VISIT HORICON MARSH
HORICON MARSH IS THE LARGEST FRESHWATER CATTAIL MARSH IN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES WITH OVER 33,000 ACRES OF WETLAND. Get outdoors and experience the wildlife and many seasons of natural beauty at Horicon Marsh. The marsh provides habitat for endangered species and is a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating ducks and Canada geese. Because of its importance to wildlife, Horicon
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“Globally Important Bird Area”
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Marsh has been formally recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations, is a “Globally Important Bird Area” and is a unit of the Ice Age Scientific Reserve. It has also been designated as one the “Seven Natural Wonders of Wisconsin” and is often referred to as the “Little Everglades of the North.” Located in southeast Wisconsin, this vast wetland is only a one hour drive from Milwaukee and Madison. While the marsh in renowned for its migrant flocks of Canada geese, it is also home to more than 300 resident and migratory
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bird species which have been sighted over the years. Due to its international significance, scientists from around the world have traveled here for professional training to improve conservation programs in their own countries.
returned to the refuge in 2012 and also utilized other local wetlands. Within the marsh there are hiking and bicycling trails, driving trails, two boardwalks, fishing piers, boat launches and canoe/kayak trails. Geocaching is enjoyed on the southern end of the marsh. Of course birding, photography, hiking, hunting, site seeing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and fishing are popular activities on the marsh as well.
The Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area comprises 11,000 acres of the marsh while the northern 22,000 acres is part of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The National Wildlife Refuge was established as a breeding habitat for Horicon Marsh has a unique and importhe Redhead Duck. Besides the over 300 tant story to tell. The geologic features bird species, other of the area, created wildlife that live by our last ice age, “Seven Natural Wonders on the marsh are were instrumenof Wisconsin” muskrats, red foxes, tal in providing coyotes, turtles, resources for wildlife and humans alike. frogs, bats, fish, deer, beaver, raccoons, The human history of Horicon Marsh river otters, mink and much more. New is rich with culture and story; however to the marsh is the release of whoopit is one of tragedy and restoration. The ing cranes. These were reintroduced wildlife present today at Horicon Marsh in 2011. The chicks were trained by are the result of geologic and human a crane-costumed biologist and left activities, including modern-day wildlife to freely migrate on their own. They management. To view a movie about the
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history of the marsh or to see the new “Explorium”, visitors can visit Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center on Highway 28 between Mayville and Horicon. Public “Little naturalist talks and hikes are Everglades given at both of the Horicon Marsh North.” Education & Visitor Center and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center throughout the year and are free and open to the public. These talks focus on a variety of topics related to the geology, history, wildlife and management of Horicon Marsh.
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Visitors should stop at Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center or Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Office and Visitor Center for maps and information about the marsh. There are various restrictions on certain areas of the marsh so visitors should stop for information at one of the visitor centers.
E RENTAL G A T T O S rockriverretreatwi.com HORICON MARSH, WI. “Be Our Guest” 435-659-0603 www.DodgeCounty.com
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