Lakeshore Nature Preserve
| University of Wisconsin–Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve | |
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IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
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| Location | Wisconsin, United States |
| Nearest city | Madison |
| Coordinates | 43°4′32″N 89°25′30″W / 43.07556°N 89.42500°WCoordinates: 43°4′32″N 89°25′30″W / 43.07556°N 89.42500°W |
| Area | 300 acres (1.2 km2) |
| Governing body | Lakeshore Nature Preserve Committee |
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The University of Wisconsin–Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve is a 300-acre (1.2 km2) nature reserve along 4 miles (6.4 km) of the southern shore of Lake Mendota. The preserve's primary goals are to protect native plant and animal communities, as well as to uphold the campus's signature natural landscapes, all while providing an educational facility for the university.
Areas are listed in order of appearance along the Lakeshore Path, starting in the east.
Muir Woods is a heavily forested area covering 7 acres (0.028 km2) of land on the northern slope of Bascom Hill. Despite its location in the heart of the campus, the woods have remained relatively secluded from human activity. The forest is named after John Muir, a former UW–Madison student and naturalist.
Willow Creek Woods consist of the forested areas surrounding Willow Creek, located in the central part of the campus. The area is populated with several types of oak trees including bur oak, white oak, and black oak, as well as various weeds, and other woody plant life.
Willow Beach is located just to the east of the mouth of Willow Creek. It is a popular location for swimming and sightseeing. The area is also used to store rowboats and canoes.
Triangle Marsh, located just to the east of Walnut Street, is a small pond connected to the Lake Mendota water system. The area is being developed for use as a northern pike nursery.
The University Bay Marsh is located along the western edge of University Bay where natural lake currents have been accumulating silt, thus encouraging the growth of marsh vegetation.
The Class of 1918 Marsh is a small wetland created by the recession of glaciers from the Wisconsin area about 15,000 years ago. The wetland system had been connected to Lake Mendota before lake currents built up a sandbar dividing the lake from the system. At one time, the wetland was much larger, but development in the area reduced it to its current size. The marsh was drained in 1910 after the university acquired the land and began farming experiments there. It was restored in 1969 as part of an environmental studies class project, with funds donated by the class of 1918 during their 50-year reunion.
Picnic Point is a nearly 1 mile (1.6 km) long peninsula that reaches into Lake Mendota just north of University Bay. Recent archaeological surveys indicate that the point may have been inhabited for at least 12,000 years. During European settlement in the 19th century the point was densely covered with farm land. The university acquired the property in 1941.
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