Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha County, WI
Posted by: 
cldisme
N 42° 30.417 W 087° 48.584
16T E 433474 N 4706382
Considered the best remaining wet prairie in Wisconsin. A remnant of once widespread vegetation along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, including several rare plant species.
Waymark Code: WM2NCZ
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 11/25/2007
Views: 83
Designated as a National Natural Landmark in November 1973.
The over 400-acre Chiwaukee Prairie is the most species-rich prairie in Wisconsin. The diversity of the vegetation is unequaled with more than 400 species of native plants, including five state-endangered and five state-threatened species. The plant communities found in Chiwaukee include wet prairie as the dominant cover, and with some sandy, dry prairie on the higher ridges.
Sedge meadows and emergent marsh vegetation occupy the deeper swales. There are tall grasses and oak openings along the western and southern portions of the preserve. The prairie contains nationally significant archeological and geological features.
In addition to the plants, there are birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, which create an impressive collection of biodiversity. The prairie was formed 13,000 years ago, when Lake Michigan receded and prairie plants followed the edge. As a former lakebed, the prairie stands on beach sand covered with about 10 inches of topsoil.
The dunes were created by the winds and the wave action of the receding Lake Michigan. Vegetation such as sand reed grass, which binds sand together, eventually took root and helped to create the relatively stable dune formations.
Ownership is a joint effort between The Nature Conservancy for the roughly the southern portion and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the northern section with 116th Street as the dividing line.
Hiking is permitted, but remain on the marked trails since this is a very fragile ecosystem. Regardless of when or where you hike in the Chiwuakee Prairie, the tick population is extremely high, so take the appropriate precautions.
Predominate Feature: Prairie remnant on unique topography.
Parking/Access Location: N 42° 30.144 W 087° 48.579
Ownership: State
Terrain Rating: 
Landmark's Website: [Web Link]
Admission Charged: Not Listed
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