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Events Preserving and Restoring Watersheds and Wetlands
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Friends of Cherokee MarshCherokee Marsh is an extensive peat deposit along the Yahara River and Token Creek, north of Lake Mendota in Dane County, Wisconsin. Covering over five square miles, Cherokee marsh is the largest wetland in Dane County and the major wetland in Lake Mendota’s watershed. Cherokee Marsh contains a large expanse of open wet sedge meadow, varying to fen, prairie, bog, and shallow marsh in places. The less accessible central areas probably retain the condition and appearance of many of the Yahara basin marshes a century ago. Islands of upland support oak forest or open fields, while small depressions have high quality ponds or springs. (Source: The Wetlands of Dane County, Wisconsin, 1974, Barbara L. Bedford, Elizabeth H. Zimmerman, and James H. Zimmerman.) About the FriendsThe Friends of Cherokee Marsh formed in 2006 to protect, preserve, and restore the beauty, value, and health of the Cherokee Marsh and Upper Yahara river watershed. Join us on Facebook. Join the cherokeemarsh email group. Contact us: directors and advisors The Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Inc. is a Wisconsin non-profit corporation and a tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Events CalendarSeptember 7 (Wednesday). 9:30 am - noon Meet on Caton Lane. Heading north on HWY 113, just past HWY M, turn right onto River Rd., then right on Riverview Dr., and right on Caton Lane. Drive into the park. Get directions. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirt, bring drinking water, gloves, & pruning shears if available; be prepared for mosquitoes. Contact Rhea at 224 3601. September 12 (Sunday), 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Enjoy the Knotty Pines folk trio, see live snakes and other critters, and chat with members of the Friends of Cherokee Marsh. In the Northside Town Center at the corner of N. Sherman Ave. and Northport Drive. Northside Farmers Market info. October 23 (Saturday),
7 pm - 9 pm Meet in the parking lot of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North Unit, 6098 North Sherman Ave. Public LandsCherokee Marsh and nearby Public Lands. Map with major trailheads marked. Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park (City of Madison).
Cherokee Marsh Fishery Area (WDNR). Map. Cherokee Marsh Public Access site (WDNR). Yahara Heights/Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Site (Dane County). Map. State Natural Areas
Cherokee Park is a Madison city park adjacent to the marsh (map). For Paddlers
Watershed Maps
Field Studies for StudentsThe Cherokee Marsh Naturalist Program provides skilled naturalists to lead field studies for students of all ages. For students from the Madison School District and elsewhere. More information. RegulationsSlow, No-wake ZoneThe Yahara River is slow, no-wake from Hwy 113 upstream to the mouth of Token Creek. Red-and-white, striped buoys mark the river boundary with Cherokee Lake adjacent to the Cherokee Park neighborhood. The slow, no-wake restriction was enacted by local ordinances and approved by the Department of Natural Resources in 1995. During times of high water, Dane County also declares Cherokee Lake as no wake to protect the shoreline from erosion. Informational signs are at the School Rd. boat landing and the Hwy 113 bridge. Slow, no-wake means the speed at which a boat moves as slowly as possible while still maintaining steerage control. Dane County's slow, no-wake page includes any current emergency slow, no-wake orders. DogsYahara Heights County Park has a dog exercise area and allows leashed dogs in the rest of the park. Cherokee Marsh Fishery Area allows dogs, but some areas require leashing during nesting season. (Check the signs where you enter.) Dogs are not allowed in Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park. BikesBicycling is not allowed in Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park or Yahara Heights County Park. HuntingDeer, waterfowl, and other game hunting are allowed in the Cherokee Marsh Fishery Area and the DNR Cherokee Marsh Public Access site. Waterfowl hunting is allowed in the upper Yahara River. A portion of Yahara Heights County Park is open to archery hunting for deer and turkey. Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Regulations Cherokee Marsh is a Wetland GemThe Wisconsin Wetlands Association has declared Cherokee Marsh a wetland gem. Cherokee Marsh Photo Book
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