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Emerald Valley Wildlife Area

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Emerald Valley Wildlife Area is a 156-acre property located in east-central St. Croix County. The property was donated to the DNR from the Kinnickinnic Chapter of Pheasants Forever in 2005 to be managed as a state wildlife area. The property consists of restored grasslands (139 acres) and a small northern hardwood woodlot (17 acres).

The property provides the opportunity for hunting pheasants, turkey, deer, and other small game. 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 9 miles northeast of Baldwin. Follow Highway 63 north out of Baldwin, then turn east on 160th Avenue for approximately 1.5 miles. The property is located on the north side of 160th Avenue, where a parking lot allows for easy access to the property.

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. The forested portions of the property are managed to perpetuate northern hardwoods cover type to provide forested habitat for wildlife. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or biocontrol.

Visit the property planning for more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state.

Recreation

The Emerald Valley Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:

  • Birding
  • Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
  • Falconry (by permit)
  • Hiking (no designated trail)
  • Hunting (noted for pheasant, deer, turkey and small game)
  • Snowshoeing
  • Trapping
  • Wild edible/gathering
  • Wildlife viewing

Amenities

  • Bathroom - none.
  • Parking lot - many parking areas are available on this property.
  • Campground and size - none.
  • Trails, Types and Lengths - non-designated only.

Maps

Download [PDF] a map of this property.

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.