Kessler Railroad Prairie

State Natural Area (No. 199)

Location: Rock County. T2N-R11E, Sections 13, 24. 14 acres.

Access: From Hanover, go south on Schuman Road 2 miles, then east on Stuart Road 2 miles, then north on South Johnson Road 1.3 miles to the east boundary. Access is by foot along the former railroad bed.

Description: Kessler Railroad Prairie is a wet-mesic prairie that contains more than 100 native plant species. Common grasses include big and little blue-stem, prairie drop-seed, Indian grass, and prairie cord grass. The forb flora is quite diverse and includes such showy species as shooting-star, rattlesnake master, fringed gentian, gerardia, rough blazing-star, purple prairie-clover, compass plant, glade mallow, heart-leaved golden alexanders, asters, goldenrods, and milkweeds. A number of fen species are also present, including grass-of-Parnassus. The poorly drained soil, Colwood silt loam, is underlain by lake deposits of calcareous sand and silt. Most of the northwest portion is disturbed land dominated by boxelder although there are small pockets of sedge meadow and prairie. Small mammals are common especially meadow vole, white-footed mouse, and meadow jumping mouse. Kessler Railroad Prairie is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1985.