The Niagara Escarpment
Inventory Findings 1999-2001 and Considerations for Management

The Niagara Escarpment has emerged as a statewide critical natural resource area in recent years due to its unique geology, the presence of rare plants and animals, and growing development pressure. It is a priority study area for the Bureau of Endangered Resources and the Department of Natural Resources, as well as other regional and state agencies and private conservation organizations in Wisconsin.

This report presents the results of a study conducted during 1999-2001 to collect and compile information about the biodiversity of the Niagara Escarpment throughout its course in Wisconsin, and to identify elements of biodiversity that are most closely associated with the Escarpment. The study was undertaken by the Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) Program of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Bureau of Endangered Resources. Work emphasized consolidation of existing data and information plus field inventory to fill in gaps and to gather more complete information on key sites.

The information provided in this report is intended to support current and future planning efforts for the Department, local planning agencies, concerned community groups, and other organizations. This compilation should provide a tool with which to evaluate the ecological significance of the Escarpment and provide background for conservation efforts and management considerations. By focusing on the Escarpment as a whole, we hope that this report provides a useful frame of reference for regional and local studies dealing with portions of this important area. We also hope that the emphasis on rare species and natural communities in this report will complement other, more general information about the area.