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Wisconsin
Page Creek Marsh
Why You Should Visit
This large wetland preserve supports a rich diversity of plants, waterfowl and grassland birds. The creek winds through gently rolling farmland enhanced by remnants of native prairie and oak savanna.
Broad sedge meadows, marshes and areas of open water afford habitat to several rare species.
Location
South Central Wisconsin, about 18 miles north of Portage
Hours
Open year round, dawn to dusk
Conditions
Hiking is on old roads and intermittent, unmarked, primitive trails. Narrow boardwalks traverse the creek and the bog.
In the winter, you can cross-country ski or snowshoe on the old roads.
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Page Creek Marsh is a large, relatively undisturbed wetland that provides habitat for many waterfowl. During the fall migration season, it serves as an important staging area for sandhill cranes. Several rare plants and reptiles call this home.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
In 1986, Barbara Sheehan gave the first 72 acres to the Conservancy. Since then, the Conservancy has acquired 581 acres, bringing the total protected acreage to 653 acres.
Conservancy volunteers are removing old buildings, repairing trails and boardwalks, and posting boundaries. They are also helping to restore the oak barrens. (Barrens are open, sandy areas dominated by a cover of grasses, flowers and some low shrubs, and sparsely timbered with oak and pine.)
Things To Do
Plants
- Plant communities: sandy oak savanna, sedge meadow, prairie fens, tamarack swamps, bogs
- Rare plants such as the downy willow-herb and bog reed grass thrive in the wetlands surrounding one of the lakes.
- Variety of sedges and wild rice
What to See: Birds
Luxuriant with emergent aquatic plants, the secure, deep-water habitat of the Page Creek Marsh area provides cover for large numbers of birds, including wood ducks, willow flycatchers and green-backed herons.
What to See: Animals
- Beaver
- Coyote
- Red fox
- Woodchuck
Plan Your Visit
Please see "Preserve Visitation Guidelines"
Directions
From Portage:
- Drive north about 15 miles on U.S. Hwy 51.
- Pass through Endeavor, then take Cnty Hwy D east to Packwaukee.
- Still on Cnty D, cross Buffalo Lake and travel about 1.75 miles to Cnty Hwy K.
- Take Cnty K north about 0.5 mile to the Page Creek Marsh parking area on the right (east).
- If you cross the creek, you've gone 0.25 mile too far.
(Map to Page Creek)
Discussion
Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.
Add Your Comments
Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!
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