The Prairie Enthusiasts
press release: Dedication of The Prairie Enthusiasts' Parrish Oak Savanna
Saturday, October 24 - 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Location: 3571 County Road F, Blue Mounds WI, 53517.
Directions: From US18/151 go north 0.3 miles on Cave of the Mounds Rd. Turn right on County ID, go 300 feet Turn left on cave of the Mounds Rd, go 0.7 miles Turn right on County F, go 2.7 miles (passing Brigham County Park) Turn left on Moyer Rd. and go 400 yards and park on the right on the outside of the bend. Walk back up Moyer Road, turn left at County F and walk left up the asphalt entrance drive to the top of the hill and follow the lane to the old cabin area (200 yards). The dedication will be followed by a walking tour of the site. There are no restroom facilities at the preserve.
Contacts: Ken Wade or Pat Trochlell at 608-767-3111. Call Ken or Pat prior to the dedication if you need a car ride up to the dedication site at the top of the hill or if you have any other questions.
Come celebrate with The Prairie Enthusiasts and the Blue Mounds Area Project at the dedication of an ecologically and historically important oak savanna.
Located in the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin near Blue Mounds, Parrish Oak Savanna is a biologically diverse 29-acre remnant of original oak savanna, one of the most endangered ecosystems of the Midwest. It was acquired by The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE) on December 19, 2013 through grants from the Wisconsin DNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship and Dane County Conservation funds, along with donations from the former owners and TPE members.
The preserve's prairie, savanna, and oak woodland communities support a very diverse flora. So far, 235 plant species have been identified at the site, including the state threatened Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) and three special concern species: Woodland Boneset (Eupatorium sessilifolium), Prairie False-dandelion (Nothocalais cuspidata), and Prairie Fame Flower Phemeranthus rugospermus). At the time of the original land surveys in the early 1830’s the site was likely a blend of prairie and savanna. Enough of that original pre-settlement flora is still present for the site to become, with management, a premier example of original oak savanna. The preserve is also home to the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), a Wisconsin State special concern species.
A sandstone ridge capped by dolomite provides an outstanding view of nearby Brigham County and Blue Mounds State Parks, including continuous environmental corridor between Parrish Oak Savanna and those parks protected by TPE conservation easements and Dane County land acquisitions.