WWA invites you to get your feet wet and experience the beauty and ecology of wetlands first hand on one of our upcoming field trips. (schedule below)
Unless otherwise noted, field trips are free for WWA members and $10 for non-members. To register for a field trip, email or call our office at 608-250-9971.
North Bay State Natural Area
Door County
Saturday, July 9, 8:30 - 12 noon
In partnership with: WI Natural Resources Foundation
Field trip leader: Mike Grimm
Call WWA to register: 608-250-9971
Visit North Bay, one of Wisconsin’s highest quality coastal wetlands and one of the last remaining undeveloped stretches of Lake Michigan shore on the Door Peninsula. It will be an easy hike but wear footgear that can get muddy and wet. The wetness will be dependent on the lake level. Bring rain gear if appropriate.
The North Bay landscape contains a diversity of high quality wetland plant communities including coastal marshes, a complex of forested dunes with associated ridge and swale topography, northern sedge meadow, calcareous fen, northern wet, wet-mesic and mesic forest. This area provides critical habitat for a wide diversity of migratory and nesting waterfowl and many rare, threatened and endangered species including numerous orchids, the federally-threatened dwarf lake iris, and the third largest known breeding population of the federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly. We will discuss the ecological processes that maintain the health of this wetland system along with the threats to those processes and the conservation response. Participants will also learn about invasive species like phragmites that threaten the site’s natural communities and efforts being made to control these invasives. We will be hiking on land acquired by The Nature Conservancy and designated as a State Natural Area.
Directions:
Due to limited parking at the SNA, participants will carpool from Bailey’s Harbor. Meet at 8:30 at the Bailey’s Harbor Town Hall parking lot (2392 County F, at intersection with Hwy 57). The site is about 9 miles from the Town Hall.
Farming and Conservation Together:
Long-term Efforts to Restore the Fairfield Marsh
Sauk and Columbia Counties
Saturday, July 16, 8:00 am - 12 noon (optional lunch in Baraboo to follow)
Field trip leaders: Rich Beilfuss (International Crane Foundation) with Ken Potter and Jennifer Williamson (UW-Madison)
Call WWA to register: 608-250-9971
A restored Fairfield Marsh, with as many as 5000 acres of sedge meadows, marshes, and tamarack swamps on muck soils near the Baraboo River, could be one of the largest and most productive wetlands in southern Wisconsin. Private landowners and conservation professionals are working together through Farming and Conservation Together (FACT) to enhance and restore critical habitat for migratory birds and other wetland species while preserving agricultural values in the Fairfield Marsh area. Join us to visit FACT sites and learn about the history and future of this landmark project, which has received national attention as a conservation model.
Directions:
We will meet at the wayside on Highway 33 at the intersection with Interstate 90/94. From Madison/Milwaukee area take 90/94 west to Exit 106 ramp and turn right at the stop sign onto Highway 33 West (towards Baraboo). After crossing over the interstate, turn left into the wayside parking lot opposite the BP gas station and Big O's trailers. Those coming from northwestern Wisconsin take 90/94 east to Exit 106 ramp and turn left onto 33 West, the wayside is immediately on your left. Note that the wayside public facilities are closed.
Swamp Metalmark Butterflies of Riveredge Nature Center
Ozaukee County
Saturday, July 16, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
In partnership with: Riveredge Nature Center
Field trip leader: Marc White
Call WWA to register: 608-250-9971
Join us for a walk at Riveredge Nature Center and visit a small fen that is home to a population of swamp metalmark butterflies. The swamp metalmark butterfly (Calephelis mutica) is rare throughout its range and is listed as endangered in Wisconsin. Swamp metalmarks are endangered in large part because of the rarity their habitat, alkaline fens, and their larval hostplant, swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum).
Come learn about the ecology of this rare species and its habitat. If the weather cooperates, we’ll have a chance to see metalmarks on the wing, nectaring and perching. These are fairly small butterflies, so we recommend bringing a pair of close-focusing binoculars. Trip will be cancelled in case of rain.
