Leola Marsh Wildlife Area
Leola Marsh Wildlife Area is a 2,550-acre property located 15 miles southeast of Wisconsin Rapids. It can be accessed from County Highways D and W. The wildlife area is predominately non-native cool season grassland that was formerly marsh, drained with the many drainage ditches dug in the first part of the 1900s.
Leola Marsh sits in the heart of the area first studied by Frances and Frederick Hamerstrom in the 1950s-70s on the habitat needs of Wisconsin’s greater prairie chickens. This property is home to many grassland bird species of conservation need, as well as state-threatened greater prairie chicken and upland sandpiper. If you enjoy birding, make the trip and enjoy a walk across large tracts of open public grassland. You can also visit the nearby Buena Vista Grasslands for additional grassland birding opportunities.
Many butterfly species can be found here in the spring and summer, including Purplish Coppers, Silver-bordered Fritillary and Monarchs.
Management Objectives
Leola Marsh is part of the southernmost range of Wisconsin's prairie chicken population and was purchased to protect their grassland habitat.
The primary management objective of this property is to maintain quality grassland habitat and reduce the number of trees on the property.
To maintain the open grassland landscape needed by prairie chickens and other grassland-dependent wildlife, management techniques like prescribed burning, grazing and mowing are used. Additionally, staff works with farmers in the area and leases the area for hay harvest annually.
For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
The Leola Marsh Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Fishing
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom - None.
- Parking lots - Yes, there are two on the property.
- Campground and size - None.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - None.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.