NEW! Arbutus Oaks SNA botany blitz

The first 2016 botany blitz will be led by Robert Freckmann on Saturday, June 4 blitz at Arbutus Oaks State Natural Area. From the WDNR website: “Situated just south of Arbutus Lake, Arbutus Oaks supports over one mile of undeveloped lakeshore with both oak and white pine over 90 years in age. Although this SNA is not very large, it is important for its scenic, aquatic, and terrestrial features and two rare birds are known from the area. Dominant natural communities of this site include a southern dry-mesic forest and a small area of white pine-red maple swamp. Long-term management goals are to provide a large area of structurally and functionally diverse, older, intact and connected forest comprised of old-growth mixed hardwood and conifer species. Management will also focus on preserving coarse woody debris and retaining dead snags for wildlife habitat and structural diversity. Arbutus Oaks is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2010” (http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=610).

Directions: meet at 10 a.m. at the Cenex station on the north side of Hatfield on highway J about a quarter mile east of junction with highway K. For those coming from the south using Interstate 94, take highway 54 at Black River Falls east 4 miles, then K north about 7 miles through Hatfield to J, then right on J. For anyone arriving late, they can find us by taking W. Clay School Road east from K about 2 .5 miles to Campground Road, then north on Campground Road to the boat-landing and campground. We will probably start by walking the gated road to the west which parallels the SNA, but is about 0.2 mile south of the SNA boundary. Suggested items to bring along: field guide, insect/tick repellent, drinking water, sack lunch, camera, binoculars, pencil/pen, notepad.

Please forward this announcement to other potential blitz volunteers who may be interested in attending. The blitz information is also posted under “Announcements” on the BCW website (https://sites.google.com/site/botanicalclubofwisconsin/news) and the BCW Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BotClubWis/).