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Respected Writer and Naturalist on the Wisconsin River Remembered

S Bence

Jean Clausen spent many years living on the Wisconsin River and working to protect habitat, especially for bald eagles.
“There are areas that are still partly owned and if the owners want to sell, we have to get in there and try to convince them to do an easement instead,” she said.

She led by example - Clausen and her husband sold the first scenic easement on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway in 1989, and helped create the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council.

Clausen was a prolific observer and writer. Her “From the Riverbank” column in the Sauk Prairie Star launched in 1975, and continued until September, 2014.

Jean died on November 21, at the age of 99. Friends will celebrate her life this Sunday in Prairie du Sac.

This is a profile of Jean Clausen that aired on Earth Day 2011.

Susan is WUWM's environmental reporter.