At one time, most of Fond du Lac County was covered by prairie -- native grasslands that were home to bison, prairie chickens, bobolinks and other wildlife. At the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum on the UW-Fond du Lac campus, a group of volunteers has reestablished the native plants that once grew on this site.

The project began in 1991, with the goal of representing the original plant communities of Wisconsin in a small arboretum. At present, volunteers have planted 37 acres of native prairie grasses and wildflowers, developed two wildlife ponds and planted 176 native trees and shrubs. Most of the wildflower seeds were collected from some of the last remaining original prairie sites in Fond du Lac County. To educate local residents, there’s an interpretive trail, as well as six benches, two picnic tables and a kiosk for recreation.

The Formal Arboretum is an innovative attempt to depict the native plants and plant communities of Wisconsin in a design representing the “Tension Zone” of our state. This is the area of overlap of northern and southern Wisconsin plant communities, which occurs in the Fond du Lac area. It consists of savannah, lowland forests and northern mixed forests, plus their associated wildflowers.

The Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum is named for Bradley Gottfried, former dean of UW-Fond du Lac, and a major force behind the project’s initiation and development. Dean Gottfried's vision and persistence have resulted in the restoration of a portion of native prairie for county residents to enjoy. 

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Support the Arboretum by dedicating a bench to someone special. For $145, we’ll install a handsome new “Leopold” bench at the Arboretum and affix a small plaque with a dedication message of your choice. Benches for Sale (PDF file)

For more information send inquiries to Erika Jensen at erikajen@sbcglobal.net.

News:

Rain Barrel Program an Opportunity for Local Artists

Art that’s both beautiful and useful is the focus of a fundraiser for the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum this spring. Local artists are invited to apply to the program, and decorate a plastic barrel which will eventually be used for capturing and storing rainwater. Deadline for submitting an application is April 9, 2010.

The goal of the program is to produce a number of functional and attractive rain barrels which will be for sale during Prairie Fest, scheduled this year for Saturday, July 31 from 10-3. Proceeds from the sale will be directed towards the Arboretum’s educational programs and stewardship initiatives.

“This is a great way for local artists to draw attention to their work while donating to a worthy cause,” said Erika Jensen, Executive Director of the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum. “We are hoping to connect with local businesses to exhibit the barrels for about a month before the event, so that the public can see the entries before they go on sale.” The sneak preview will be used to generate interest in the fundraiser, as well as the artists’ work. Organizers hope to see at least a dozen entries from artists.

“The most common way to create barrel art is to use acrylic paints with a polyurethane coating applied to the outside. But there are a number of ways to create an appealing work using wood, stucco, or other materials. We’re inviting people to get really creative,” said Jensen.

Rain barrels are a practical tool for conserving water and reducing runoff at the same time. The barrel connects to a home owner’s downspout, and channels water into the barrel. The saved water can be used for a variety of purposes, such as gardening. The barrels will feature a diverter valve designed by Sustain Dane, a Madison-based non profit organization.

“The diverter valve isn’t totally necessary, but it’s a really nice addition to a rain barrel,” explained Jensen. “It makes it possible to have a closed barrel system, so you don’t have problems with mosquitoes. When the rain barrel is full, the diverter kicks in and the extra water just goes down your drain spout and is routed away from the foundation of your house. I think anybody who had their basement flood in 2008 will understand why this is important.”

The rain barrel fundraiser is sponsored by the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum, a 40-acre natural area located on the grounds of UW Fond du Lac, just off Highway 23 on the eastern edge of Fond du Lac. The area includes 40 acres of native wildflowers and grasses, as well as a formal arboretum with trees and shrubs representing several different Wisconsin ecosystems.

Click here for an application form and guidelines on barrel art. For more info, call Erika Jensen at (920) 324-5329.

Call for Artists!

Are you an artist whose work is inspired by nature? Do you use natural elements (clay, stone, bark, botanicals, etc.) to make your art? Does your art reflect nature (i.e. landscapes, seascapes, etc.)?

The Prairie Fest committee is seeking applicants of visual artists 18 years or older to show and sell their work at the 8th Annual Prairie Fest on July 31. Click here to read more and to view the Call for Artists Application

Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum Plants New Garden

Plans are underway for a new display garden at the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum. The garden will feature wildflowers and grasses native to Fond du Lac County. It will beautify the picnic shelter near the east parking lot at UW-Fond du Lac. Featuring 250 native plants, the garden will include some old favorites of the prairie landscape as well as some unusual plants such as creamy indigo, bottle gentian, and shooting star. The north side will include a variety of woodland species.

The Fox Valley Area Chapter of Wild Ones, an organization which promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices, has invested a matching grant in this project. “We are delighted to have received this grant,” said Erika Jensen, the Arboretum’s Executive Director. “The grant program requires matching funds from local donors. That is why we can offer naming rights in exchange for a gift of $1000,” she continued. “It is the perfect way to honor a friend or loved one. A memorial garden will keep your loved one’s memory alive, growing, year after year.”

Donors can also chose a special message to be imprinted on a decorative plaque when a donation of $100 or more is made to the Arboretum. For more information about The Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum or to support its efforts to preserve natural Wisconsin habitat, call (920) 324-5329.