Access & Directions

Eldred Prairie is located on Lincoln Road just east of Lancaster.

The easiest way to get there is by way of Highway 129, the highway that diverts Highway 61 traffic around the east side of Lancaster.

From the north, Lincoln Road is approximately 1 ½ miles south from the north intersection of 61 and 129. From the south, it is about one mile north of the south intersection of 61 and 129.

Drive east on Lincoln Road for about two miles. Eldred is on the north side of the road and is obviously a conservation area. The entrance gate is at the east end of the property at the top of the hill.

Google Map

Site Steward

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

Site Steward: Ross Shrago (608) 334-6942 or Email

What Makes Eldred Prairie Special

More information coming soon!

How was Eldred Prairie Protected

Originally called the Ellenboro Prairie, the Southwest Wisconsin chapter changed the name in February 2004 to the Gary Eldred Prairie Preserve to honor Gary Eldred’s many contributions to prairie preservation.

The site was located by The Prairie Enthusiasts Southwest Wisconsin Chapter members in 1987 while doing a county-wide inventory. Several trips back to the site resulted in a list of over 55 species, including such rarities as cream gentian (Gentiana flavida), wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium), and tall nut rush (Scleria triglomerata). Several years later a trained botanist from the DNR visited the site to evaluate the quinine population. His comment was “there are probably 10,000 or more plants here!” A purely biased guess is that this may be Wisconsin’s largest single population of this state-threatened species. Over the last 14 years several attempts to purchase the site have been made but not until 2000 was any interest shown in selling. Jaye Maxfield, a dedicated and persistent member of the SWC, was asked by the chapter to help with the project. Meetings were set up with the owners, Grantland Growers, and they expressed an interest in selling. After nearly a year’s effort by Jaye, including paper work, phone calls, filling out forms, back tracking and resubmitting forms and agreements for the sale, closing finally took place on November 13, 2001.

How You Can Help Eldred Prairie

Portions of the site are high quality prairie, but others are not. While the Christmas trees have been removed, much of the northern aspect is now covered with briars, brush and aspen. We have done some mowing and burning, but much more, including forestry mowing and girdling of aspen, is required.

The high-quality prairie is on the south slope. Unfortunately, oak sprouts have been spreading throughout this prairie in ever dense stands. Burning and mowing top kill these stands, but do not kill them. We are now taking a more aggressive approach, including chemical treatment. Crown vetch is a serious problem, though we seem to be making headway with our annual attack. With limited volunteers and limited funds we are able to make progress, but it is slow.

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