Description
A project of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Nature Conservancy completed the transfer of its land at the Gromme Preserve to the state in 2012.
Why You Should Visit
The landscape surrounding this 3,200-acre lake inspired many scenes painted by Wisconsin wildlife artist Owen Gromme.
The water levels here fluctuate under natural conditions. These changing levels, combined with sedge meadows, prairie and oak openings in the upland areas, create an ideal environment for wildlife—especially breeding and migratory birds.
Conditions
This preserve does not contain trails.
Please note: You may hear gunfire on neighboring lands during the fall duck hunting season.
Why TNC Selected This Site
Its rich diversity of wildlife, which includes both game and non-game species, makes Rush Lake one of the state’s most important wetland communities.
What TNC Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy made its first acquisition at Rush Lake in 1988. From 2006-2012 we transferred almost 600 acres to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
TNC worked cooperatively with private landowners, other conservation organizations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the state of Wisconsin to secure long-term protection for the highest quality natural communities and endangered species habitat in the Rush Lake watershed.
Volunteers are helping restore the prairies and oak savannas at the site by collecting and planting native grasses and wildflowers and removing non-native invasive plants.
