Taking action to protect UW-Stout's last remaining wetland

Abstract

Wetlands provide many essential ecosystem functions, such as flood control, wildlife habitat, and groundwater recharge. Although wetlands in Wisconsin are protected, not all wetlands are recognized. According to the Wisconsin Public Land Survey records of 1849, a tamarack bog wetland once existed where the University of Wisconsin-Stout is currently located. A 1.01 acre remnant of that original wetland still exists, located within the outdoor classroom area on the south end of the UW-Stout campus, east of the UW-Stout baseball field and north of 18th Street. In order to protect and properly manage this wetland, the wetland boundaries were identified using the protocols established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology were evaluated to determine the boundary of the UW-Stout wetland. Establishing the wetland boundary is a critical step in protecting and managing this unique remnant wetland. Now that the wetland area has been defined, UW-Stout Biology faculty will have the ability to pursue grant opportunities to continue the wetland restoration efforts.