By Virginia Scholtz
Friends of Hartmeyer Natural Area
There’s a bit of wild land in our Northside neighborhood that is claimed by a family of sandhill cranes, a flock of red-winged blackbirds and an exuberant chorus of spring peepers. Locals refer to it as Hartmeyer Marsh, although the site has uplands and an oak opening as well as open water.
On a sunny Saturday in April, 17 local volunteers walked the area to clean up litter. About 25 bags of refuse were removed. Area residents, including Certified Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner, are working together in hopes of preserving this 29-acre wetland remnant. More pictures and information are on the “Friends of Hartmeyer Natural Area” Facebook page.
The friends extend a special thank you to Maintenance Services of Madison, Inc., who donated heavy-duty trash bags and helped with their disposal.
The Oscar Mayer Area Strategic Assessment Report indicates this area is a wetland. Objective 8 of the report calls for a plan that will “enhance the wetland to boost it as a key area asset.” To give input or ask questions about the future of this jewel nestled between our city’s paved streets, contact Bill Fruhling at 608-267-8736, bfruhling@cityofmadison.com, or Tom Otto at 608-243-0178, totto@cityofmadison.com.