Wisconsin's Wetland Gems®

Explore these high-quality wetlands, the plants and animals they support, and the natural benefits they provide to our communities.

Wetland Gems® are high-quality habitats that collectively represent the wetland riches—marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, and more—that historically made up nearly a quarter of Wisconsin’s landscape. These natural treasures provide critical natural benefits for our communities, including flood abatement, clean water, and wildlife habitat—and they boost our economy. But Wisconsin has lost more than half of our original wetlands. Not only do we need to protect those that remain, but we also need to restore the wetlands we’ve lost.

Map of Wisconsin's Wetland Gems®

Wisconsin Wetlands Association designated these 100 Wetland Gems® in 2009 to show the diversity and beauty of Wisconsin’s wetlands, to increase appreciation for the natural benefits they provide, and to help connect people with beautiful and vital wetlands all around the state. Wetland Gems® are distributed throughout the state and include examples of all of Wisconsin's wetland community types. The vast majority are open to the public. 

As you virtually explore Wisconsin’s Wetland Gems® in this collection of StoryMaps, bear a few things in mind:

  • Wisconsin Wetlands Association did not define boundaries for each Wetland Gem®, so you will find points (not polygons) on the maps.
  • All locations are approximate and intended to help you with your virtual exploration only; they are not appropriate for directions or wayfinding.
  • Some Wetland Gems® are very large (such as the 92-mile long Lower Wisconsin Riverway) and it’s hard to decide where to put the point! We’ve aimed for the geographic middle of these larger sites.
  • The information in the site descriptions was accurate as of 2009; email  programs@wisconsinwetlands.org  if you find information that needs updating.
  • Wisconsin Wetlands Association does not own, manage, or control access to any of the Wetland Gems®. We provide links to information about access for any site where public access is permitted. We will do our best to keep these links updated, and we appreciate you emailing  programs@wisconsinwetlands.org  if you find any links that do not work to help keep them accurate. 

Take a virtual tour of Wisconsin’s Wetland Gems® 

Want to learn more about Wetland Gems®? Take a virtual tour! Click on one of the regional links below to start your exploration. You’ll find information about each site, including the wetland community types and plant and animal species found there, along with links to more details including how to access the site (the majority of Wetland Gems® are open to the public, but some are not). You’ll also find a link to a one-page pdf fact sheet for each Wetland Gem® that you can even print to take on your explorations.

Start your virtual tour by clicking on a region to explore:

Continue scrolling down to learn more about Wisconsin's Wetland Gems®, wetland community types, the value of wetlands, and the ecological regions of Wisconsin.


How were Wetland Gems® selected?

The Wetland Gems® list builds upon the results of extensive conservation planning efforts that identified critical habitats, threats, and conservation actions to protect the state's natural communities, species, and special places. Our goal was to include high quality representatives of each wetland community type within each of eight regions of the state. These regions were determined using factors including geology, ecology, and climate.

What kinds of wetlands do we have in Wisconsin?

Due to its diverse geography, geology, and climate, Wisconsin has a wide variety of wetland habitat types. Three primary factors influence a wetland’s type: hydrology (the timing, frequency, and amount of water found on the site), soil type, and the plant life the site supports. People have developed a variety of classification systems for grouping and naming the different types of wetlands, so you may see different names of wetlands used by different groups. And remember that most wetland areas are actually a complex of several of these types.  Learn more .

What good are wetlands?

Wetlands benefit our wildilfe, water, and communities. Protecting and caring for wetlands means maintaining and improving benefits like flood control, clean drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, opportunities for recreation, and more! 

This white-board “explainer” video uses simple illustrations and language to outline how wetlands manage water and support watershed health:

How Wetlands Manage Water video


How Can You Help?

As a lover of wetlands, you want to contribute to their protection and care. Here are some ideas for ways you can help wetlands:

  • Become a member of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association and other wetland conservation organizations. WWA works statewide to help people and communities care for wetlands. Our work is member-supported, so  become a member or give a special gift today .
  • Volunteer with a local group caring for wetlands or at a State Natural Area near you. Many communities have "friends of" groups that host workdays and other volunteer opportunities. You can also volunteer for the Wisconsin  State Natural Areas Program .
  • Become a citizen scientist. Spend time in a beautiful wetland setting while listening for birds and frogs, surveying for native plants and insects, or checking for invasive plants. Find many opportunities on the  Citizen Based Monitoring Network's website .
  • Get your feet wet—responsibly! Get out and enjoy Wisconsin's Wetland Gems® and other great wetlands. Please follow the "take only pictures, leave only footprints" philosophy for your visit. Other guidelines: stay on trails; be aware of private property; clean your boots before your visit so you don't bring invasive plant seeds in with you; resist the temptation to take home souvenirs and don't pick flowers or harvest plants; observe wildlife from a distance; pack out what you pack in, and pick up any other trash you might find.

