The Augusta Wildlife Area is a tract of protected land located in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).[1] The land to be used for the Wildlife Area was first acquired in 1942, and the land contained within it has grown from 2,020 acres (820 ha) to the 2,503 acres (1,013 ha) that it is now, with an ultimate goal of controlling 2,640 acres (1,070 ha). The Wildlife Area falls within the bounds of both the Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape[2] and the Central Sand Plains Ecological Landscape.[3]
| Augusta Wildlife Area | |
|---|---|
| Augusta State Wildlife Area | |
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
  Location within Wisconsin  Augusta Wildlife Area (the United States) | |
| Location | Eau Claire County, Wisconsin |
| Nearest city | Augusta, WI |
| Coordinates | 44°43′31″N 91°5′18″W / 44.72528°N 91.08833°W |
| Area | 2,503 acres (10.13 km2) |
| Established | 1942 |
| Governing body | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Flora and Fauna
editThere are several different types of trees in the Wildlife Area, including white pine, red pine, aspen, jack pine and red maple.[4]
| Cover Type | Acres | Percentage Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen | 362 | 32% |
| Jack Pine | 144 | 13% |
| Miscellaneous | 94 | 8% |
| Oak | 394 | 34% |
| Red Maple/Central Hardwoods | 103 | 9% |
| White Pine | 52 | 4% |
| Total Acreage | 1,149 | 100% |
Besides trees, there are many other notable flora to be found within the boundaries of the Wildlife Area, such as reed canary grass, cattails, blue flag iris, sphagnum moss and bur-reed.
The area was founded in part to provide for the production of geese and ducks, and as such there is a sizable population of both in the Wildlife Area. In addition to the various waterfowl that are found in the area,(such as the green-winged teal and American Wigeon) bears, deer, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, otters and sandhill cranes have also been observed in the area.[5][6][7][8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ WDNR Augusta WFA Website- Retrieved 2022-03-016
- ^ WDNR Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape Website- Retrieved 2022-03-16
- ^ WDNR Central Sand Plains Ecological Landscape Website- Retrieved 2022-03-16
- ^ WDNR White Pine Classification PDF- Retrieved 2022-03-16
- ^ EEK River Otter Webpage- Retrieved 2022-03-17
- ^ EEK Sandhill Crane Webpage- Retrieved 2022-03-17
- ^ WDNR Black bear Management Webpage- Retrieved 2022-03-17
- ^ 1979 Augusta Wildlife Area Master Plan Concept Element PDF- Retrieved 2022-03-17
External links
edit- U.S. Geological Survey Map at the U.S. Geological Survey Map Website. Retrieved March 16, 2022.