Henry family donates land for important wetland restoration
Get a look at a significant wetland restoration Sept. 11: A former farm field proposed for industrial development has become instead a mosaic of diverse habitat types.
The 60-acre site donated by the Henry family had been dedicated to row-crop agriculture since at least the 1930s. Woodland Dunes and the Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust (sponsored and administered by the Wisconsin DNR) partnered to restore the site to sedge meadow, shrub wetland, and mesic (tallgrass) prairie.
Nearly 3.5 miles of drain tiles were broken, shallow wetland pools were excavated, and native grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs were planted. The area is now home to more than 65 bird species, and provides nesting and stopover habitat for neotropical songbirds, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl as well as pollinator habitat. The site will be open to the public for hiking and birdwatching.
Expanding on existing natural areas also improves the health and resiliency of the watershed.
Visit the site from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 to hear from experts about the project and the animal and plant life the property now sustains.
Park on E. Goodwin Road and cross Woodland Drive for the Henry Wetland opening event.
