Western Prairie Ecological Landscape
Regional Master Plan
This planning effort covers the Western Prairie Ecological Landscape and includes extensive grasslands, remnant prairies, savannas, the lower St. Croix and the Kinnickinnic River corridors and various coldwater and coolwater streams. Large blocks of forest are scarce or absent, but forested corridors occur in the larger river valleys. The Western Prairie encompasses St. Croix County and portions of Pierce and Polk counties. Scenic rivers, unique plant communities, surrogate grasslands and prairies are well-represented in this planning process. The department properties in this landscape provide a variety of quality recreation opportunities to the public year-round.
Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area
Planning Update: Master Plan Variance
DNR has initiated a master plan variance for the Willow River State Park portion of the Western Prairie Regional Master Plan. This proposed master plan variance would remove the nature trail designation from the Hidden Ponds Trail. Under Chapter NR 45 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, pets are not allowed on nature trails. The Hidden Ponds Trail allows hiking, is ADA accessible and is groomed in the winter to make it easier to traverse. Removing the nature trail designation would provide park visitors requiring more accessibility a place to hike with a pet year-round. This variance is proposed in response to a request made to the department to provide more accessible winter trails open to pets at Willow River State Park.
Read the Proposed Variance to the Western Prairie Regional Master Plan. [PDF]
The public comment period closed October 5, 2022. DNR is now considering the comments received and may make appropriate updates to the variance before considering approval.
Please contact Phil Rynish, Property Planning Section Chief, with any additional questions or comments at:
Phil Rynish
Phillip.Rynish@Wisconsin.gov
608-977-0286
Regional Master Plan
The Western Prairie Regional Master Plan was approved by the Natural Resources Board in June 2020.
The interactive map below shows many of the larger, more popular DNR properties in the Western Prairie region. All properties included in this planning region are listed in Appendix A of the plan document. View all properties in the region and access additional map data with the Property Planning Viewer.
Access a full-screen version of the Interactive Map of Western Prairie Regional Master Plan Properties. If the map is not loading, please be sure your pop-up blocker is turned off.