Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Plover River Woods (No. 574)

Overview

Location

Within the Plover River Fishery Area, Marathon County. T29N-R10E, Sections 21, 22, 27, 28. 284 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highway 45 and County N in Birnhamwood, go west on N 3.5 miles, then north on South Pole Road 2.1 miles. Park and walk west into the site.

Description

Description

Plover River Woods features a northern wet-mesic and northern mesic forest that contain an extraordinarily diverse ground flora. Bordering the Plover River is a wet-mesic forest dominated by white cedar. Other trees include black ash, white spruce, and balsam fir. The ground layer includes numerous sedges, marsh marigold, three-leaved goldthread, rosy twisted stalk, partridgeberry, naked miterwort, boneset, joe-pye weed, swamp saxifrage, and numerous orchids. Sugar maple dominates the northern mesic forest with basswood, red oak, and hemlock also present. In May, a carpet of spring ephemerals blankets the forest floor and includes an abundance of squirrel corn and Dutchman’s breeches. Other species include hepatica, spring-beauty, bloodroot, nodding trillium, wild geranium, wild ginger, blue cohosh, red baneberry, mayapple, and wood betony. Birds include winter wren, hermit thrush, rose-breasted grosbeak, ovenbird, black-throated green warbler, golden-crowned kinglet, and purple finch. Plover River Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2008.

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, 172 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a northern mesic/wet-mesic forest reserve and an ecological reference area. Natural processes will primarily determine the structure of the forest. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality northern mesic and wet-mesic forests.

Management Approach

Native species are managed passively, allowing nature to determine the ecological characteristics. Exceptions include: management of a nine-acre pine plantation, patchy thinning in the mesic forest to enhance stand diversity, control of invasive plants and animals, and maintenance of existing facilities. Salvage of trees after a major wind event is not considered compatible with management objectives.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Composition and old-growth characteristics of the upland forest, as well as the need for management to enhance the old-growth forest, are determined by an interdisciplinary team of foresters, silviculturists, wildlife managers and natural area ecologists.

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)