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Forest Ecology
Fall colors on the Wood River
Ecologists generally define "natural areas" as tracts of land or water that represent the last vestiges of Wisconsin’s native landscape as it existed prior to the 1830s, before intensive European settlement began. They harbor natural features essentially unaltered by human-caused disturbances or that have substantially recovered from disturbance over time.
There are 409 State Natural Areas (SNAs) in Wisconsin; five of these are on the Governor Knowles State Forest and one is on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Public use of the SNAs is allowed for scientific research and compatible, low-impact recreation such as hiking, bird watching, and nature study.
The State Natural Areas on the Governor Knowles State Forest and the St. Croix Riverway are:
- Kohler-Peet Barrens and Cedar Swamp
- Norway Point Bottomlands
- Brandt Brook Pines
- St. Croix Ash Swamp
- St. Croix Seeps
- Sterling Barrens
Travel this flat expanse of sandy, open barrens on the hiking trail that starts from the Clam River Flowage parking lot on Hwy F. Watch for a flash of blue; the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly enjoys this open habitat.
Learn more about this area by hiking the Cedar Interpretive Trail.
Visit this area in summer by hiking the Brandt Pines Interpretive Trail or ski the gently rolling trails in winter.
Explore this extensive low swamp-land and find the small spring-fed streams and seepages that have eroded small pockets and tributary valleys in the wooded river valley wall. Park at the North Benson parking lot to hike through this area.
View this 4-mile stretch by canoeing the St. Croix River to see a flowing seepage with a shady overstory of old-growth sugar maple and eastern hop-hornbeam. Be alert and you might see the green-faced clubtail dragonfly or lake sturgeon. Park at County O parking lot to hike the area.
The southwest-facing slope is called a Goats Prairie and contains unusual prairie species. These rolling barren openings are interspersed with common prairie species, too. Occasional prescribed burning will be used to maintain the native prairie species.
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