Blackhawk Island State Natural Area protects an island in the Wisconsin River that is wooded with a variety of tree species and a plethora of ferns. Owned by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and managed by the UW Division of Extension, the site is operated as an outdoor learning center and self-described “river…
Tag: UW Board of Regents
Sapa Spruce Bog (328/693)
Sapa Spruce Bog State Natural Area encompasses a black spruce-tamarack bog in west-central Ozaukee County. Owned by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and managed by the UW-Milwaukee Field Station, the site represents the southernmost black spruce bog in Wisconsin. Though relatively small for an SNA at only 24 acres, Sapa Spruce Bog packs…
Bear Creek Cave (310/687)
Bear Creek Cave is exactly what its name describes, a cave. It is closed to the public and its location is not disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the site and past vandalism issues. This ninth-largest cave in the state is home to several bat species and a number of cave-preferring and endemic invertebrate…
Cedarburg Beech Woods (240/679)
Cedarburg Beech Woods is comprised of a southern mesic forest on rolling topogrpahy dominated by beech and maple. The site is located on Saint Augustine Road just southwest of the UWM Field Station and pulling to the side of this gravel road is your only parking option. First and foremost, however, permssion to visit this…
Finnerud Pine Forest, SNA #31 (222/675)
Finnerud Pine Forest encompasses an old-growth red pine forest, bog, and lake shoreline. The site is owned by the University of Wisconsin System via the Board of Regents and is managed by the UW Arboretum. Visits require advanced permission. I am grateful to the UW Arboretum for allowing me to visit the several natural areas…
Cedarburg Bog (196/675)
Cedarburg Bog, a National Natural Landmark, features a variety of wetland natural communities surrounding several lakes. Public access is available from the north on STH 33 and from the south on Cedar Sauk Road. A trail leads from the former to one of the lakes. From the latter, a roadside pull-off, an unimproved trail leads…
Renak-Polak Maple-Beech Woods (192/675)
Renak-Polak Maple-Beech Woods features southern mesic and wet-mesic forests on level topography just east of the Root River in Racine County. There is no recommended parking and I would not suggest the roadside due to the lack of a shoulder and narrowness of the road. Linwood Park is located just southwest and would probably be…
Mayville Ledge Beech-Maple Woods, SNA #143 (186/675)
Mayville Ledge Beech-Maple Woods features a half-mile long exposure of the Niagara Escarpment topped by a mixed forest consisting of primarily maple and beech, the latter of which is rare in the area. Previous posts on the Niagara Escarpment include: Bayshore Blufflands, Oakfield Ledge, Red Banks Alvar, Ellison Bluff, and High Cliff Escarpment. The only parking…
Toft Point, SNA #57 (115/675)
Toft Point contains a wide range of natural communities on a peninsula between Moonlight Bay and Baileys Harbor. To reach the site, take the access lane off of Ridges Road, about 1.5 miles east of the intersection of STH 57 and Ridges Road. A parking area and trailhead can be found there. Alternatively, continue on…
State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 