UW-Marshfield/Wood County Arboretum A Beautiful Walk
The UW-Marshfield/Wood County Arboretum is one of the hidden gems of our community that we might not know much about.
Wrapping around the back of the UW campus in town, the 140-acre natural forest is one of the few areas that escaped development or agriculture.
“I think that a lot folks do know about it and use it on a regular basis, but even more don‘t know it’s there, or don’t realize what a treasure it is,” said Dr. Laura Lee, associate professor of Biology Science at UW-Marshfield/ Wood County since 2000.
According to historical records, in 1866 the land was between other plots that were used for agriculture. In the 1950s, a school house existed on part of the land and in 1963 part of the land was parceled by the City of Marshfield and given to the University. Then, an additional portion was donated to the University much later and the trail system was begun in 1973.
“The Arboretum wraps around the back of the campus. It stretches from 5th Street between the UW and Mid-State, around the back of both campuses, all the way to 8th Street with two smaller sections running between 8th street and UW Arboretum Connector trail (which connects to 11st Street at Lincoln Ave),” she said.
Visitors to the Arboretum can expect to find a primarily deciduous forest with hardwoods such as aspen, maple, oak, and ash with other vegetation including ferns and wildflowers.
Lee suggests visiting, especially this time of year.
“The fall is especially beautiful with the changing leaves (it’s gorgeous out there now), and the forest floor is abloom with wildflowers in the spring,” she said.
And taking part in the Arboretum is very simple.
“To visit the Arboretum, a visitor just needs to show up. There are several entrances: from the parking lot on 5th Street, from the parking lot on 7th Street, from the parking lot by the tennis court on 8th Street, and from the Lincoln Avenue walking trail. There is also a small connector trail through the Arboretum between the UW and the Mid-State campus. There is no admission charge, and no permit is required,” she said.
She notes that it can be visited anytime during the daylight hours, but the best times for wildlife sightings are during dawn and dusk.
Lee is glad that the community and the University have the opportunities the Arboretum provides.
“It provides valuable “green space” for the campus and the community. It is also a valuable teaching tool; it is a good example of a temperate deciduous forest, and different sections of it are at different successional stages. I regularly take all of my classes out there for various lab activities. We have also taken school children, girl scouts and community groups on tours,” she said.
While Lee hopes that many community members stop to experience the Arboretum, she hopes they are conscientious of the wear and tear on the trails and follow rules such as no biking on the trails.
More information about the Arboretum can be found on the UW-Marshfield/Wood County website, or stop out and witness the natural beauty for yourself!
