State Natural Areas_Content Page_JeanBrunetWoods_616

Jean Brunet Woods

No. 616

616_brunetaerial.jpeg

Photo by Wisconsin DNR

 

Located along the Chippewa and Fisher Rivers, Jean Brunet Woods features a northern mesic forest approaching old-growth status interspersed with ephemeral ponds. The forest is mostly hemlock hardwoods with white oak, red oak, basswood, and paper birch. Large, red oak (some over 30 inches in diameter) dominates the majority of the forest with scattered pockets of hemlock, sugar maple, and ephemeral wetlands. Ironwood, musclewood, sugar maple, and red maple dominate the mid-story canopy with leatherwood also present. The ground layer is patchy but is rich and diverse as one travels north and east.

Species include maidenhair fern, red baneberry, wild sarsaparilla, yellow blue bead lily, Canada bunchberry, both Hepatica species, shining club-moss, partridgeberry, naked miterwort, wood sorrel, round-leaved pyrola, bloodroot, nodding trillium, and American starflower. Forested ephemeral ponds support fowl manna grass, marsh marigold, cinnamon fern, and jewelweed. Notable birds include the black-throated green warbler, hermit thrush, northern waterthrush, blackburnian warbler, mourning warbler, and scarlet tanager. Jean Brunet Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2010.

Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for a variety of recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. If a developed trail is present, it will usually be noted on the SNA map and/or under the Maps tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.

The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and a detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.

Entrance fees: Except for Parfrey's Glen, the Cambrian Outlook in the Dells of the Wisconsin River, SNAs within State Parks and some within State Forests, all other DNR-owned SNAs do not have any admission fees. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45 [exit DNR]. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.

Allowable activities: DNR-owned land

The activities listed below are generally allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted above and posted with signs on the property site.

Prohibited activities: all SNAs

Although some sites allow activities like primitive camping (e.g. Lower Chippewa River on sand bars) or horseback riding (e.g. S. Kettle Moraine), the activities listed below are generally prohibited on DNR-owned SNAs.

  • Camping and campfires
  • Collecting of animals (other than legally harvested species), non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead.
  • Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR
  • Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses
  • Drones: Flying-related activities, including the use of drones, hang-gliders and model airplanes, are prohibited. Permission may be issued by the SNA Program for the use of drones for educational or research purposes
  • Geocaching
  • Horseback riding
  • Rock climbing
  • Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use.

For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR].

Location

Within Brunet Island State Park, Chippewa County. T31N-R6W, Sections 7, 8. 387 acres.

Driving directions

From the corner where State Highway 27 makes a right-angle turn in Cornell, go west on Bridge Street (State Highway 64) for 0.1 miles to Park Road. Turn right on Park Road to the park entrance. Get a park map. The Nordic Trail and Jean Brunet Trail provide access to the site.

The DNR's state natural areas program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions and private individuals. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities.

Users are encouraged to contact the landowner for more specific details. The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries. To create your custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's Mapping Application.

Property Map [PDF]

Jean Brunet Woods is owned by: Wisconsin DNR