Reiner-Smith Drumlin Prairie
The Prairie Enthusiasts' newest acquisition (Dec. 2011).
The Reiner-Smith site consists of 40
acres of land in eastern Dane County, in Christiana Township, near Cambridge. It consists of a drumlin hill with original prairie sod with native wildflowers and grasses. The preserve harbors over 100 native prairie plant species,
including stunning displays of cylindrical blazingstar,
rough blazingstar and bird's-foot violet, a healthy
population of the federally-threatened prairie bush-
clover, and, in a few locations, species typical of very
rare mesic prairie, species such as prairie lily, rattlesnake
master, rosinweed, and compass plant. In addition, the
preserve is home to eight species of prairie-dependent
leafhoppers, including Memnonia panzeri which is a
State Species of Greatest Conservation Need that feeds
exclusively upon prairie dropseed. The 40-acre site, all
in grass cover, also supports grassland bird species that
have been in severe decline over the past 40 years or
more, species such as eastern meadowlark, bobolink, and
grasshopper sparrow.
Drumlin is from an Irish word meaning "little hill". Drumlins are long, narrow whale-shaped hills that were formed by the last (Wisconsin) glacier. This part of southern Wisconsin has large numbers of drumlins, many of which originally contained prairie. Because of their gravelly consistency, they are generally unsuited for agriculture.
The preserve was purchased in 2011 from Glenn Smith, whose family had owned the land since
the 1920s. The purchase was made possible in part with a
grant from the US Fish & Wildlife Service for permanent protection of critical habitat for
Endangered/Threatened species.
The Prairie Enthusiasts and its volunteers have been managing and restoring the site for the past 12 years.
Reiner-Smith Drumlin Prairie will be open to the public for hiking, bird-watching, and
other low impact outdoor activities. Guided hikes have been, and will continue to be,
periodically offered to the public.
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| Typical wildflower view of the Reiner-Smith Drumlin Prairie. (Rich Henderson photo) |
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| An outstanding mid-summer display of rough blazing star (Liatris aspera) on Reiner-Smith Drumlin. (Eric Preston photo) |
Directions to reach Reiner-Smith Drumlin Prairie From the intersection of US Hwy 12 and Hwy 73 (2.5 miles west of Cambridge, WI), take 73 south 1.5 miles to County PQ. Turn left (east) onto PQ. Proceed 1.0 miles to Clear View Road. Take Clear View (right turn) south 0.6 miles. Park along the road, but off the shoulder. |
