I often feel that having an SNA embedded within a larger property carries many positives and tends to have one negative. Generally speaking, the SNA is not marked particularly well within the confines of the larger protected area. This can make finding the SNA an interesting challenge at times and may require comparing the official topographic map (below) with an often hand-drawn preserve map (further below). Then, one can try and determine the marked trails that will lead to the best SNA access. In this case, the aerial imagery is also helpful, as trails are visible from above.

I don’t have particularly strong or exciting memories from this visit. I recall that it was a mid-October day and I wandered the trails amidst the amber waves of grain/grasses. Having not done the research described above at that point, I mostly stuck to the trails and headed to the creek, all the while knowing that I would be within the SNA boundaries so long as I did not stray too far north or south as I headed east along the creek.

I would like to revisit this site for several reasons: a more in-depth visit at a more botanically interesting time of year would be interesting. Additionally, I would like to check out the fen areas, including the disjunt parcel to the south and the eastern area of the SNA, which would likely involve some off-trail exploration (which I would seek approval for from the nature center prior to visiting). I would rate this a 8/10 on my random revisit scale.

Additional photos can be found on Flickr.

SNA #	197
County	Ozaukee
Natural Communities / Geology	Stream, Pond, Fen, Northern Wet-Mesic Forest
Size (Acres)	61
Parking	Parking Lot
Trails	Yes
Easy to Find	Yes
Best Seen By	Foot
Recommended Footwear	Hiking boots
Marked Boundaries	No
Ownership	Wisconsin DNR
Located Within	Riveredge Nature Center
Date(s) Visited	10.13.13