Wetland Gems® Regions

A map of the state of Wisconsin divided into eight regions, each a different color The regions are based on geology, climate, soils, and other factors that influence ecology.

Due to its unique geography, geology, and climate, Wisconsin is blessed with tremendous diversity and an abundance of wetland habitats. Because geology and climate vary across our state, the presence and abundance of different wetland types also vary across the state. To ensure the list of Wetland Gems® highlighted this unique diversity of wetland types in each part of the state, we designated Gems® within each of eight different regions of Wisconsin determined in consultation with ecologists at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Climate, bedrock, glacial geology, landforms, soils, and hydrology are the primary factors that make each region unique.

Map of southeast coastal Wisconsin showing locations of Wetland Gems®

Map of Southeast Coastal Region Wetland Gems®

Southeast Coastal Region

The southeast coastal region includes areas within the Lake Michigan watershed along the southeast coast of the state. The climate is moderated by Lake Michigan and the underlying bedrock is primarily calcareous dolomite, a sedimentary rock similar to limestone. Most of the northern and eastern parts of this region were historically vegetated with sugar maple-basswood-beech or oak forest, while the southern and western areas were made up of oak forest, savanna, and prairie. Fens, tallgrass prairie remnants, and dunes are among the rarer natural communities found here. Natural systems are severely fragmented, disturbed, and greatly diminished by widespread and intensive agricultural, industrial, and residential development. Despite this, the region still supports rare and declining species and communities that occur at few other locations.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Map of Southeast Region Wetland Gems®

Southeast Region

This region has been highly influenced by glaciation and features broad plains and ridges, mounds, and hummocks called moraines. The Kettle Moraine, a rugged, relatively undeveloped landform found within this region, is a popular recreation area named after and showcasing this prominent glacial feature. The glaciers also left behind extensive areas with deep, rich soils. A mix of prairie, savanna, and oak forest was the prevalent vegetation prior to the Euro-American settlement. Wet prairies, sedge meadows, marshes, fens, and tamarack swamps occurred in lower, wetter areas. The fertile soils meant much of this region’s natural vegetation was converted to agricultural use by Euro-American settlers. This conversion, combined with growing urban land use, drastically changed the land cover of the region. Despite this, wetlands are abundant and include large marshes, sedge meadows, fens, and extensive forested lowlands within large river floodplains.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Map of Central Region Wetland Gems®

Central Region

While some parts of this region are unglaciated, much of this region is characterized by the well-drained sandy soils left behind by glaciation and a landscape featuring moraines, outwash plains, and the bed of a huge, extinct glacial lake: Glacial Lake Wisconsin. Wetlands and unusual lakes are found in these outwash plains, and the spring-fed headwaters of numerous streams originate in the glacial moraines. Historically, upland vegetation consisted of pine and oak forest, pine barrens, oak savanna, and tallgrass prairie. Fens were common in the east and occurred along with wet-mesic prairie, wet prairie, sedge meadow, and marsh. Unlike most other common wetland types in the southern half of Wisconsin, many wetlands in this region—especially in the west—are peatlands dominated by mosses, sedges, swamp conifers, and shrubs in the heath family. (Peatlands are areas where year-round waterlogged conditions slow the process of plant decomposition so much that dead plants accumulate to form peat.) This region was home to some of Wisconsin’s most extensive wetlands, though many of these have been altered by past attempts at drainage.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Map of West Region Wetland Gems®

West Region

This region is often referred to as the Driftless Area because most of the area was unglaciated (not covered in the glacial deposits referred to collectively as “drift”). Limestone (dolomite) and sandstone bedrock underlie this landscape in which the topography is characterized by ridges, deep valleys, and steep, wooded slopes. Historically, the region’s vegetation included hardwood forest, oak savanna, and prairie with extensive floodplain forests, sedge meadows, and marshes concentrated along the major rivers. With Euro-American settlement, the more level land on ridge tops and in valley bottoms was converted to agricultural uses. The steep slopes between valley bottom and ridge top, unsuitable for raising crops, either remained in forest or grew up from savanna or prairie into oak- or maple-dominated forests after Euro-American settlement suppressed wildfires that had formerly been common. In many areas, soil from the uplands eroded as a result of past agricultural use and was redeposited in the valley bottoms. Many valley bottoms that historically contained wetlands are now buried in sediments, sometimes to a depth of several meters.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Map of northeast Wisconsin showing locations of Wetland Gems®

