Parks & Nature

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Upland grasses support more than 223 species of birds, and many other diverse wildlife in Marquette County. Sandhill cranes are protected—from the first nesting pair in the early 1900’s to almost 35,000 additional cranes that pass through the area today. Having almost become extinct at one time, they have made an overwhelming comeback, migrating to this type of habitat annually. It has been said that once a crane has found a mate, the pair will partner for life. So, if you notice a single crane by itself, it is either a newborn or its mate is no longer by its side. They are also known for their “DANCE!” If you ever come upon this almost prehistoric looking bird performing a “wounded” type dance on our ever-so-beautiful country roads, please slow down—possibly even stop. It’s very possible that the crane is attempting to protect its young. Their little one may be getting ready to scurry across the road to its other parent, who might be doing the same dance at a distance. Both mates perform the “dance” so as to distract you, so that their little one can remain unnoticed and most importantly, unharmed. Enjoy their look, appreciate their unique sound, and marvel their existence—a rare sight to see!

John Muir Park
Muir Park contains a variety of upland and wetland communities surrounding 30-acre Ennis Lake, a spring-fed kettle lake occupying a marshy pocket in ground moraine. The seepage lake has a marl bottom and a maximum depth of 30 feet. The surrounding vegetation is diverse and includes a rich fen that lies along an outlet stream, sedge meadow, an open bog, northern wet
forest dominated by tamarack, southern dry forest, oak opening, and wetmesic prairie. The area was settled in 1849 by the Ennis and Muir families and was the boyhood home of John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, who admired the natural beauty of the area. Restored and reserved, as it was 100 years ago when John Muir wandered its hills and meadows, Muir’s Fountain Lake Farm still rings with the sounds of songbirds. The shores of Fountain Lake (now renamed Ennis Lake) still dance with the elegant mating rituals of the Great Sandhill Cranes in spring and harbor flocks of waterfowl on their twiceyearly migrations. This park was recently designated a National Historic Landmark. From the intersection of State Rd 22 and Cty Rd F south of Montello, go south on F 7.6 miles to the park entrance. A trail and boardwalk leads around the lake.

Mecan River Discovery Center
Set in the midst of nature’s outdoor wonderland, the new Mecan River Discovery Center provides educational field days, outdoor skills programs and professionally guided field trips and nature hikes. The Center programs include: “Discovery Weekends,” where participants step away from modern life, stay in rustic bunkhouses, cook over open fires, and enjoy quiet nature adventures such as;“Wild Wednesdays” when participants meet and learn about a variety of wild critters and; "Froggy, Froggy Nights" in spring; a Festival of the Birds, with wild bird displays, games, hikes, and live birds of prey; Butterfly Hikes; and a “Spooky Harvest Festival” featuring
spooky wild things, including owls that hoot in the night, harvest crafts, games, food, raffles and more. The Center is located at W3287 Dixie Avenue in Neshkoro.

Grand River Wildlife Area
Cty Hwy B Marquette County. The 7,000-acre Grand River Wildlife Area has become one of the largest Canada Geese staging areas in North America. Fed by the Grand River, and Spring and Belle Fountain Creeks, the Grand River Wildlife Area covers about 3,500 acres of surface water. Birds thrive here, with thousands of ducks visiting the marsh each year–many staying to nest and raise their broods. Herons, cranes, coots, rails, bitterns and other marsh birds are common residents or visitors, along with a variety of songbirds that thrive in the surrounding
willows and uplands. Osprey also fish the crystal waters of the area, also referred to as Grand Lake. Much of the Grand River area is open for public hunting. Grouse, pheasant, woodcock, quail and wild turkey are plentiful, along with deer, rabbits and squirrels. Hiking trails provide convenient access to the area’s other major activities -- wildlife observation, bird watching and photography. Part of the Wildlife Area is closed to hunting, offering refuge to many species of
birds. This closed area is well marked and cannot be entered at all during certain times of the year.

Germania Marsh Wildlife Area
Cty Hwy N Marquette County. The Germania Marsh Wildlife Area, which includes more than 2,000 acres of wetland and upland habitats, has been a popular destination for hunters, wildlife observers, conservationists and photographers for almost 35 years. The area is served by a
number of public access points, boat launching sites (no motors allowed), hiking trails, and wildlife viewing stations. Abounding with a variety of furbearing animals, waterfowl, marsh birds, reptiles and amphibians, the marsh is a photographer’s and wildlife observer's delight. Thanks to an abundance of grain and alfalfa for food, along with trees and shrubs that provide winter and nesting cover, the uplands that surround the wildlife area teem with animals and game birds. Most of the Germania Marsh Wildlife Area is open to public hunting and available all year ‘round. A few wellmarked waterfowl refuge areas are closed at certain times of the year.

Duffy's Marsh
Recently restored, three-square-mile Duffy’s Marsh includes 1,000 acres of open water area and 700 acres of grassy wetland and upland, providing habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and shore birds. Hwy. 22, Montello.

Summerton Bog at Endeavor Marsh
Summerton Bog, located on the west end of the Endeavor Marsh, is a throwback to the time when mastodons roamed the edges of the glacial lake and long-necked dinosaurs foraged among the treetops. Protected by the Nature Conservancy, this 160-acre patch of prehistoric bog contains many rare and endangered plants, including wild orchids, living fossils, all descendants of species that pre-date human existence.

Page Creek Marsh
The Nature Conservancy protects 132 acres of the 456-acre Page Creek Marsh, a major staging area for sandhill cranes and an important nesting area for many kinds of waterfowl. The preserve has a good trail and boardwalk system, making it a great place to bird watch, or to just get close to nature.

Comstock Marsh
This huge area of floating bog and wetlands is a popular staging area for cranes and supports many rare plant varieties.

Fox River National Wildlife Refuge
Located across from Muir Park, on Cty. Hwy F, the Fox River Unit of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is a major staging area for Great Sandhill Cranes as well as a migratory resting place for ducks, geese, herons, egrets, hawks and songbirds. Mostly marsh, with some upland prairie habitat, the Refuge hosts a wide variety of game, fur-bearing animals, reptiles, amphibians, shorebirds and upland gamebirds.The refuge is easily accessible and crisscrossed with numerous hiking trails to accommodate hunters, hikers, and wildlife observers. The rich variety of plant and animal life attracts amateur and professional botanists, naturalists and wildlife photographers.