Surrounded by Nature
Recharge Yourself
Directly across from the magnificent home is Chiwaukee Prairie. Encompassing a narrow run of shoreline along Lake Michigan in southeast Wisconsin, Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area is part of the last unbroken stretch of prairie of its kind in the state. It is recognized as a crucial
Protection of Chiwaukee Prairie was initiated in 1965 by a dedicated group of local citizens who loved the prairie and wanted to preserve it for future generations. They contacted The Nature Conservancy for help with funding to acquire the more than 300 acres of remaining prairie. Since that time, we have worked with landowners, local citizens and both public and private partners to acquire hundreds of small parcels of land.
In spring 2015, TNC donated 150 acres at Chiwaukee Prairie to the State of Wisconsin for continued use as a valuable conservation area offering diverse public recreation opportunities in southeast Wisconsin. We also donated a permanent endowment to supplement management costs at the preserve, with the funds to be managed by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.​
Local citizens continue to play a critical role in protecting Chiwaukee Prairie through their involvement in the Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund. They remove invasive species and help burn the prairie to keep it healthy, raise funds to protect land and spread the word to engage more people in caring for this special place.
Chiwaukee Prairie
A National Natural Landmark
The Chiwaukee Prairie is one of the most complete prairie complexes in Wisconsin. It offers a variety of habitats from marshy grasslands, to sand dunes and wooded areas. And it supports a large variety flora and fauna, some of which are rare or endangered.
The prairie has over 400 vascular plant species. There are ferns, lichens, rushes and aquatic plants. There are shrubs such as sumac, red raspberry and an abundance of red-twig dogwood. There are some 80 different kinds of sedges and grasses. And is there is a bewildering assortment of flowers including blazing stars, black-eyed susan, goldenrod, tickseed, milkweed, Queen Anne’s-lace, lobelias, asters, thistles, and sunflowers. These bloom at various times throughout the warmer months. In the higher and drier parts of the prairie, there are open woodlands of cottonwood, birch, maples and oaks.
The prairie is home to more that 75 types of birds including gulls, ducks, vireos, swallows, wrens, finches, orioles, woodpeckers, sandhill cranes, turkey, hawks, kestrels, and bald eagle. Additionally, it is a stop-over site for a succession of migratory birds. The prairie supports an abundance of insects, butterflies, amphibians, and reptiles, including the rare Blanding's turtle.. The prairie is also home to many mammals such as woodchucks, minks, red foxes, coyotes, and the rare Franklin's ground squirrel.
Kenosha Sand Dunes
A rare Great Lakes dunes ecosystem located within the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area
Situated at the northernmost portion of Chiwaukee Prairie, the Kenosha Dunes is host to several rare and geographically constrained plants, birds, invertebrates, and mammals. A birdwatchers paradise known for more than 75 species of grassland and wetland birds that can be spotted during breeding season. A 2 mile trail system loops through the dunes and is accessible year-round.
