UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve and Recreation Area
UW-Whitewater is fortunate to have over 120 acres of land identified for open or general recreational use and over 100 acres of that is designated as the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve. This page will familiarize you with this valuable resource found right here on campus. If you would like additional information, please contact us with your questions.
Land Acknowledgement
UW-Whitewater created this land acknowledgement in order to honor and respect the Native peoples who resided on this land far before our institution did. Please remember this as you enjoy your time in the Nature Preserve, and help us be respectful stewards of this land.
Trail System
The Nature Preserve boasts over five miles of trails through a variety of ecosystems, including woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and others. A trail system map is being revised for the Preserve as we explore new hiking trail options in Fryer’s Woods. Click on this link to access the current PDF version of the map.
Recreation Areas
This map contains all areas protected under LWCF restrictions, which includes a portion of the Intramural Fields, LAWCON Tennis Courts near Esker Dining Hall, and the LAWCON Picnic Shelters near the Nature Preserve. Please visit Recreation Sports and Facilities for more information on reservations and access for these properties.
Management
The Nature Preserve is managed by the UW-Whitewater Facilities Planning and Management Grounds Crew and the UW-Whitewater Sustainability Office. The Grounds Crew maintains trails, conducts controlled burns, and monitors other hazards for removal as needed. The Sustainability Office conducts volunteer sessions focused on various management tasks. The restoration activities in the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve helps to maintain a diverse array of ecosystem types by establishing and protecting native plant species and communities. We engage in various management activities in the Nature Preserve throughout the year.
Seed collection occurs in fall and the gathered seeds are used for planting new areas of the prairie, establishing more diverse plants in previously seeded areas, used for natural landscaping through the rest of campus, or donated to other non-profit organizations for their restoration projects. Invasive species removal sessions primarily targeting garlic mustard in May and woody invasives like buckthorn and honeysuckle throughout the year, but especially during winter months. You can learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.
The Sustainability Office also offers various class and community tours to learn more about the native plant life that inhabits the reconstructed areas of prairie.
There is also an advisory sub-committee of the Campus Landscape and Planning Committee populated by various members of the UW-Whitewater faculty and staff and several members of the community. This advisory committee helps inform decisions to protect the well-being and ecological integrity of the Nature Preserve while balancing the needs and access of academic and recreational uses.
History
In 1970, Fryer’s Woods was purchased with matching funds from a federal recreation and conservation grant commonly referred to on campus as LAWCON, now known as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This preserves the 40-acre oak-dominant hardwood forest from development and created a space for outdoor education to be used by various natural science classes and research. The additional 60 acres was purchased in sections to develop future student housing. By 1979, it became evident that the property would not be needed for development and was even considered as a potential site for a new prison!
At this point, the Board of Regents approved the application to develop the “Drumlin Nature Preserve and Recreation Area.” This project, completed in phases, saw the construction of an overlook, fitness trail, several trail boardwalks, two picnic shelters, and the tennis courts near Esker Dining Hall. It was renamed to “UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve and Recreation Area” in 1985. Since this area was also developed with LWCF matching funds, the Nature Preserve and Recreation Area property can only be developed for conservation or recreational use.
Soon after being purchased, individuals working at UW-Whitewater and from the surrounding Whitewater community felt reconstruction of the prairie was the best option to restore a native ecosystem typical of pre-settlement vegetation in our area. Since the land was used for agricultural purposes before purchase, the work of clearing invasive species and reconstructing a new plant community would take a while. Starting in 1992, prairie reconstruction began under the guidance of a committee of campus and community participants. Dr. Richard James was influential in this process, as he spearheaded many of the efforts to reconstruct the prairie, and his contributions are recognized with an honorary burr oak tree planted near the Hoffman Kiosk trailhead.