Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Bauer Brockway Barrens (No. 325)

Overview

Location

Jackson County. T21N-R3W, Section 16. 240 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 94 and 54 in Black River Falls, go east on 54 0.4 mile, then east on West Bauer Road 3.8 miles, then north on Brockway Road 0.2 mile to a parking area east of the road.

Description

Description

Bauer-Brockway Barrens features scattered jack pine and Hill’s oak within a matrix of sand prairie and shrubs located on the level sandy soils characteristic of the extinct Glacial Lake Wisconsin. American hazelnut and New Jersey Tea dominate the shrub layer while sand prairie species dominate the understory with little blue-stem, June grass, western sunflower, bastard-toadflax, cream wild indigo, flowering spurge, yellow flax, pale-spike lobelia, sand primrose, and bird’s-foot violet. Composites are especially diverse with five asters, four species of goldenrod, and three species of blazing-star. The site has a diverse butterfly component including one of the most diverse moth fauna of any other barrens in the state. The federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) occurs here along with the state-threatened phlox moth (Schinia indiana) and frosted elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus). Five other rare butterflies occur here - dusty (Atrytonopsis hianna), cobweb (Hesperia metea), and Leonardus skippers (H. leonardus leonardus), mottled duskywing (Erynnis martialis), and the Gorgone checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone). Wild lupine, the larval food of the Karner blue butterfly, has been planted in some of the restored areas to help maintain healthy numbers of this endangered species. Indian Grave Creek runs northwest southeast through the barrens adding to the overall site diversity. Bauer-Brockway Barrens is owned by the DNR and Jackson County and was designated a state natural area in 1997.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 50 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 120 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a pine barrens reserve and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes and prescribed vegetation manipulation (see below) will determine the structure of the savanna. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native pine barrens.

Management Approach

The native dominant tree species (primarily jack pine) are managed actively. However, some trees such as scattered northern pin oak and red pine are not harvested. After jack pine is established, thinning of the canopy and shrub control via harvest, brushing or fire may be needed to mimic natural disturbance patterns. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress fires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event can occur if the volume of woody material inhibits fire prescriptions.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Roadside easement area may be managed sporadically by township.
• Aspen will be harvested and treated with herbicide in the southern five acres to provide savanna habitat structure.
• Scattered Scots pine from the former Christmas tree operation will be continuously cut until they are eliminated from the site.
• Karner Blue Butterfly monitoring is conducted in cooperation with Jackson County.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)