Cultural and Natural History
Crex Meadows occupies the southern portion of what early writers referred
to as the Northwest Wisconsin Pine Barrens.
The "Barrens" is a long, narrow sand plain extending from
northern Polk County to southern Bayfield County and covers 1,500 square
miles.
View of prairie plants found at Crex Meadows
Photo Credit: Gary
Dunsmoor
At the time of settlement, the upland vegetation in the area now occupied by Crex, consisted of a few large red and jack pine scattered throughout an open expanse dominated by brush and prairie grasses and forbs. This vegetation was maintained by wildfires which periodically swept through the area.
Settlers tried farming the sandy upland soils but generally had poor success. Over the years the land was used for cranberry, hay and vegetable production with little success. Farmers also practiced fire control. In the absence of fire, much of the area grew into an oak-jack pine forest. Prairie wildlife gradually declined, as the brush prairie habitat was lost. Large scale drainage of wetlands for farming upset the entire ecological pattern of the marshes. By 1940, nearly two thirds of the land in the area was tax delinquent. In 1946, the state purchased 12,000 acres of this tax delinquent land to start the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area.
Following initial prescribed burns to convert forests back to brush prairie, a tremendous response in prairie plants was observed. As noted elsewhere in Wisconsin, prairie plants persisted for decades under the forest canopy until released by removal of the forest overstory. The Crex plant list includes nearly 600 species including more than 200 with prairie affinities.
Prescribed burn at Crex Meadow
Photo Credit: Gary
Dunsmoor
Clearing and prescribed burning were used to restore 7,000 acres of brush prairie. Approximately, 3,500 acres of brush prairie and sedge marsh are burned annually for maintenance purposes.
Wetland management is employed primarily to increase
waterfowl production. Management practices include water level manipulation,
construction and maintenance of waterfowl nesting islands, establishment
of dense nesting cover, and construction of breeding pair ponds.
Crex has approximately 6,000 acres of open water in a normal precipitation
year. Open water is found in twenty-nine flowages, four natural lakes,
scores of beaver ponds and natural openings in the sedge marshes, and
hundreds of constructed potholes. Three streams begin on the property
and drain into the Wood and St. Croix Rivers.
Many types of waterfowl use the open waters
of Crex Meadows.
Photo Credit:
WDNR-Crex Meadows
A variety of surveys and wildlife research projects are conducted by Department personnel and universities. Recent projects include the trumpeter swan reintroduction, trapping and monitoring of timber wolves, a sharp-tailed grouse relocation project, and Karner blue butterfly and pine barrens studies.
Sharp-tailed grouse
Photo Credit: WDNR-Crex
Meadows
Crex Meadows provides habitat for a great diversity of
wildlife. Two hundred and seventy species
of birds use the property along with nearly every mammal found in Wisconsin
and a good variety of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
One of the highlights of Crex is the number of endangered and threatened
species. Crex has breeding populations of osprey, eagles, trumpeter
swans, Karner blue butterflies, Blandings turtles, and red-necked grebes.
Timber wolves have used the property on a regular basis in recent years.
Wildlife is especially abundant and visible during the fall migration
when as many as 50 bald eagles, 7000 sandhill cranes, 12,000 Canada
and snow geese, and thousands of ducks are present.
Banded trumpeter swan
Photo Credit: Gary
Dunsmoor
Approximately 75% of Crex visitors come to view the wildlife and landscape. The popularity of these activities at Crex are attributed to the large size of the property, spectacular, unobstructed vistas, a great diversity and abundance of plant and wildlife species, and a system of well maintained roads, observation and rest areas which provide excellent access and abundant opportunities for viewing wildlife and the landscape. Other recreational opportunities include hiking and cross country skiing, snow shoeing, photography, and nature study.
For more information on Crex Meadows visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or the Crex Meadow Home Page
