| Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area | |
|---|---|
 Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie | |
  Location of Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Dane,Wisconsin, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°8′23″N89°46′23″W / 43.13972°N 89.77306°W /43.13972; -89.77306 |
| Area | 16 acres (6.5 ha) |
| Established | 1986 |
Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie is aWisconsin Department of Natural Resources-designatedState Natural Area featuring one of the few remaining dry-mesic prairies in Wisconsin, situated on a lowDriftless Area knob and ridge. Despite the prairie's relatively small size, 130 native prairie plant species have been documented on the site. Many of these species are quite showy, includingwood lily,shooting star,fringed puccoon,pasque flower,butterfly weed, andcompass plant. Several rare species are also found on the site, includingpomme-de-prairie,white camas,striped hairstreak, and the state-threatened species rough-stemmed false foxglove (Agalinis gattingeri) andregal fritillary.
The original land-surveyor records for the area indicate presettlement vegetation was treeless prairie. Following settlement in the area, the prairie escaped plowing, although some grazing undoubtedly occurred, and old tractor furrows can still be seen along the top of the ridge. The most recent private owners preserved the prairie for over 40 years. The gradual decline of the prairie over this time, as well as the owners' desire to preserve it, led to theNature Conservancy's purchase of the prairie in 1986, below market value. Restoration of the prairie soon commenced, and in 2003, management was taken over by the Prairie Enthusiasts, an organization dedicated to preserving and restoring native prairie remnants. Full ownership of the site was transferred to the Prairie Enthusiasts in 2007.[1][2]
Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie is located in northwestern Dane County, approximately 1.25 miles (2.01 km) west ofBlack Earth. A small parking lot dedicated for the site is located along the south side of Fesenfeld Rd., approximately 0.25 miles (0.40 km) west of its intersection with County Highway F. A trail winds through the entire length of the prairie.[3]