More on the Swamp metalmark:
wisconsinbutterflies.org
WDNR's website
Directions
Riveredge Nature Center is located at 4458 West Hawthorne Drive in Newburg, WI. For a map and directions, go to the Riveredge website.
Paddling Tour of Cherokee Marsh Restoration Project
Dane County
Saturday, August 20, 9:00 am - 12 noon
Field trip leader: Russ Hefty, Conservation Resource Supervisor, Madison Parks Division
Bring your own canoe or kayak
Limited to 15 boats; call WWA to register: 608-250-9971.
Participants will view wetland restoration efforts in the Yahara River at Cherokee Marsh. This area has lost more than 640 acres of wetlands in the past 150 years due to artificially high water levels set by the dam at Tenney Park. The sedge meadows along the river provide a unique habitat for a myriad of wildlife species. Sandhill cranes, herons, and a wide variety of waterfowl can be found in this wild stretch of the Yahara River.
Recommended items for participants to bring:
Insect repellent
Shoes that can get wet
Binoculars, field guides
Life vests
Canoe or Kayak (required)
Directions (click here for map):
Meet at the intersection of Burning Wood Way and Comanche Way. Travel north on Sherman Ave. until it intersects Wheeler Rd. Turn left onto Wheeler and then right onto Comanche Way and follow it until it forms a T-intersection with Burning Wood Way. Meet at this intersection.
Pontoon Boat Tour of Lake Koshkonong Wetlands
Jefferson/Rock County
Sunday, August 28, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
In partnership with: Lake Koshkonong Wetlands Association
Field trip leaders: Quentin Carpenter and representatives of Lake Koshkonong Wetlands Association
Limited space; call WWA to register: 608-250-9971
Relax and enjoy a pontoon boat ride while learning about the natural and cultural history of Lake Koshkonong and its wetlands. These wetlands provide important wildlife habitat along the Rock River corridor, but their health and continued existence are affected by a number of threats including operation of the Indianford dam to potentially raise lake water levels, nutrient inputs from the watershed, and introduction of the common carp. Lake Koshkonong Wetland Association works on these and other management issues to ensure protection of the ecological values of these wetlands. Because of boat capacities, we are limited to 20 participants and registration is required. Call 608-250-9971 soon to reserve your spot.
Wear or bring sun protection (hats, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, sunscreen, etc.) and bring rain gear in case of light showers and/or spray from the boat. Trip will be cancelled in case of heavy rain or other hazardous weather.
Directions (click here for map):
We will board the pontoon boats from Linn and Ann Duesterbeck's property at N630 Blackhawk Bluff Dr. in
Milton. From I-90, take Hwy 59 southeast to County N and turn left (east). Take N to Vogel Rd, and turn left (north). Vogel Rd becomes Pottawatomi Trail and then later turns into Blackhawk Bluff Dr.
Train Ride into Tiffany Wildlife Area
Buffalo County (near Durand, WI)
Saturday, September 10, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Field trip leaders: Kris Johansen, Nate Moldrem, and others
Registration fee: $12 WWA members, $22 non-members
Limited space; call WWA to register: 608-250-9971
Take a ride in an antique open-air train approximately eight miles into Tiffany Bottoms State Natural Area’s extensive lowland hardwood wetlands and open wet prairies near the mouth of the Chippewa River.
Participants can expect to see expansive lowland hardwood forests, sloughs of the Chippewa River and open wet prairie meadows with blooming flowers and grasses exceeding six feet in height. Tiffany Wildlife Area and Tiffany Bottoms State Natural Area offer excellent birding opportunities. The trip will be led by several naturalists and biologists from the WI Department of Natural Resources and UW-Eau Claire. Two to three hikes (0.25 - 0.5 miles each) are planned to access various wetland and prairie habitats. There will be a lunch stop during the day; participants should bring a bag lunch.
We are delighted to be raffling off two Vortex Solo Waterproof monoculars, donated by Eagle Optics, at this field trip. Raffle details here.
