Seminary Woods
Background
This revered woodland is located near Lake Michigan in the southeastern portion of Milwaukee County in the City of St Francis. This southern mesic forest contains 68 acres of giant trees, rare ephemeral flowers, migratory birds, and a wide variety of wildlife. The footpaths that crisscross the vast woods have been used by generations of neighbors and distant visitors.
A now rare mix of large beech, sugar maple, basswood, red and white oak, and some white birch tower over the mature ironwood, musclewood, and witchhazel composing the understory (Detailed vegetation studies were performed by James B. Levenson in 1975 as a doctoral study in Plant Ecology with the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. More recently Richard Barloga and Lawrence A. Leitner, principal biologist for SEWRPC, have also separately performed vegetation surveys of the area). This woodland represents the last remnants of what used to be a major forest type along Milwaukee’s coast. It has seen fewer of the major incursions from invasive species than many of the other mature hardwood forests in southeastern Wisconsin due to the ongoing efforts of volunteers, its shear size, and relative isolation.
Large colonies of trillium, and both white and yellow trout lilies dominate portions of the forest floor while hepatica, bloodroot, blue stemmed goldenrod, ferns, and the occasional lion’s paw dot the spots between moss covered logs and lichen patched boulders in the groundlayer. This high species diversity and canopy maturity along with the low frequency of weeds like garlic mustard, buckthorn, and honeysuckle gives an immediate sense of why it is considered one of the "special places to preserve and protect" by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the Land Legacy Report.
The future of the woods is somewhat uncertain. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is considering a sale of its portion of the property known as the Cousins Center. The chance of development on any adjacent parcel is a major threat to the integrity of the woods as encroachment and invasive species pressure will quickly degrade the woodland quality. This parcel represents less than one percent of what was once a major component of the natural plant community for the region, any loss or degradation is considered too great.
What is Happening
A broad partnership of local residents, environmental groups, land conservation groups, & government entities joined their efforts under the umbrella of the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy to provide long-term protection of the site. They are working now to help permanently protect 60 acres of Seminary Woods and ensure its health for future generations.
What You Can Do
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund is a state program that grants funds for the purchase & preservation of significant state lands. An application is being made, but we need your help to garner wide-spread support for using stewardship funds for Seminary Woods. This woods is sacred ground; home to giant trees and rare plants and animals. The woods need permanent protection!
Help us protect Seminary Woods by signing the online petition below!
- Seminary Woods Online Petition
Who to Contact
1. Contact the chairs of the Joint Finance Committee, who vote on the Stewardship Fund:
Senator Russ Decker
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
Sen.decker@legis.wisconsin.gov
Representative Kitty Rhoades
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708-8953
Rep.rhoades@legis.wisconsin.gov
Or call them at 1-800-362-9472.
2. Contact your Senate and Assembly Representatives at:
Seminary Woods is located within District 7:
Senator Jeffrey Plale
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707-7882
414-744-1444
Sen.plale@legis.wisconsin.gov
Seminary Woods is located within 1 mile of District 19:
Representative Jon Richards
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708-8952
414-270-9898
Rep.Richards@legis.wisconsin.gov
Seminary Woods is located within District 20:
Representative Christine Sinicki
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708-8953
414-481-7667
Rep.sinicki@legis.wisconsin.gov
Go to http://waml.legis.state.wi.us to find out who are your legislators.
Seminary Woods is of Regional value! Be sure to contact Senators and Representatives throughout the Southeastern Wisconsin Area.
3. Contact our Governor:
Governor Jim Doyle
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707-7882
608-266-1212
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/contact.asp?locid=19
Franklin Savanna
Background
Franklin Savanna State Natural Area (FSSNA) is a 85.6 acre site located on Oakwood Road in the City of Franklin. This rare habitat consists of floodway, floodplain, and associated wetlands along Ryan Creek. Adjacent upland communities, include degraded oak savanna remnants, scattered open and forested wetlands, and row-cropped agricultural fields and pastures. The conservation value of the FSSNA is recognized for containing elements of mesic oak savanna or oak opening, one of the rarest plant communities in Wisconsin.
This natural area has been studied and documented by many over the years. The invaluable information, gathered about the site's preliminary vegetation and floristic surveys by Richard Barloga of the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy (MALC), staff of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (Leitner et al. 2003, 2001, 1992, 1978), the Natural Areas Preservation Council, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Endangered Resources, and the Milwaukee County Parks (2004), and various individuals of the Franklin Savanna Friends Group.
The Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy is partnering with the Natural Resource Foundation and Milwaukee County to increase the Friends Group volunteer pool and raise funds that will help implement the AES restoration plan. Land uses in the watershed including urban and residential development will continue to threaten the stability and ecological health of the natural communities of the site. A conservation plan for surrounding lands will be needed to protect this site from further degradation.
- Franklin Savanna Informational Brochure
What is Happening
A broad group of organizations, businesses, and governments are coming together to preserve, protect, and revitalize this precious natural area.
On February 27th, 2008, individuals representing the WDNR, Milwaukee County, the City of Franklin, MALC, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and many others met at the Franklin Public Library to discuss the site’s next steps.
Thanks to this meeting, a set of goals was promoted:
- MALC and Milwaukee County will apply for grants to help fund restoring the site.
- The City of Franklin will begin looking into rezoning the land in and around the savanna as a conservancy district.
- To begin a series of volunteer groups to converge on the site and work on restoration and revitalization of the site, moderated by Milwaukee County and MALC’s land management team.
- To possibly create an endowment for the site, for maintenance and other upkeep.
- To seek out individuals, organizations, and area businesses for contributions and volunteers.
- To provide an opportunity to tour similar sites with Dr. Jim Reinartz of the UWM Field Station for educational purposes.
A Friends of Franklin Park meeting will be held in the coming weeks to begin the volunteer sign-up and process. Please check the Get Involved page on this site for dates and times for these events.
To make a contribution for the FSSNA, please go to our Membership page and fill out one of the three options provided – a pledge form, membership form, or send a contribution via PayPal.