Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Haskell Noyes Woods (No. 11)

Overview

Location

Within the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Fond du Lac County. T13N-R19E, Section 12 E½NW¼. 67 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 67 and F in Dundee, go southwest on 67 0.4 mile, then south on County G 2.1 miles, then east on County SS 0.9 mile, then south on County GGG 0.1 miles to a parking area and historical marker west of the road.

Description

Description

Haskell Noyes Memorial Woods is a classic example of southern dry-mesic forest dominated by sugar maple and red oak, with smaller amounts of basswood, white ash, bitternut hickory, and ironwood. The site lies on an interlobate moraine formed between the Green Bay and Lake Michigan lobes of the Wisconsin stage of glaciation with numerous kames, kettles, and ridges. The forest was never clearcut or heavily harvested during the logging era of the 19th century leaving red oaks that established during the 1860's and 1870's. And unlike other forests, fire has not occurred on these moist soils for the past several hundred years. The forest understory is open, with few shrubs but a rich spring flora and diversity of ferns. Plants include maidenhair, fragile, cinnamon and lady ferns, hepaticas, clustered black snakeroot, large flowered trillium, red trillium, may-apple, large-leaved shinleaf, large-leaved bellwort, and wild geranium. A small area to the north is composed of swamp hardwoods and tamaracks. A high percentage of gravel is found in the soils and steep slopes are thus prone to erosion. The land was purchased in 1947 to prevent imminent logging. Haskell Noyes Memorial Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1952.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 40 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 240 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as an old-growth southern dry-mesic forest reserve and ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest.

Management Approach

The native species are managed passively, which allows nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the site. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress fires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event is not considered compatible with management objectives.

Site-Specific Considerations

• The two-acre old field will be allowed to be invaded by woody species.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)