by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 19, 2023
Eldred Prairie
Summer at Eldred Prairie. Photo by Michael H. Nee.
The 45-acre Ellenboro Prairie, now called Eldred Prairie is located on a low ridge with a dry mesic quality and somewhat sandy soil. About two-thirds of the site has a southern aspect, and one-third a northern aspect.
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
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)
Allowed:
- Outdoor Recreation
- Hunting (for all species, no permit or reservation required)
What Makes Eldred Prairie Special
More information coming soon!
Butterfly milkweed and leadplant at Eldred Prairie. Photo by Cassidy Coulson.
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.
Southwest Wisconsin Chapter volunteers enjoy a New Year’s Eve work party at Eldred Prairie. Photo by Becky Fernette.
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.
A brush cutting crew of volunteers at Eldred Prairie. Photo by Bob Costanza.
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 19, 2023
Double Oak Savanna
Looking through the trees at Double Oak Savanna. Photo by Dan Carter.
This site was gifted to The Prairie Enthusiasts by Alice and Walter Mirk in 2012. This 23-acre site contains remnant and restored prairie, oak savanna and oak woodland. The rugged terrain is home to a number of rare species including purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), prairie Indian plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum), jeweled shooting star (Dodecatheon amethystinum), pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris) and prairie ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi).
From the east, go to the intersection of Highway 133 and County Road C west of Woodman. Proceed west on County Road C 4.7 miles to the rock quarry on the right., where we will congregate. From the west, go to the intersection of Highway 18 and County Road C, a few miles east of Prairie du Chien. Drive east on County C for 7.8 miles. Just past the settlement of Millville you will come to the rock quarry on the left.
Google Map
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 Southwest Wisconsin Chapter.
Site Steward: James Haas at (608) 732-7104 or (Email)
Allowed:
- Outdoor Recreation
- Hunting (for all species, no permit or reservation required)
More information coming soon!
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 19, 2023
Bush Clover Prairie
Burn crew during a prescribed burn at Bush Clover Prairie. Photo by Jack Kussmaul.
This site is located in Mt. Ida and was originally purchased in 1989. It is a 3-acre dry-mesic prairie with many species including compass plant, rough blazing-star and downy phlox.
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 Southwest Wisconsin Chapter.
Chapter Contact: (Email)
More information coming soon!
by The Prairie Enthusiasts | Jul 19, 2023
Borah Creek Prairie
Borah Creek Prairie in summer. Photo by Martha Querin-Schultz.
This site consists of 10 acres of high quality remnant dry and dry-mesic prairie, 17 acres of former cropland planted to prairie vegetation and five acres of overgrown oak savanna. It has an outstanding assemblage of plants including several rare and uncommon species. This preserve is highly walkable and provides great educational value.
From the west side of Fennimore, head south on Rodger Hollow Road for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto Townline Road. Go west for 0.8 miles. Turn left (south) on Mt Ridge Road. Go 1/3 mile to the access road and parking lot to Borah Creek Prairie on the right, at 11949 Mt Ridge Road.
Google Map
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 Southwest Wisconsin Chapter.
Site Steward: Steve Querin-Schultz (Email)
Allowed:
- Outdoor Recreation
- Hunting (for all species, no permit or reservation required)
- Trapping (for all species, no permit or reservation required)
Not Allowed:
- Collecting Plants, Seeds, Rocks or Animals without permission from The Prairie Enthusiasts
What Makes Borah Creek Prairie Special
The preserve consist of 10 acres of high quality remnant dry and dry-mesic prairie, 17 acres of former cropland planted to prairie vegetation, and five acres of overgrown oak savanna. Most of the rest of the preserve is former pasture with varying amounts of native prairie vegetation that survived the grazing, including a large population of the Federally Endangered prairie bush-clover. Surveys of this property have found such rare prairie specialist as woolly milkweed, prairie Indian-plantain, Hill’s thistle, wild quinine, and prairie turnip. Rare and declining grassland birds detected using the area include upland sandpiper, eastern kingbird, brown thrasher, dickcissel, eastern meadowlark, grasshopper sparrow, and bell’s vireo.
The entrance of Borah Creek Prairie. Photo by Marcia Chambers.
How was Borah Creek Prairie Protected
In 2009, The Prairie Enthusiasts, Mississippi Valley Conservancy, and Driftless Area Land Conservancy, with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the WI DNR Knowles-Nelson State Stewardship Fund, procured 138 acres of this site near Fennimore, WI. It was immediately designated a WI State Natural Area. In 2010, title was transferred to The Prairie Enthusiasts. It has since been managed and cared for by the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts. In 2013, another 43 acres were added to the preserve for a total 181.
Members gather for their annual picnic at the Borah Creek Barn. Photo by Rob Baller.
How You Can Help Borah Creek Prairie
The Southwest Wisconsin Chapter holds field trips and work parties at this site.
Check out our Events Calendar to see upcoming work parties or contact the site steward to get involved.
Prescribed fire at Borah Creek Prairie. Photo by Steve Querin-Schultz.
