Creating A Habitat for Endangered Species

Wisconsin is home to over 230 endangered and threatened species of animals, insects and plants.  According to the Wisconsin DNR, 80% of the endangered species in our state utilize shoreland habitat for all or part of their lives.  The destruction of their natural home habitats is what has led to these species to become endangered and potentially extinct from our state.

By restoring shoreland habitat to its natural state, we slowly create an environment that may someday serve as habitat for these endangered species, helping to protect and rebuilt their populations.

A few key elements to a success restoration include use of native plants, elimination of any pesticide or herbicide usage, and sufficient area to successfully create a habitat with sufficient food, space and reproductive protection.

Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), a native to Winnebago County, was last observed here over 10 years ago. 

William C. Taylor. USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln. Provided by USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute (WSI)