Limery Ridge Savanna State Natural Area

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Limery Ridge Savanna features one of the few remaining undeveloped bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and consists of the steep slopes and rocky outcrops characteristic of Wisconsin's Driftless Area. Other natural community types include southern mesic forest, open oak woodland, oak savanna, dry-mesic prairie, and moist cliff community. Located in the sheltered ravines and valley bottoms is a mesic forest dominated by large red oaks with basswood, elm, and walnut. Understory species are typical of this community type and include the Adam and Eve orchid. The open oak woodland consists of an overstory dominated by white oak with hickory, black oak, red oak, and walnut present in lower numbers. Bur oak dominates the savanna. The area harbors numerous light-loving savanna and open oak woodland species including yellow false foxglove, Robin's plantain, Short's aster, and bottlebrush grass. The site also supports the state-endangered hairy-meadow parsnip (Thaspium barbinode), found at only one other place in Wisconsin. Scattered throughout the site is high quality dry-mesic prairie dominated by typical southwest Wisconsin goat prairie species including prairie drop-seed, compass-plant, and white and purple prairie-clover. Also present is a 2,000-foot long sandstone cliff that harbors numerous ferns such as cliff brake and walking fern. Located along a main migratory bird route, the large forested nature of the site makes this important habitat for interior nesting songbirds. The site also contains one linear Native American mound and several other conical mounds. Limery Ridge Savanna is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.