Redwing blackbirds enjoy
the habitat around the Arboretum's ponds.
Click here for a larger image of the Gottfried Arboretum at UW-Fond du Lac.
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Welcome to the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum
At one time, most of Fond du Lac County was covered by prairie -- native grasslands that were home to bison, prairie chickens, bobolinks and other wildlife. At the Gottfried
Prairie and Arboretum on the UW-Fond du Lac campus, a group of volunteers has reestablished the native plants that once grew on this site.
The project began in 1991, with the goal of representing the original plant communities of Wisconsin in a small arboretum. At present, volunteers have planted 37 acres of native prairie grasses and wildflowers, developed two wildlife ponds and planted 176 native trees and shrubs. Most of the wildflower seeds were collected from some of the last remaining original prairie sites in Fond du Lac County. To educate local residents, there’s an interpretive trail, as well as six benches, two picnic tables and a kiosk for recreation.
The Formal Arboretum is an innovative attempt to depict the native plants and plant communities of Wisconsin in a design representing the “Tension Zone” of our state. This is the area of overlap of northern and southern Wisconsin plant communities, which occurs in the Fond du Lac area. It consists of savannah, lowland forests and northern mixed forests, plus their associated wildflowers.
The Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum is named for Bradley Gottfried, former dean of UW-Fond du Lac, and a major force behind the project’s initiation and development. Dean Gottfried's vision and persistence have resulted in the restoration of a portion of native prairie for county residents to enjoy. »
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Support the Arboretum by dedicating a bench to
someone special. For $145, we’ll install a handsome
new “Leopold” bench at the Arboretum and affix a
small plaque with a dedication message of your
choice. Benches
for Sale (PDF file)
For more information send inquiries to Erika
Jensen at erikajen@sbcglobal.net. News:
Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum Plants New
Garden
Plans are underway for a new display garden
at the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum. The
garden will feature wildflowers and grasses
native to Fond du Lac County. It will beautify
the picnic shelter near the east parking lot at
UW-Fond du Lac. Featuring 250 native plants, the
garden will include some old favorites of the
prairie landscape as well as some unusual plants
such as creamy indigo, bottle gentian, and
shooting star. The north side will include a
variety of woodland species.
The Fox Valley Area Chapter of Wild Ones, an
organization which promotes environmentally
sound landscaping practices, has invested a
matching grant in this project. “We are
delighted to have received this grant,” said
Erika Jensen, the Arboretum’s Executive
Director. “The grant program requires matching
funds from local donors. That is why we can
offer naming rights in exchange for a gift of
$1000.00,” she continued. “It is the perfect way
to honor a friend or loved one. A memorial
garden will keep your loved one’s memory alive,
growing, year after year.”
Donors can also chose a special message to be
imprinted on a decorative plaque when a donation
of $100 or more is made to the Arboretum. For
more information about The Gottfried Prairie and
Arboretum or to support its efforts to preserve
natural Wisconsin habitat, call (920) 324-5329.
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