Location: Waushara County

Area protected: 40 acres

Protection strategy: conservation easement

A 22 acre swamp hardwood stand on this conservancy includes white cedar, black ash, American elm, white birch, swamp white oak, black oak, aspen, and tamarack. This stand is providing excellent habitat for deer, turkeys and grouse. An additional 11 acres of red and white poletimber are enrolled in the Managed Forest Law.

As with many wetlands, the wetland at Alder Creek provides a filter for sediment and pollutants, natural flood control, and replenishes the underground water supply. The wetland drains to the headwaters of Alder Creek and then into Lake Poygan.

Alder Creek Conservancy's diversity and protection make it a haven for birds and animals alike. These — and dozens of other species — have chosen Alder Creek as their home:

• Green Frogs
• Wood Ducks
• Turkeys
• Badgers
• Mallards
• Great Blue Herons
• Sandhill Cranes