Neda Mine is an abandoned iron ore mine, the collapsed tunnels and shafts of which, now serve as bat habitat. Located in Dodge County, the location of Neda Mine will not be disclosed here as it is a sensitive site and not open to the public.
I was fortunate to visit this site as part of a field trip. Though we did not enter the mine, we were able to see the bats up closed as several were collected from mist nets and then examined for health issues. An amazing experience was had as we sat quietly outside the mine entrances and thousands upon thousands of bats flitted about the moonlit night. On this night, the specter of white-nose syndrome and its terrible effects on bats was temporarily forgotten. Its inexorable march, however, did continue and has forced the cancellation of this trip in recent years. Here is to hoping that the bat populations in Wisconsin are able to whether this proverbial storm and continue their nightime adventures.
More of my photos (and full-res) from Neda Mine can be viewed here.
Additional Information
| SNA # | 144 |
| County | Dodge |
| Natural Communities / Geology | Cave |
| Size (Acres) | n/a |
| Parking | n/a |
| Trails | n/a |
| Easy to Find | No |
| Best Seen By | Foot |
| Marked Boundaries | No |
| Ownership | UW Board of Regents |
| Located Within |
n/a |
| Dates Visited | 8.31.12 |
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Location not disclosed |
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State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 