Chiwaukee Prairie Wetland Restoration

FWS Agreement Number

F10AP00074

Summary

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s Bureau of Endangered Resources describes Chiwaukee Prairie as a State Natural Area situated on gently undulating ridge and swale topography created when the level of glacial Lake Michigan was lowered in stages. It is one of the largest prairie complexes in the state and the most intact coastal wetland in southeastern Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) secured a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act for general management; conducting surveys; doing outreach; monitoring of management efforts; and research on habitat. Work was done primarily by the WDNR natural area crew and wildlife staff, but with the help from several partners as well - The Nature Conservancy staff, Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund volunteers, University of Wisconsin - Parkside professors and students, and general volunteers. Habitat management was done primarily on WDNR lands. The original grant period was the October of 2009 to September of 2010; however, due to a delay with the paperwork the funds were not available to the natural area crew until the late winter of 2010. As a result an extension was granted for the project until June of 2011.