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POST WORLD-WAR II PRODUCTION The plant closed shortly after the war ended, but was maintained in readiness until the outbreak of the Korean conflict, when about 5000 workers again produced smokeless and rocket powder. Near the end of this war, a new section was built to produce ball powder. The plant was kept in stand-by mode again until 1966, when it began production for the Vietnam War. During the ensuing 10 years, the plant produced nearly as much propellant as it had for the first two wars combined. It was the focus of at least two antiwar protests and an unsuccessful aerial bombing by protester Karleton Armstrong, whose uncle had been killed by an accidental explosion at the plant in 1945. Armstrong eventually blew up Sterling Hall at UW-Madison in protest of the war. At the end of Vietnam era production, new facilities were built to produce acids and nitroglycerin. Other facilities were eventually constructed to clean groundwater contaminated by earlier, unsafe disposal practices, and polluted soil and other materials were treated or land-filled. A "buffer" area used for wildlife conservation eventually developed into a 1400-acre area for prairie and savanna restoration, managed with several partners. The plant was kept at ready until the announcement of its impending excession, in 1997. This was part of a larger decision to decommission ordnance plants no longer needed after the Cold War. Salvage of some redundant production lines at the Badger Plant began soon thereafter. |
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Our Goals Our mission statement and goals were developed as part of our strategic planning process in the spring of 2002, after incorporating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. |
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Volunteer Work parties are a great way to meet others who are interested in conservation, the Sauk Prairie, or the Badger Army Ammunition Plant. It also presents a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Wisconsin's native prairie and savanna communities! |
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History of the Badger Lands The history of the Badger Plant and the greater Sauk Prairie is an amalgam of many histories, beginning billions of years ago with the formation of some of the oldest and most durable rocks on earth... |
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Imagine! Badger presents the opportunity to provide endless recreational pursuits for area residents, including hiking, photography, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and camping. |
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Become a Member We have over 200 members and we are growing! We need your support to continue to work toward a community-based conservation future for Badger. |