The history of the land tells a story about our past, present, future
This feature on Northside natural areas includes recent histories, contributions from organizations active in preserving these lands, as well as opportunities to learn about the plants and animals who also call this neighborhood home.
Layered within these stories are rich interactions between people and the land. These relationships have a history that extends far beyond what is included here. We acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of the Ho-Chunk, and was home to many generations of people before it was colonized.
We look forward to opportunities to share more of this history, and the ways that these relationships and traditions continue to affect the future of our natural areas.
Northern Leopard Frog
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jean Krieg
Rainbow
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jan Axelson
Foggy Cherokee Marsh
Taken at Cherokee Marsh
Photo by Trish McWilliams
Yellow Cone Flower.
Taken at Warner Park.
Photo by Ravi Hirekatur
View of Yahara River
Taken at Yahara Heights County Park.
Photo by Trish McWilliams
Winter in Cherokee Marsh
Taken in Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Sally Bowers
Purple Prairie Clover
Taken at Warner Park.
Photo by Ravi Hirekatur
Windy Day on Lake Mendota
Taken near Warner Beach.
Photo by Debra Schmidt
Sunset at Warner Beach
Taken at Warner Park Beach.
Photo by Beth Sluys
September Sunset
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Susan Hoffman
River View
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jan Axelson
Pasture Thistle
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jean Krieg
Lake View Nurse’s Dorm
Taken at Lake View Hill Park.
Photo by Laura Hughes
Lake View Hill
Taken at Lake View Hill Park.
Photo by Laura Hughes
Green-headed Cone Flower
Taken at Warner Park.
Photo by Ravi Hirekatur
Great Blue Heron
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jan Axelson
Grasses Along Lake Mendota
Taken on Woodland Drive.
Photo by Jean Krieg
Golden Leaf
Taken at Lakeview Woods.
Photo by Philip Biller
Golden Lantern
Taken at Cherokee Marsh South.
Photo by Philip Biller
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Joe-Pye Weed
Taken on Woodland Drive.
Photo by Jean Krieg
Common Yellowthroat
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jan Axelson
Bottle Gentian
Taken at Cherokee Marsh North Unit.
Photo by Trish McWilliams
Blackeyed Susans
Taken at Warner Park.
Photo by Ravi Hirekatur
Bee on Catnip
Taken at Warner Park.
Photo by Ravi Hirekatur
Woodland Sunflowers at Cherokee Marsh, by Jean Krieg
Warner Park Breakwater, by Bill Samdahl
Warner Park Beach, by Bill Samdahl
Tree swallow at Warner Park, by Ravi Hirekatur
Swallows on a Bluebird House
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Coyla Rankin
Sandhill Crane In Field
Taken at Northland Manor Park.
Photo by Philip Biller
Sandhill Crane colts, by Sheila Leary
Taken on Comanche Way.
Photo by Philip Biller
Taken at Warner Park.
Photo by Ravi Hirekatur
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jan Axelson
Land of Giants, taken at Cherokee Marsh by Susan Hoffman
Taken at Lake Mendota.
Photo by Erin Peot
Fox Kits, by Jim Madden
Fountain at Lake View, by Laura Hughes
Fishing on Lake Mendota as seen from Woodland Drive, by Jean Krieg
A bumblebee visits purple prairie clover at Warner Park, by Ravi Hirekatur
Taken on Monica Lane.
Photo by Julie Marshall
Taken at Cherokee Marsh.
Photo by Jan Axelson
Foggy Cherokee Marsh
Taken at Cherokee Marsh
Photo by Trish McWilliams
An autumn hike at Cherokee Marsh, photographed by Sheila Leary
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