Wings Over Alma, Inc. is a multi-purpose organization seeking to enhance and promote awareness of the Upper Mississippi River environment, eagles and wildlife by advocating conservation ethics through educational programs; and raise the level of arts and crafts appreciation through demonstrations and exhibitions by area artisans. Web corner photograph courtesy of Wings Over Alma.
VISIT THE NATURE & ART CENTER It's unusual for a Nature Center to be located in an urban area, right on Main Street. We are open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The memorable experiences available to our visitors are greatly impacted by the natural area that makes up Alma, Wisconsin located in the midst of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. The influences on our local and regional artists are apparent in the exceptional artworks they create. This is the uniqueness of the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center.
The area hosts hundreds of bald eagles, with many active nests. Herons are abundant. Rieck's Lake offers opportunities to view migrating tundra swans, usually in March and November. Much of the continent's waterfowl population uses the Mississippi Flyway during migration, and half of the world's canvasback ducks stop in the refuge.
In addition to the migration of waterfowl, dozens of species of songbirds take advantage of this area with peak spring migration from mid-March to mid-May and peak fall migation from mid-October to the end of November.
During the summer months, morning valley fog from the Buffalo River and Beef Slough creeps out onto the Mississippi River and it adds a wonderful mystique to the landscape and waterways. Backroad driving offers beautiful views throughout the year but the autumn color which peaks in October makes the experience unforgettable. Sugar maple, walnut, birch, basswood, oak and hickory display vibrant colors on the bluffs surrounding the Mississippi River and the many valleys of scenic Buffalo County.
Winter reveals interesting ice and snow patterns on the frozen river, along with occasional hoarfrost and active bald eagles. During the coldest parts of winter, the Mississippi River freezes over, except for areas immediately downstream from Lock & Dam #4. Bald eagles congregate around this open pool of water to feed and they can be seen directly from the viewing deck of the Nature & Art Center.
Alma is one of many historic river towns along the Great River Road, a collection of state, provincial, federal, and local roads that follow the course of the Mississippi River through ten U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. The stretch that passes through Alma is designated a National Scenic Byway - a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, or scenic qualities.
Downtown Alma has several shops, galleries, gift stores and the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center. There are restaurants and a restored bakery as well as many lodging options housed in a variety of fascinating 19th-century waterfront buildings.
Historic Alma is a wonderful stop on the Great River Road/National Scenic Byway, perched on a narrow strip of land between the Mississippi River and 500-foot limestone bluffs. The historic river town of less than 1,000 is only two streets wide and has 12 stairstep streets connecting Main Street, Wisconsin Hwy 35, to 2nd Street. Alma is listed on America's National Register of Historic Places because of its preservation of waterfront nineteenth century buildings built into the river bluffs in the style of a European village (a carryover from the city's original Swiss and German settlers).
Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center 118 N Main Street Post Office Box 191 Alma, Wisconsin 54610 Open Daily, 10am -5pm Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter
Alma has a courtesy dock downtown for boaters, boat ramps at both the north and south ends of town, two full service marinas with house boat rentals, a fishing float, and a 300-foot sand swimming beach along the river equipped with a lifeguard during the summer season. Visit Buena Vista Park, atop the bluffs 500 feet above the river. The park has picnic areas and some of the most spectacular views found on the Upper Mississippi. Below Lock and Dam #4, during the winter, in the open water area there are times you can see 50-100 Bald Eagles.
Right in the heart of the town is Lock and Dam No. 4. It has observation areas with close views of lock operations and a large parking area. The Great Alma Fishing Float has been an attraction to fishermen for years, and is particularly popular during the annual walleye run. It is located next to Lock & Dam Number 4 on the Mississippi River. The Upper Mississippi River Fish & Wildlife Reserve is a major nesting ground for bald eagles that can be observed with great frequency from Alma's riverbank and the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center.
WOA Nature & Art Center 118 N Main Street, Alma, Wisconsin (608) 685-3303 center@wingsoveralma.orgHours: 10am-5pm Copyright (c) 2007-2012 Wings Over Alma All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesty of Katherine Goodman and all rights are reserved.
