Diamond Jubilee: Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area, Wisconsin
- Matthew P G
- 2 hours ago
- 1 min read
Across from Redbank, Minnesota lies Wisconsin. A campground and boat launch was visible right across the river and I thought I'd walk over to have a look. In doing so, I came across a beautiful wetlands reserve!
Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area is a 958-acre property on the Mississippi River in Pierce County. The acquisition of the property started with Pierce County donating land to the state in 1968. Additional acreage was purchased around the original land, including a 20-acre donation from the William Murray family, to bring the total acreage to what it is today. This unique property includes numerous islands and wetland habitats of the Mississippi River and includes a no-entry waterfowl refuge.
I was amazed how lovely the reserve is and how completely different the landscape is just over the bridge from Red Wing. I would have needed a small boat to appreciate it more, but it was clear that it is teeming with wildlife (especially birds). Likely such reserves also help mitigate flooding along the Mississippi as they can collect water (which is what they naturally do) and prevent it from moving too quickly downstream.
July 2021
As usual on that trip, I was discovering places I never knew existed and developing a greater understanding and respect for local governments that set aside land for public use and nature conservation.
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