Owl Creek Fen Savanna State Natural Area

Owl Creek Fen Savanna is a large peatland complex that supports a diversity of natural features including central poor fen, tamarack swamp, alder thicket, and upland islands of pine and oak. Of particular interest are unique savanna-like stands of open-grown aspen situated in a wet meadow dominated by blue-joint grass.

Central poor fens are acidic, low nutrient wetlands dominated by sedge. Found within the Central Sand Plains of Wisconsin, they often intergrade with tamarack swamp. Other characteristic species include three-way sedge, fowl manna grass, swamp-candles, cotton-grass, bog goldenrod, swamp milkweed, bulblet water hemlock, and blue-flag iris.

Birds found here include sandhill crane, purple finch, black-and-white warbler, and golden-winged warbler.

Owl Creek Fen Savanna is owned by Wood County and was designated a State Natural Area in 2006.

Source: Wisconsin State Natural Area Program