Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Crex Sand Prairie (No. 32)

Overview

Location

Within Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Burnett County. T39N-R18W, Section 7 N½SE¼. 79 acres.

Access

From Grantsburg go north on County F 7 miles, then east on North Refuge Road 2 miles to the north boundary of the natural area. An overlook located 0.25 mile south on West Refuge Road, which bisects the area, is an excellent place to view the site. This area is a year-round game refuge and no hunting or trapping is allowed (Admin. Code Chapter NR 15). The site is a "No entry wildlife refuge" (Chapter NR 15.02) from September 1-December 3 and is closed to all public use.

Description

Description

Crex Sand Prairie occupies part of an extensive sand plain that was once glacial Lake Grantsburg and contains a sand prairie representative of the presettlement vegetation once found in northwestern Wisconsin. Upland soils of the Omega series are sandy with very little organic matter. The natural area is a gently rolling, treeless prairie that in the early 1940's was a jack pine-oak forest that had grown up from the barrens during the period of fire suppression. After management activities of tree removal and prescribed burning, the native prairie has recovered and prairie plants have regained dominance. Spring burns maintain this treeless aspect although oak grubs are very common. Grasses such as big and little blue-stem, June grass, and needle grass grow there along with lead-plant, wormwood, sky-blue aster, wild lupine, spiderwort, and prairie larkspur. Breeding birds include large populations of common yellowthroat and clay-colored sparrow. In addition, a sharp-tailed grouse dancing grounds is found within the natural area. Crex Sand Prairie is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1958.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 110 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a dry-mesic prairie reserve and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes and prescribed fire will determine the structure of the prairie. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native prairies.

Management Approach

The native prairie species are managed actively through tree/shrub control using brushing and especially fire to mimic natural disturbance patterns. Occasional fire-tolerant oaks, hickories, and native shrubs such as hazelnut may be retained at low densities. The ecological characteristics of the site will be primarily shaped by an intensive fire management program. Other allowable activities include control of invasive plants and animals, augmentation of native prairie species after careful review, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress wildfires.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)