Mazomanie Bluff
Village of Mazomanie
This scenic site, formally known as Mazomanie School Section Bluff, is owned by the Village of Mazomanie. Although it is within the limits of the Village, you would not know it, as it is high and remote and quite natural. There are great views to the east, south, and west. On the north is an American flag and the tower of a lighted star that is a Christmas attraction.
The Prairie Enthusiasts has had a written management agreement with the village since 1999. The work was initiated by Kay Bongers, and involved extensive clearing of invasive cedars. Brush cutting and weed control work continues. The Prairie Enthusiasts has several volunteer workdays per year. Parts of the prairie are burned every year. The current steward is Denny Connor (608-798-4185).
The lower portions at the south end of the bluff are owned by cooperating landowners and are not open to the public.
The prairie remnant here is one of the larger in Dane County, and although it has been somewhat degraded by grazing, tree invasion, and crown vetch, there are some good quality areas.
Access
Reaching the prairie requires a stiff hike up a steep service road, but the effort is worth it. Access is from the end of Cramer Road on the south side of U.S. Highway 14. See map. Cramer Road is the first road on the left after entering the village limits. Park at the uphill end of the road, and follow the graveled service road to the top of the bluff. Once on top, walk south to the end of the bluff.
Prairie characteristics
Over 65 prairie/savanna forbs and grasses have been recorded, including pomme de prairie (Pediomelum esculentum), wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum), white camas lily (Zigadenus elegans), and lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthes sp.). Grasses include big and little bluestem, Indian grass, side oats, and prairie dropseed.
This site has ranked among the top 6 sites in the state for diversity of prairie specialist insects in the groups leafhoppers, planthoppers, and spittlebugs, all of which require native prairie grasses for food. Another animal is the bull snake, which is of special concern and tends to be a prairie specialist.
Information provided by Kay Bongers
Prescribed burns
Mazo Bluff Prairie has developed dramatically since the first prescribed burns were done in the early 2000s. The burns are carried out by volunteer crews of The Prairie Enthusiasts. Because of its high, dry character, burns at Mazo Bluff can be carried out early in the season, such as middle to late March. The photos here show a burn carried out on March 23, 2003.
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An early stage of a controlled burn of Mazo
Bluff. |
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| The burn crew for the 2003
burn. |
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At the top of Mazo Bluff,
looking north. |
Volunteer
Two Saturday workdays are scheduled for Mazo Bluff this semester, on October 6 and December 8. Both will deal with invasive brush. Contact Denny Connor (608-798-4185) for details.
Map of Mazomanie Bluff Area
