University of Wisconsin Arboretum

1,200-acre restored landscape of prairies, forests, and wetlands — a pioneer of ecological restoration

The University of Wisconsin Arboretum spreads across 1,200 acres of restored landscape on the south side of Madison, and it is unlike any other city green space in America. Rather than manicured lawns and ornamental plantings, the Arboretum contains restored tallgrass prairies, oak savannas, wetlands, and forest communities — all deliberately reconstructed from degraded farmland beginning in the 1930s.

The Curtis Prairie is the world's oldest restored tallgrass prairie, established in 1934 as part of a pioneering experiment in ecological restoration. More than 17 miles of trails wind through different habitat types, and the variety of birds and wildflowers changes markedly by season. Spring brings prairie wildflowers and migrating warblers; autumn turns the prairie grasses gold and rust.

The Visitor Center at the corner of McCaffrey Drive and Longenecker Drive has trail maps and interpretive exhibits. Admission is free. The Arboretum connects to the Henry Vilas Zoo and Vilas Park, making for a good half-day walk on the south side of the city.

things to do sight wildlife
A story
The UW Arboretum pioneered ecological restoration as a science. When it was established in the 1930s, the concept of deliberately restoring degraded landscapes to their original state barely existed. The Curtis Prairie, established in 1934, is the world's oldest restored tallgrass prairie, and many of the techniques developed here have been used in restoration projects worldwide.