Namekagon Barrens Field Trip
Join ANPE for a unique trip to the Namekagon Barrens in Wisconsin! Led by two expert botanists with experience in these barrens – Derek Anderson of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Paul Hlina, retired botanist and volunteer rare plant monitor.
Date & Time: Saturday August 1 from 10am – 12pm.
Location: Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area. We will meet at the Friends of the Namekagon Barrens cabin located on Gomulak Fire Lane (near the intersection of Gomulak Fire Lane and St. Croix Trail). This location has a picnic shelter and ‘port-a-potty’ facilities if needed. From here we will caravan to a few sites around the barrens.
The cabin is located at: 46.113231, -92.071182
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DLBKZK42SEAiTqJZA Additional map with directions below.
Event Description: The Namekagon Barrens of northwestern Wisconsin are situated near the confluence of the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers (part of the National Park’s National Scenic Riverways). The site is over 6,000 acres and located within Wisconsin’s Northwest Sands ecological region. While pine forests, oak forests and pine plantations surround the site, its premier feature is the globally rare pine barrens community. This community is characterized by expansive open areas dominated by low growing shrubs and scattered mature jack and red pines. The openness of the community is maintained through frequent prescribed fires by wildlife managers. The ground flora is a mix of tallgrass prairie species from the south and west and woodland species from the north and east. More than 190 species of vascular plants have been documented in the barrens habitat of this site. In addition to the spectacular flora, the community is home to a number of wildlife species including sharp-tailed grouse, upland sandpipers, badgers, wolves, turkeys, deer and black bears.
Event Leaders:
Derek Anderson is a botanist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He lives in northwest Wisconsin and has been studying the barrens flora of northwestern Wisconsin for more than 20 years.
Paul Hlina is a retired botanist from the Lake Superior Research Institute and former native plant nursery owner. He lives near Superior, Wisconsin and has been studying the barrens flora of northwestern Wisconsin for more than 30 years. Along with collaborator Rick Haug, we recently completed a multi-year study documenting the barrens flora of the northwest sands ecological region in Wisconsin (an area spanning more than 100 miles from south of Grantsburg, WI to north of Iron River, WI).
Additional details: Accessibility is easy to moderate. The majority of the site is level with minimal elevation changes. There are no trails, but most areas will be near township roads with easy walking over level to slightly uneven terrain. Hats, sunscreen and water are recommended as there is little shade. All levels of expertise are welcome and encouraged as we explore the site. Prepare for mosquitos and ticks. Please refrain from bringing pets to this event to respect the sensitive plants within this community.
Event cost: Your $20 (per household) annual Arrowhead Native Plant Explorers membership includes access to all events and field trips ($10 for students). For nonmembers, your first meeting or event is free and subsequent events are $10 per event.
Skill Level: Beginner. No plant knowledge or prior plant collecting experience necessary.
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Arrowhead Native Plant Explorers 