Access & Directions

From Barneveld, go east on US-18. Then, turn right to head south on Co Hwy F. 

Google Map

Site Steward

Connect with the Chapter to see how you can care for this rare habitat at an upcoming work party.

This site is stewarded by The Prairie Enthusiasts Empire-Sauk Chapter.

What Makes Hanley Preserve Special

Hanley Preserve is part of a complex of properties protected by The Prairie Enthusiasts called Mounds View Grassland. This landscape-scale patchwork of preserved land creates important habitat for grassland birds, animals and insects. 

The remnant at Hanley Preserve is important in it’s own right, but combined with the availability to expand that habitat, it becomes even more important. 

How was the Hanley Preserve Protected

The Hanley farm gets its name from a widowed Irish emigrant, Mary Downey Hanley, who moved here with six of her eight children in 1882. It’s the Hanley’s presence on this land that has given us the great resource we can celebrate today. Although the land had been owned by farmers, they may not have had the time or resouces to cultivate their entire acreages. It was common to have some “unimproved” land (as the agricultural census called it) on your property through the 1880s. 

After decades of farming, Empire-Sauk Chapter leader Rich Henderson visited the site in 1985. He recognized the Hanley Farm remnant as a State Natural Area quality prairie. After that, land stewardship including brush clearing and prescribed burns was conducted on the site.

After helping the Hanley’s steward the land for decades, The Prairie Enthusiasts purchased the property in 2022.  

How You Can Help Hanley Preserve

Pulling wild parsnip, prescribed burning, seed collecting and just some of the many land stewardship tasks needed at Hanley Preserve. Join us for an upcoming event and help restore this important grassland landscape. 

Check out our Events Calendar to see upcoming work parties or contact the site steward to get involved.