Eagle Heights Woods
Aerial view of 1937. While Eagle Heights Woods remains intact, most of the rest of the Preserve area shown is converted to farmland (Raymer and Young farms). Notice the location of open grown oaks left in the fields, the treelined contours of the Park and Pleasure Drive separating the farms and winding along Lake Mendota toward Eagle Heights Woods. Source Aerial view of Wisconsin 7/6/ 1937, roll-Exposure: 7:586. Wisconsin Historic Aerial Image Finder, http://maps.sco.wisc.edu/WHAIFinder/#
For a more detailed historical perspective, see Professor Thomas Brock's chapter on Eagle Heights, in Historic Madison: A Journal of the Four Lake Region, Volume XII (1995, Historic Madison, Inc.)
For an introduction to Native American Mounds in Eagle Heights Woods, see the Friends newsletter of spring 2003:
Ancient Earthworks in Eagle Heights Woods
For a full-sized map of the mounds and more detailed information about Native American Mounds in the Preserve, see Native Americans in the Preserve, Eagle Heights Mound Group (DA130)
For an introduction to the geological history of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, with a focus on Eagle Heights Woods, see the illustrated presentation by David Mickelson on The Geology of Eagle Heights Woods.
The first inventory of native vascular plants of Eagle Heights Woods was conducted in 1998 by Joshua Sulman. The inventory also included Wally Baumann Woods and the Tent Colony Woods. For detailed information, follow this link:
Native Vascular Plants in Eagle Heights Woods (1998)
In 2013, Preserve Staff has developed a multi-year Management Plan for Eagle Heights Woods with a focus on vegetation management "to accomplish the protection of the Native American Indian burial mounds and promotion of a well-functioning natural community."
Over a period of six years, the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve have contributed over $150,000 toward the Eagle Heights Woods restoration.
For a summary of this Management Plan, presented at the Friends' Board meeting June 3, 2014, follow this link:
Eagle Heights Woods Management Plan (2014) - a Presentation for the Friends of the Preserve
In short, the new management plan will:
For an introduction to Native American Mounds in Eagle Heights Woods, see the Friends newsletter of spring 2003:
Ancient Earthworks in Eagle Heights Woods
For a full-sized map of the mounds and more detailed information about Native American Mounds in the Preserve, see Native Americans in the Preserve, Eagle Heights Mound Group (DA130)
For an introduction to the geological history of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, with a focus on Eagle Heights Woods, see the illustrated presentation by David Mickelson on The Geology of Eagle Heights Woods.
The first inventory of native vascular plants of Eagle Heights Woods was conducted in 1998 by Joshua Sulman. The inventory also included Wally Baumann Woods and the Tent Colony Woods. For detailed information, follow this link:
Native Vascular Plants in Eagle Heights Woods (1998)
In 2013, Preserve Staff has developed a multi-year Management Plan for Eagle Heights Woods with a focus on vegetation management "to accomplish the protection of the Native American Indian burial mounds and promotion of a well-functioning natural community."
Over a period of six years, the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve have contributed over $150,000 toward the Eagle Heights Woods restoration.
For a summary of this Management Plan, presented at the Friends' Board meeting June 3, 2014, follow this link:
Eagle Heights Woods Management Plan (2014) - a Presentation for the Friends of the Preserve
In short, the new management plan will:
- Protect the Native American mounds by removing invasive vegetation and realigning adjacent trails
- Remove hazard trees along the trails and over the mounds to protect both visitors and burial sites
- Enhance views to Lake Mendota
- Encourage the growth of native trees and wildflowers by removing invasive plants
- Increase plant diversity and improve wildlife habitat by planting grasses, wildflowers and shrubs
- Refurbish trails with carefully planned, mulched footpaths
- Realign steep, eroded trails to reduce washouts and improve footing
- Provide ongoing monitoring and management of vegetation to promote biological health of the area