Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Holland Red Maple Swamp (No. 380)

Overview

Location

Located within Holland Wildlife Area, Brown County. T21N-R20E, Sections 14, 15. 206 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 96 and 32 in Greenleaf, go east on 96 2.4 miles, then south on Refuge Road about 1 mile to a parking area west of the road.

Description

Description

Holland Red Maple Swamp features a northern hardwood swamp and a northern wet-mesic forest located within the Holland Wildlife Area. The hardwood swamp is dominated by red maple, green ash, and black ash with occasional swamp white oak and tamarack while white cedar dominates the wet-mesic forest. The ground flora contains small-spike false nettle, pale touch-me-not, common lady fern, royal fern, and crested wood fern. The site is recovering from logging nearly 100 years ago with an average tree diameter between 10-15 inches. Animals include fox squirrel, red fox, gray partridge, woodcock, and ruffed grouse. Holland Red Maple Swamp 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, 142 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a reserve for hardwood swamp and northern wet-mesic forest, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native hardwood swamps and northern wet-mesic forests.

Management Approach

Native species are managed passively, allowing nature to determine the ecological characteristics. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, access to suppress fires, salvage of trees after a major wind event, and maintenance of existing facilities.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Roadside easement area may be managed sporadically by township.

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)