Adelman & Schwartz Preserve
A view of the lake below after a prescribed burn. Photo by Kat O’connell Valuch.
Adelman & Schwartz Preserve
A view of the lake below after a prescribed burn. Photo by Kat O’connell Valuch.
Containing some of the best remaining woodland, wetland, shore land and floodplain, visitors will enjoy this small but significant habitat. The property is also adjacent to a small lake, called North Lake southeast of Whitewater, WI.
Access & Directions
Access is located off North Lakeshore Drive Road. The property is on the north shore of North Lake in Walworth County.
Site Steward
Connect with the site steward to see how you can care for this rare habitat at an upcoming work party.
This site is stewarded by The Prairie Enthusiasts Glacial Prairie Chapter.
Site Steward: Michaela Rosenthal (Email)
How to Enjoy This Site
Allowed:
- Hiking
- Bird Watching
- Research (by permit only)
Not Allowed:
- Vehicles, including bicycles
- Camping or picnic fires
- Pets
- Horseback Riding
- Collecting plants, rocks or animals
- Trapping or Hunting
How to Enjoy This Site
Allowed:
- Hiking
- Bird Watching
- Research (by permit only)
Not Allowed:
- Vehicles, including bicycles
- Camping or picnic fires
- Pets
- Horseback Riding
- Collecting plants, rocks or animals
- Trapping or Hunting
Spring peeper, which can be found at Adelman & Schwartz Preserve. Photo by Sarah Barron.
What Makes Adelman & Schwartz Preserve Special
As urban development in this region was increasing, this remnant habitat was protected at a critical time. The property includes species such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), sideoats gramma (Bouteloua curtipendula), rock sandwort (Minuartia stricta), false boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides), purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea), flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata), false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) and more.
Hillside view of Adelman & Schwartz Preserve hillside. Photo by Zack Kastern.
How was Adelman & Schwartz Preserve Protected
Charlotte Adelman and Bernard Schwartz had a long commitment to conservation efforts and were dedicated to protecting and restoring old-growth habitats. The two also authored books such as The Prairie Directory of North America and The Midwestern Native Garden.
As long-time land stewards, they were constantly on the search for remnant habitats. They discovered this property for sale, which was already within a subdivision of small lots. Charlotte and Bernie stepped in and bought 7 of the small parcels, saving a piece of these threatened ecosystems.
With the long-term interest in preserving this local paradise, Charlotte and Bernie entered into an easement with the Kettle Moraine Land Trust in 2006. Then in 2015, the two made the decision to transfer ownership of their prairie’s fee title to The Prairie Enthusiasts along with a sizable endowment for its management.
How You Can Help Adelman & Schwartz Preserve
The Glacial Prairie Chapter is stewarding the site by clearing non-native, invasive plant species on the periphery of the dry prairie remnant. Chapter volunteers focus on removing specias like garlic mustard, dame’s rocket, lily of the valley encroaching cottonwood saplings and smooth sumac suckers. Regularly prescribed burning is also conducted on the site.
Check out our Events Calendar to see upcoming work parties or contact the site steward to get involved.