Map of Northeast Region Wetland Gems®

Northeast Region

Lake Michigan plays a critical role in the ecology of this region because of its moderating effect on climate. Warmer temperatures in the fall and early winter and cooler temperatures during spring and early summer influence vegetation and other aspects of ecology. A defining characteristic of this region is the Niagara Escarpment, a ‘karst’ landscape feature with highly fractured and dissolvable dolomite bedrock. This type of geology causes sinkholes and caves to appear. The combination of shallow soils above fractured bedrock means that water moves very quickly through the surface materials and groundwater is prone to contamination. Historically, the dominant plant cover here was mixed conifer-hardwood forest or hardwood forest, interspersed with wetlands and other natural communities. Today, the southern and eastern portions of this region are mostly unforested and agricultural, while the portion west and north of Green Bay is still largely forested. Both forested and non-forested wetlands are abundant, and these include some globally rare wetland types.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Map of Superior Region of Wisconsin showing locations of Wetland Gems®

Map of Superior Region Wetland Gems®

Superior Region

The moderating influence of Lake Superior results in cooler summers, warmer winters, and more rain and snow here than at more inland locations. The former lacustrine deposits that created the nearly-level clay plain that slopes gently northward toward Lake Superior is the most extensive landform in the region. It is drained by numerous streams, deeply incised in the clays. This region was once almost entirely forested, but “The Cutover”, the period of widespread, intensive lumbering in the mid-and late 1800s, removed most of the historic old-growth boreal and hemlock-hardwood forests. Today, older forests are rare throughout the region. About a third of this region is now non-forested and supports hay, pasture, or limited cropland. Young forests of aspen/birch are now the predominant vegetative cover over much of the region. Large peatlands occur along the Lake Superior coast in association with drowned river mouths (these are freshwater estuaries, rare and ecologically rich wetland complexes) and are protected from wind, wave, and ice action by sand spits. Several large peatlands also occur at inland sites.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Map of the North Central Region of Wisconsin showing locations of Wetland Gems®

Map of North Central Region Wetland Gems®

North Central Region

The northcentral part of this region was historically Wisconsin’s greatest pinery and contains a globally significant concentration of lakes and numerous boggy peatlands. The ecological impacts of destructive logging and other land uses in the latter half of the 19th century were immense. Forests were logged and waterways cleared to float logs to the mills. Log drives scoured river bottoms and banks and changed the character and habitat of water bodies. Many forests in this region regenerated, but their composition and structure are very different from what they had been. In the southern part of this region, many areas have been converted to agricultural use. Despite these historical events and the resulting changes, this region still offers excellent opportunities for managing and conserving wetlands, which remain abundant and are often embedded within a forested and undeveloped context.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Map of the Northwest Region of Wisconsin showing locations of Wetland Gems®

Map of Northwest Region Wetland Gems®

Northwest Region

Glacial activity shaped this region, creating outwash plains, kettle lakes, moraines, and drumlins. Glacial deposits in what was once Glacial Lake Grantsburg impeded drainage and resulted in the formation of the large wetlands. The northern portion of this region includes a major drainage divide: the headwaters of many streams flow north toward Lake Superior or south toward the St. Croix River and ultimately to the Mississippi River system. Historically, this region was a mixture of extensive forests (north and west) and vast open pine barrens (south and east). Today it is mostly forested, with large sedge meadows and boggy peatlands, and some agriculture. Many wetland complexes here are particularly important because of their size, lack of past disturbance, and the numerous sensitive plants and animals they support, and intact hydrology.  Learn more about the Wetland Gems® of this region .

Workhorse Wetland Gems®

Map of Wisconsin showing locations of the seven Workhorse Wetland Gems®

Map of Workhorse Wetland Gems®

The seven Workhorse Wetland Gems® each illustrate one of the natural benefits provided by wetlands:

  • Wetlands store runoff and reduce flood damages
  • Wetlands support clean water
  • Wetlands prevent shoreline erosion
  • Wetlands are places of groundwater connections
  • Wetlands support wildlife
  • Wetlands support fisheries
  • Wetlands are destinations for recreation and education

All wetlands provide some or all of these natural benefits to one degree or another. The sites designated Workhorse Wetland Gems represented good examples of wetlands for each of these seven benefits.  Learn more about the Workhorse Wetland Gems® .

Special thanks to Tapashwi Karki for her work that made these Wetland Gem® StoryMaps possible.

Map of Wisconsin's Wetland Gems®

Map of Southeast Coastal Region Wetland Gems®

Map of Southeast Region Wetland Gems®

Map of Central Region Wetland Gems®

Map of West Region Wetland Gems®

Map of Northeast Region Wetland Gems®

Map of Superior Region Wetland Gems®

Map of North Central Region Wetland Gems®

Map of Northwest Region Wetland Gems®

Map of Workhorse Wetland Gems®