Stony Creek Prairie

(Left) Stony Creek Natural Area in Spring. (Right) Stony Creek Natural Area in Summer.

 

This narrow stretch in Southern Door was planted in row crops for years. The area contains a natural spring which feeds into Stony Creek, a Lake Michigan tributary. In addition to being a difficult location to grow crops, run-off from the compacted field eroded the streambank.

After protecting this land in 2021, we worked with U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Partner Program and the Fund for Lake Michigan to establish a prairie on the former agricultural field. The prairie contains plants native to Wisconsin, such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), and showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). Their roots grow deep to anchor the soil and reduce erosion. This restoration effort has attracted pollinators and benefited water quality and fish habitat in southern Door County’s largest stream system.

Door County historically did not have prairies due to its northern location and coverage of thick forests. Today, by converting non-forested land to prairie, we can improve biodiversity, benefit native pollinators which are essential to agriculture, and set the stage for healthy succession back to native landscapes.

Please keep in mind that as a natural area, Stony Creek Natural Area does not have maintained trails or a parking lot. Visit our list of nature preserves to find a public hiking trail. 

 

 

Wild bergamot and brown-eyed Susan. Lucy Hodkiewicz

A bee collecting pollen on goldenrod. Lucy Hodkiewicz

Stony Creek Natural Area, protected in part thanks to grants from USFWS & Fund for Lake Michigan. Lucy Hodkiewicz