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Know Your Madisonian: John Kessler restoring little-known prairie remnant

ASHTON CORNERS — Chances are you’ve seen it, though you’ve probably never been there. Situated in the middle of a farm field just off Highway 12 north of Middleton, the Ashton Unit of the Empire Prairies is a 12-acre state natural area with no public access. But a couple of times each week, John Kessler drives his Ford F-350 up a dirt road to tend the hilltop, a remnant of a vast prairie that once spanned much of Dane and Columbia counties. “It’s original soil that’s never been tilled before. Because of that it has a rich assemblage of native plants and several rare plants,” said Jared Urban, state natural area coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources. “It’s kind of like old-growth forest, except old-growth grassland.”

New Report Highlights Volunteers Contributions To State Natural Areas » Urban Milwaukee

Organized Volunteer Workdays Resume This Month A DNR staffer scatters native seed collected by volunteers at a State Natural Area. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is celebrating volunteers who work on their own or in socially-distanced small groups at State Natural Areas (SNAs) to help control invasive species, collect and plant native seeds and cut and burn brush during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The DNR’s recently released 2020 SNA Volunteer Report shows that such volunteers collectively contributed as many hours – nearly 5,800 – as in previous years, despite COVID-19 safety precautions and group size restrictions.

Gov Lee, former Gov Dunn celebrate 50th anniversary of Tennessee State Natural Areas

Gov. Lee, former Gov. Dunn celebrate 50th anniversary of Tennessee State Natural Areas WTVF and last updated 2021-05-04 18:00:14-04 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Gov. Bill Lee and former Gov. Winfield Dunn celebrated the 50th anniversary of the legislation that created Tennessee State Natural Areas. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation hosted the event at the Netherton Overlook at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. “We are blessed with remarkable natural resources across our state, and Tennessee State Natural Areas preserve these sites for generations to come,” Lee said. “I am especially pleased that Governor Dunn could be with us to celebrate this outstanding work and achievement for our state.”

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