers at the corner of Hancock and Wilson Street. While waiting to board the train, many passengers were defeating the morning chill, and the last vestiges of sleep, with a hot cup of coffee and all passengers were ready with tickets in hand. Almost 300 people boarded a passenger train from Madison to Spring Green this past Saturday to experience a train ride and a day of eco-tours.

The Autumn Train and Trail Eco-tour exemplified what can happen when magnificent ideas are mixed with strong partnerships and a good cause. Sustain Dane, in partnership with Wisconsin and Southern Rail and the Spring Green Chamber of Commerce, organized this trip to Spring Green, complete with tours at Otter Creek Organic Farm, Cedar Grove Cheese Factory, Local Choice Farm Market and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hillside School.

The Train and Trail was organized as the culminating event of the International Eco-tourism Society’s North American Conference, held September 26th-28th in Madison, however the vast majority of the people on the tour were from the Capital city region. While the tour highlighted the ability of urban regions to offer eco-tourism, the day’s events also educated many area residents about the existence of train infrastructure in the region and the positive impacts of sustainable and local business.

The impetus behind the eco-tour came from a Madisonian named Phil Lewis and his friendship with Sustain Dane‘s Executive Director, Bryant Moroder. Lewis is an “authentic midwestern visionary” and has focused for forty years on identifying key patterns of the vast midwestern landscape that should be preserved "for further generations". A key tool for landscape preservation, according to Lewis, is the incorporation of trains into all of our current and future planning.

Mr. Lewis revers Frank Lloyd Wright for his organic architecture and use of local resources, and it was therefore even more fitting that the tours on Saturday visited Wright’s Hillside School to experience this type of architecture first hand. Participants learned, at this internationally recognized destination, about Wright’s life: punctuated by drama and remembered as brilliant.

At Otter Creek Organic Farm, passengers sampled cheese from a family dairy that uses mineralized, balanced agriculture. By focusing on the health of the soil, the quality of the feed grown on the farm is improved and the overall health of the herd is enhanced….naturally. No pesticides, no antibiotics. The farm manager, Gary Zimmerman, kept audiences rapt with his contagious energy and many people left yearning to read his book and learn more.

Participants learned all about a natural, water filtration system at the Cedar Grove Cheese Factory called The Living MachineTM, a real working ecosystem. Cedar Grove, after 125 years of experience, has also perfected the art of cheese-making and shared some of their award winning cheeses with the tours. At Local Choice Farm market, not only could participants sample many different delectables from around the local area, but they could also, thankfully, fill up on a cup of Kickapoo coffee!

The train departed Spring Green with the typical double whistle signifying departure, and passengers were on their way back to Madison once again. On the return ride more quality food - chocolate, cheese, trail mix - and camaraderie - singing and laughing - were shared. Sustain Dane also ran a contest for all of those participants who handed in an evaluation for the day. Moroder drew one lucky winner from the pile of evaluations who is now the new proud owner of a Sustain Dane Rain Barrel.

As 7:30pm approached, the tour was drawing to a close without a hitch the entire day. But we all know every good tour needs an un-planned escapade. Just as a the train was within one mile of the unloading zone, it came to a halt. A rather un-aware car driver had parked his car too close to the track and the train could not proceed. Passengers remained extremely patient while the police and tow-truck were called, realizing that almost anything can happen on a Saturday home football game day!

Sustain Dane, Wisconsin and Southern, and Spring Green would like to thank every single person who participated and made the day so special. May everyone build and act on what they learned during the Train and Trail Eco-tour to help protect our region “for further generations.”

Pictures from the event can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/14489856@N07/