Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Roche-A-Cri Woods (No. 362)

Overview

Location

Within Roche-A-Cri State Park, Adams County. T18N-R6E, Sections 29, 30. 442 acres.

Access

From the intersection of County Highway J and State Highway 13 in Friendship, go north on 13 2 miles to the Roche-A-Cri State Park entrance. Or continue north on 13 another 0.5 mile, then go east 0.3 mile on Cypress Avenue to a parking area south of the road.

Description

Description

Roche-A- Cri Woods features an old-growth pine-oak forest on the sandy terrain that surrounds Roche-A-Cri mound. Canopy dominants are large white pine, white oak, black oak, red pine, and red oak. Associated species include black cherry, red maple, and big-toothed aspen. Saplings of red maple, white pine, and white oak with ironwood and yellowbud hickory are also present. The varied shrub layer contains American hazelnut, nannyberry, and prickly ash with huckleberry and early low blueberry common throughout. The diverse groundlayer contains at least 220 species including bracken fern, elliptic shin-leaf, interrupted fern, wild sarsaparilla, calico aster, Pennsylvania sedge, and spinulose wood fern. Carter Creek, a class III trout stream, meanders through the site. As the terrain drops towards the creek, the vegetation becomes more mesic with species such as ironwood, maidenhair fern, lady fern, hepatica, early meadow rue, and marsh marigold. Bordering the creek is a wet-mesic floodplain forest of silver maple, green ash, and basswood. Numerous birds use the forest including the uncommonly found Louisiana waterthrush (Seirus motacilla) and the state-threatened red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus). Other migratory bird species are eastern wood-pewee, ovenbird, scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, and rose-breasted grosbeak. Minor natural communities include dry sand prairie, northern dry forest, and oak barrens. Roche-A-Cri Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.

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, 133 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a reserve for northern dry forest, Central Sands pine-oak forest, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will primarily determine the structure of the forest. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality Central Sands pine-oak forest and northern dry forest ecosystems.

Management Approach

In the Central Sands pine-oak forest along the stream corridor, the native dominant tree species (primarily pines and oaks) are managed passively. However, understory manipulation and shrub control via harvest, brushing or fire may be needed to mimic natural disturbance patterns. The mostly passive canopy management and active understory manipulation will determine the ecological characteristics of these areas. In all other areas, management will promote mature northern dry forest conditions; this will not be achieved until jack pines reach maturity. Timber harvest will be done here to foster tree regeneration. Other allowable activities throughout the site include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress wildfires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event is considered compatible with management objectives.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Although removal of hazardous trees from over and near access roads and hiking trails is an allowed activity, manipulation/removal of vegetation and soil disturbance should be minimized to the extent possible.
• The old field east of Highway 13 has been planted to native warm-season grasses to provide habitat for grassland birds.
• Roadside easement areas may be managed sporadically by the state and county.

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)