City of Fitchburg, WI

Natural Areas Management

The City aims to prepare and execute restoration and management plans for its unique natural areas, especially for forested areas and prairies. The main purpose of a restoration and management plan is to provide alternative management prescriptions based on an assessment of the site that takes into account current and historical vegetation, habitat classification, topography, hydrology, wildlife, and public uses. The plan will identify specific operations, a maintenance schedule, and resources for completion of a management prescription. It will also set forth long range goals for the management and maintenance of the site.

Prairies/Savannas

Every year a few select public prairies and grasslands undergo prescribed burning to increase plant diversity, control invading woody plants, release nutrients into the soil, and improve space and light conditions for native plants.

The following areas were burned in April 2013: Harlan Hills prairie restoration area

The following areas were burned in Spring 2011:

Bluestem Park (6.1 ac)
Dawley Conservancy (6.3 ac)
Harlan Hills Prairie
Oak Meadow Park
Swan Creek Park (5.7 ac)

Forested Areas

Nobel Woods

In 2005, staff prepared the Nobel Woods Forestry Management Plan. As a part of the implementation of this plan, volunteer, Jeremy Hecht, has been removing garlic mustard, buckthorn, box elder, black locust, and other invasive plants in an effort to restore the oak-hickory forest. This will be his third year doing restoration at Nobel Woods and he needs your help!

2012 Nobel Woods Work Days

McGaw Park

The Friends of McGaw Park have helped to maintain the woods by removing honeysuckle and other invasive species along trails. At a visioning session for the park, citizens recommended additional management of the forest. Staff will be creating a forest management plan with the input of the public.