Lands_Content Page_Erin Prairie Wildlife Area

Erin Prairie Wildlife Area

Schmit Wildlife Area

 

Erin Prairie State Habitat Area is a 149-acre property in northern St. Croix County. It consists of four tracts: McAdams, Ulrich, Goose Pond, and Schmit. The McAdams, Ulrich and Goose Pond parcels were all purchased in 1974 to protect pothole wetlands for waterfowl production and remnant native prairie. 

The Schmit tract is a 78-acre parcel purchased in 2000 as a part of the Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area. It consists primarily of grassland habitat, with a wetland slough splitting the property in half and a small northern hardwoods woodlot along the wetland perimeter. A small remnant prairie is located on the property, giving a good representation of the habitat historically located in the area.

The property is managed as part of the Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area, a landscape-scale wetland and grassland restoration project.

The property is located approximately 4 miles east of New Richmond. Follow County Highway K east out of New Richmond.

Management Objectives

The property is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, wildlife observation and other nature-based outdoor recreation. Management objectives aim to maintain an open grassland community through prescribed fire, mechanical and chemical control of woody species and limited haying and grazing. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or biocontrol.

Recreation

The Schmit Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:

  • Birding
  • Canoeing
  • Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
  • Falconry (by permit)
  • Hiking
  • Hunting (noted for: waterfowl)
  • Snowshoeing
  • Trapping
  • Wild edible/gathering
  • Wildlife viewing

Amenities

  • Bathroom - None
  • Parking lot - is on the Southwest side of Schmidt Tract off 170th Street.
  • Campground and size - None
  • Trails, Types and Lengths - None

Maps

Download [PDF] a map of the Schmit Tract.

Download [PDF] a map of the Ulrich, McAdams, and Goose Pond Tracts.

If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.

Adopt a Fish or Wildlife Area

 

Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.