By Anita Weier
Friends of Hartmeyer

The Friends of Hartmeyer Natural Area continue to support protecting the 29-acre property bounded by North Sherman Avenue, Roth Street, the former Oscar Mayer plant and Commercial Avenue. This area (behind the Esquire Club) was historically a large wetland marsh with some shallow ponds and oak opening uplands.

Communications have occurred with an attorney for the Hartmeyer Estate property owners and with the Madison Parks Department.

Interested residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting Monday, Aug. 12, 6 pm, at the Lakeview Library. Groundswell Conservancy Director Jim Welsh will share information about what his organization has done to protect important environmental areas. For more information, contact fhna.ginny@gmail.com or go to the Friends of Hartmeyer Facebook page.

Almost all of the historic shallow wetland ponds, marshes and natural oak opening uplands in the near Northside are gone — along with the populations of butterflies and other pollinators, frogs, birds and wildlife they used to support. But the upland area of the parcel near the railroad tracks behind the Oscar Mayer plant reaching over to Commercial Avenue contains large healthy stands of milkweed beneficial to pollinators, especially monarch butterflies. Frogs and sandhill cranes commonly use the site.

“Having a large natural area in a neighborhood is an important asset for neighborhood values and building a sense of community,” said Paul Noeldner, a Wisconsin Master Naturalist instructor and member of the Friends of Hartmeyer. “People enjoy seeing and talking about the cranes and other birds and wildlife as they drive, bus, bike or walk by this area. Even a few minutes of nature recreation reduces stress, improves health and gives a sense of well-being.”

Current Wisconsin law recognizes the importance of preserving and restoring natural wetlands for the health of our water and the benefits they bring for reducing runoff and flooding.

“This historic wetland is a gem,” said Noeldner. “It should be preserved and restored to full health by removing invasive plants and encouraging growth of native Wisconsin wetland plants that benefit pollinators and many other wildlife species.”

This area provides acres of carbon sequestration, natural water infiltration and water retention that helps reduce runoff and flooding in Madison lakes. A variety of native Wisconsin birds, aquatics, pollinators and wildlife make their homes in the Hartmeyer Natural Area or pass through during migration. 

The Hartmeyer Natural Area is private property. Public access is not permitted as of this writing.