Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Dunbar Barrens (No. 104)

Overview

Location

Marinette County. T37N-R18E, Sections 16, 17, 20, 21, 28. 1330 acres.

Access

From the intersection of U.S. Highway 8 and County U west of Dunbar, go west on 8 2.0 miles, then north on an unimproved access road (marked with fire number 12902) 1.3 miles, then west 0.4 miles to the southeast corner of the site.

Description

Description

Dunbar Barrens features a Pine Barrens community that is part of a large, open landscape located on a gently rolling pitted glacial outwash plain. The site is similar in composition to presettlement barrens with broad sweeping prairie vistas and a distinctive panorama. Logging, grazing, and periodic fires have maintained the open character of the barrens in addition to the action of frost in low pockets. Today, aspen, oak, and jack pine forest surround the opening and low granitic outcrops are found scattered through the area. The dominant vegetation consists of grasses and sedges, and a well-developed shrub layer is present including blueberry, bearberry, prairie willow, and sweet fern. Herbaceous plants include rice grass, poverty oat grass, wintergreen, barren strawberry, and hawkweeds. The area also harbors a diverse and unusual lichen flora. Originally recognized as being attractive habitat for sharp-tailed grouse, the bird is today absent from the barrens after a population peak in the 1950's. The last recorded observation was in 1976. Common barren birds include the eastern bluebird, eastern towhee, vesper, field, and clay-colored sparrow, and the upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), a species of special concern in Wisconsin. Dunbar Barrens is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1973.

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.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 41 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 149 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 29 KB]

Management

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a pine barrens reserve and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes and prescribed vegetation manipulation (see below) will determine the structure of the savanna. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native pine barrens.

Management Approach

The native dominant tree species (primarily jack pine) are managed actively. However, some trees such as scattered northern pin oak and red pine are not harvested. After jack pine is established, thinning of the canopy and shrub control via harvest, brushing or fire may be needed to mimic natural disturbance patterns. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress fires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event can occur if the volume of woody material inhibits fire prescriptions.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Although removal of hazardous trees from over and near permanent firebreaks and state-approved snowmobile trails is an allowed activity, manipulation/removal of vegetation and soil disturbance should be minimized to the extent possible.
• A road system is found throughout the site that has been historically used by local persons, predominantly. These past usage patterns indicate that people will use newly established fire breaks as roads; this type of use is discouraged by signs.

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)

Data

Plant List