moely prairie - prairie du sac, WI
Moely Prairie (pronounced MAY-lee) is a 23.5 acre, never plowed, remnant prairie in Sauk County. It is owned by local resident, Barbara Moely, who opted to protect the prairie in 2015, via a perpetual conservation easement, entrusting management to The Prairie Enthusiasts. Because of Ms. Moely's foresight, this land is being restored to its native prairie origins, and native plants, wildflowers, and wildlife are once again making the prairie their home.
Important species on the prairie include Prairie Smoke, Eastern Prickly Pear, Rough Blazing Star, Spotted Horsemint, and Bush Indigo, to name just a few. Bird species on this prairie include Clay-colored Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Killdeer. Many native bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers make their home here, too. Our early autumn walk along the easy prairie trail revealed grasshoppers leaping to and fro through the grasses, peeking out at us from atop blooming Goldenrod.
Although the prairie is surrounded on all sides by either residential or commercial properties, it's easy to let those disappear among the tall grasses, and leafy views. Well placed benches invite you to have a seat beneath tall trees to breathe in the natural beauty. How lucky the local residents are to be able to look out and enjoy the views of the prairie from their backyards. It's no wonder the project continues with the help of community partners.
The prairie has become an outdoor classroom for students from the local schools. In 2018, students from Sauk Prairie High School participated in a citizen science project that included collecting data on Monarch butterfly populations. Educational opportunities abound here.
I've been wanting to visit Moely Prairie for quite some time, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to go. I love what they're doing here, and the passion with which they do it. I'm so glad to be able to follow along and watch its progress.
The prairie is open to the public daily, during daylight hours.
Remain on trails, No Pets allowed due to the protected plant and bird species.
Volunteer opportunities are available.
Location: 2200 Fullerton Drive, Prairie Du Sac, WI (Sauk County)
For more information, click here.
Important species on the prairie include Prairie Smoke, Eastern Prickly Pear, Rough Blazing Star, Spotted Horsemint, and Bush Indigo, to name just a few. Bird species on this prairie include Clay-colored Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Killdeer. Many native bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers make their home here, too. Our early autumn walk along the easy prairie trail revealed grasshoppers leaping to and fro through the grasses, peeking out at us from atop blooming Goldenrod.
Although the prairie is surrounded on all sides by either residential or commercial properties, it's easy to let those disappear among the tall grasses, and leafy views. Well placed benches invite you to have a seat beneath tall trees to breathe in the natural beauty. How lucky the local residents are to be able to look out and enjoy the views of the prairie from their backyards. It's no wonder the project continues with the help of community partners.
The prairie has become an outdoor classroom for students from the local schools. In 2018, students from Sauk Prairie High School participated in a citizen science project that included collecting data on Monarch butterfly populations. Educational opportunities abound here.
I've been wanting to visit Moely Prairie for quite some time, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to go. I love what they're doing here, and the passion with which they do it. I'm so glad to be able to follow along and watch its progress.
The prairie is open to the public daily, during daylight hours.
Remain on trails, No Pets allowed due to the protected plant and bird species.
Volunteer opportunities are available.
Location: 2200 Fullerton Drive, Prairie Du Sac, WI (Sauk County)
For more information, click here.
All photos, blog posts, and content are copyright (c) 2014-2023 Kimberly Mackowski, unless otherwise noted. |
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