Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area, Grantsburg, Wisconsin

Crex Meadows is a 30,000 acre state wildlife management area. It's objective is to restore the area to its original condition of a brush prairie-wetland complex. It was altered by settlers in the late 1800s - wetlands were drained and much of the brush prairie was allowed to grow into a jack pine-oak forest. As a result, much of the original native plants and animals were significantly reduced or completely disappeared. 

Habitat restoration efforts began shortly after the State of Wisconsin purchased the area in 1946. Wildlife response to prairie and wetlands restoration has been dramatic. The abundance and diversity of wildlife has made Crex a wildlife show place. It is part of a national network of Wildlife Viewing Areas and Important Bird Areas. Over 120,000 people visit Crex each year. About 75% of them come just to observe wildlife, but thousands of hunters and trappers also use the property.