Directions:
Durand is about 15 miles northeast of the Mississippi River, on the banks of the Chippewa River in Pepin County, WI. Durand is about 3.5 hours (200 miles) from Madison and 45 minutes (30 miles) from Eau Claire.
From Durand, take State Highway 25 south approximately 4 miles. As you travel south from Durand, you will notice that Hwy. 25 parallels an old railroad track. Approximately 4 miles south of Durand, Thibodeau Road "T's" with Hwy. 25, on the east (left) side of Hwy. 25. To the west (right) look for a small Tiffany Wildlife Area parking lot. Park here; we will depart on the train from here. If you see a dozen or so railroad cars "in storage" along a track, about 200 feet to the west of the road, you have gone a bit too far south on Hwy 25.
Sparrows, Springs and Prairie/Wetland Restoration at Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Dane County
Saturday, October 1, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
In partnership with: Friends of Pheasant Branch and Madison Audubon Society
Field trip leaders: Tom Bernthal, Pat Trochlell, and Mike McDowell
Call WWA to register: 608-250-9971
Early Fall is a great time to see the tall grasses and colorful wildflowers of the prairie. For birders its also a chance to catch some of the less frequently observed sparrows and other songbirds beginning fall migration. Pat Trochlell and Tom Bernthal, wetland ecologists for the DNR and members of the Restoration and Management Committee will show off the prairie and wetland meadows the Friends are restoring on the Dane County (north end) of the Conservancy. Mike McDowell will bring his keen birding skills and bring loaner binoculars from Eagle Optics for those who need them and a spotting scope for some great close-ups. Tom Bernthal, will point out the water system that feeds the springs, marsh and Lake Mendota, and describe and water quality work in the Conservancy. Read more about the Conservancy below.
Hiking boots are recommended. We will walk a short distance into the wetland meadow, and will hike to the top of Fredrick's Hill. The whole trip will cover about 1-1/2 miles. If you have questions, please contact Tom Bernthal at 266-3033.
Directions:
The Dane County parcel of Pheasant Branch Conservancy is reached by driving 1.5 miles north on Pheasant Branch Road from Century Avenue in Middleton. It is the 3rd parking lot on the right for the conservancy after you pass the Conservancy Condominiums. Meet at 1:00PM.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy, a regionally significant natural area, is located on the northwest side of Lake Mendota in central Dane County. Pheasant Branch Creek, a Lake Mendota tributary, meanders through the conservancy, which contains a marsh with open water, natural springs and seeps, sedge meadows, restored prairies and savanna, lowland forests and wooded hills. These habitats support a wide variety of plants and animals, including rare, threatened and endangered species. Although surrounded on three sides by urban development this easily accessible 500+ acre conservancy provides a quiet refuge for bird-watchers, hikers and other nature enthusiasts. The view from the top of Frederick's Hill is one of the best wetland views in the county.
To date 191 bird species have been documented in the Conservancy and are listed in "Birds of Pheasant Branch Conservancy," by Dreux Watermolen, Michael McDowell and Patricia Trochlell, available on the Friends of Pheasant Branch website at www.pheasantbranch.org. The large number of bird species and the relatively large number of rare and declining species that occur in Pheasant Branch Conservancy point to the significance of this property for bird conservation and recreation. The Conservancy's location within urban and urbanizing Dane County, where many native wildlife habitats continue to be degraded, lost or fragmented, underscores the importance of the continued protection and wise management of this area.
The Dane County Parks Department owns the northern portion of the conservancy. The city of Middleton's Public Works Department owns the southern portion, including a corridor that extends along Pheasant Branch Creek's main branch and parts of the South Branch. The city and county cooperatively manage the conservancy as a single ecological and recreational unit. The Friends of Pheasant Branch, a non-profit conservation organization, was founded in 1995 to help "restore, preserve and understands the value of conservancy lands, other natural habitats, and cultural sites in the Pheasant Branch Watershed for today and tomorrow." For more information on the wildlife, hydrology and history of Pheasant Branch and the restoration, education and acquisition efforts of the Friends visit their website at www.pheasantbranch.org.
Back to Top
