The Nature Conservancy (TNC)-managed area in what is often called Wisconsin’s desert includes some of the state’s rarest plant communities in its sand and dry bluff prairies and black oak barrens. It hosts a diversity of unusual plants, insects, reptiles and birds. We should see cactus and, hopefully, Olympia Marble butterflies and Lark Sparrows. Long pants, a sun hat, water, and hiking shoes are recommended. Bring binoculars.

Mike Reese from Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association (SWBA) will be your butterfly expert. Emma Raasch from SoWBA will be your bird and plant expert.

Questions? Contact Pam Skaar (605-241-5332) or Brenna Marsicek at bmarsicek@swibirds.org or 608-255-2473.

This is a joint trip of the Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.

FIELD TRIP LEADERS: Mike Reese (SWBA) and Emma Raasch (SoWBA)

RAIN DATE: May 3.

ACCESSIBILITY:  

• This site can be physically challenging. Paths are frequently sandy, uneven, rutted, and narrow. 

• There are no bathrooms or water sources on site.

APPROXIMATE DISTANCE HIKED: 3+ miles

REGISTRATION: Registration is limited to 25 people, and will open on March 17.

DIRECTIONS: (just past fire number E5196A)  From the intersection of US Highway 14 and State Hwy 23 near Spring Green, travel north on Hwy 23 for 0.5 mile to its intersection with Jones Road on the east (right). Travel east on Jones Road for 0.75 miles to the preserve is on the left. Turn left on the dirt access road marked with the TNC preserve entrance sign.

Cover photo: Olympia marble butterflies at Spring Green Preserve. Photo by Peter Gorman