Greenwood Wildlife Area

Greenwood Wildlife Area lies on the edge of a pitted outwash plain creating a flat sandy topography and a wooded hilly moraine comprised mostly of oak. Historically the plains area was in agriculture and an important wintering area for a local population of Giant Canada geese. In 1938 it was closed to goose hunting for ten years by a designation as a state refuge. During this time the flock increased dramatically from several hundred geese to several thousand; hunting pressure adjacent increased accordingly. Acquisition of the area began in 1949 and was completed by 1955. Presently the State of Wisconsin owns 1,438 acres.

History

Previously the State leased some its present ownership and about 10 acres were purchased annually for goose feed. From 1949 – 1953 several hundred acres of state land were cropped by the University of Wisconsin Experimental Station in Hancock. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) took over the entire farming operation in 1954 and initiated a Soil Conservation Service farm plan to control wind erosion and increase soil fertility. Farm operations had been conducted by area farmers since 1960 under sharecrop agreements directed by the property manager. As the Giant Canada goose population increased statewide, it became apparent the refuge was no longer needed. In 1994, with financial support from the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Turkey Stamp funding, an effort to restore the area to native prairie and savanna began. Today approximately 100 acres remain in crops, while the remaining +/- 500 acres have been restored to prairie. This provides important habitat for grassland-dependent wildlife species, providing vital nesting cover for bobolinks, grasshopper, field and vesper sparrows, and both Eastern and Western meadowlarks. In June-July visitors should also be on the lookout for Karner Blue butterflies where lupine plants mix with the stands of prairie grasses. Intermixed with beautiful prairie wildflowers are monarch butterflies and prairie mammals like 13-lined ground squirrels and badgers.

Management objective

Timber management has always occurred on the moraine portion and continues to present day. About half of Area’s vegetative cover is forested. Within its heavily forested areas there has been an ongoing study of oak regeneration. Another portion surrounded by the prairie has been slowly converted into savanna type habitat to coincide with the grassland management. Ruffed grouse are one of the signature bird species found within the forested areas.

Recognition of the diversity of glacial formations within the Area led to the designation of an alternate route of the Wisconsin Ice Age Trail. The trail traverses along the southern and eastern borders, with a new segment through the grasslands. Additionally, a snowmobile trail exists through a portion of the southern property. The refuge status has been eliminated and hunting is open during the appropriate seasons. There is ample parking on all sides of the wildlife area.

Source: WDNR and Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail