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5/22/2015  |   08:00 - 19:00   |  Offsite

Field Trip
THE PRESERVES OF MUKWONAGO RIVER WATERSHED AND HISTORIC LAPHAM PEAK The Mukwonago River is one of the healthiest in southeastern Wisconsin. The watershed is located approximately 40 miles southwest of downtown Milwaukee in the southeast glacial plains of Wisconsin. A sizable portion of the watershed is managed as a preserve by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Surrounded by ground-moraines and outwash gravel terraces, the watershed includes important habitat for rare fish and mussels; the Mukwanago River is believed to harbor the largest assemblage of native mollusk species in Wisconsin. Natural areas in the watershed include the Lulu Lake Preserve (203 ha), the Crooked Creek Preserve (112 ha), Pickerel Lake Fen (54 ha), and the Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preserve (264 ha). We will explore the preserves by foot and canoe. The field trip will provide an opportunity to learn how the TNC manages the preserves to maintain rare natural communities and how the organization works with individuals and organizations to promote long-term conservation within the watershed. We will have lunch at a local eatery in the town of Mukwanago. On the way back to Milwaukee we will stop at historic Lapham Peak, one of the first National Weather Service signal stations. There we will climb a 45-foot observation tower to atop the highest point in Waukesha County to view the topography of this post-glacial landscape. If time permits we will stop for a cold beverage at the Water Street Brewery in nearby Delafield. Please wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. Participants should also bring a bottle of water to drink while canoeing. Food and beverage costs are not included in the fee. Bus departs the Hilton Milwaukee Downtown at 8:30 am and returns at 4:30 pm. Contact and Group Leader: Roger Haro, University of Wisconsin La Crosse (email: rharo@uwlax.edu). Limited to 20 participants. Cost:$55 per person.