Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Berlin Fen (No. 207)

Overview

Location

Green Lake County. T17N-R13E, Section 12 W½SW¼NW¼. 22 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highways 49 and 91 in Berlin, go east on 91 2 miles, then south on Willard Road 0.25 mile to the northwest corner of the tract. The site lies east of Willard Road and north of the Green Lake County Trail.

Description

Description

Berlin Fen contains two mound fens, the smaller on the south side near the abandoned railroad trail and the larger covering nearly the entire northern portion of the site. The mounds are dome-shaped piles of wet calcareous peat and have unique combinations of plants. The larger mound is dominated by shrubby cinquefoil and chairmaker's rush while the smaller mound is dominated by prairie grasses. Throughout the main mounds are areas of marl rivulets and pools, which harbor a very unusual flora including special concern species slender bog arrow-grass (Triglochin palustris) with grass-of-parnassus, bladderwort, and large populations of pitcher plant. Preliminary studies suggest that sedge wren, common yellowthroat, and savanna and clay-colored sprarrows breed here. Berlin Fen is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1986.

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.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 111 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 30 KB]

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)