Kettle Moraine Oak Opening State Natural Area gets national recognition for its beauty and biodiversity

Palmyra, Wis.,—The Kettle Moraine Oak Opening State Natural Area is being nationally recognized for its old trees, beauty and biodiversity. It will be formally inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) during an event in Palmyra on May 16, 2026.

The Kettle Moraine Oak Opening is the 11th Wisconsin location to be recognized, joining more than 320 forests nationwide recognized in the Old-Growth Forest Network.

“We’re grateful for the hard work of those who keep the trails open and take care of this place so that old trees, wildflowers and the life they harbor can continue to flourish in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. We’re honored to welcome this place into the national Network.” said Nick Sanchez, Forest Conservation Manager with the Old-Growth Forest Network.

The OGFN is a nonprofit working to recognize at least one forest in every forested county in the United States, creating a roadmap of family-friendly hikes that showcase the beauty, complexity and diversity of the nation’s oldest forests.

Designated as a State Natural Area in 1991, the Kettle Moraine Oak Opening lies in the heart of the jumbled and rugged landscape of the interlobate moraine, an area of glacially-formed kettles, kames, and gravelly hills and ridges. The area is a mixture of oak opening and oak woodland dominated by open-grown bur and black oaks well over a century old. Small dry prairie openings occur on gravel knobs and steep south and west-facing ridges.

The Oak Opening State Natural Area can be accessed via a 1.5-mile portion of the Blue Spring Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail which runs from the southwest corner of the property to the northwest corner. This is a small portion of the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, which follows the extent of the last glacier.

“It’s exciting that the Ice Age Trail passes through a place now officially recognized as old-growth forest,” says Melissa Pierick, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “The Trail already connects people to some of Wisconsin’s most remarkable landscapes. This designation highlights just how special those experiences can be. Now as hikers walk among the old oaks, they’ll appreciate the beauty, history and biodiversity that make the Kettle Moraine Oak Opening so extraordinary.”

Public Invited to recognition ceremony and hike

The day’s festivities will begin with a brief recognition ceremony at Rushing Waters, beginning at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include remarks from Old-Growth Forest Network staff,  Walworth/Jefferson Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers, and Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit volunteers.

Following the ceremony, there will be guided, interpretative hikes through the State Natural Area (3 miles roundtrip). Attendees will learn more about the forest, trees, and Ice Age Trail. An alternative shorter hike will be offered.

Hikers are encouraged to carpool from Rushing Waters due to limited parking at the Bald Bluff Nature Trail. Attendees should register on the OGFN’s website oldgrowthforest.net/upcoming-events.

May 16 Event Details:
 
10 a.m.: Recognition Ceremony Rushing Waters (N301 Co Rd H, Palmyra) 

Followed by Guided Hike: starting at Bald Bluff Scenic Overlook Parking area on Hwy H.

Free Registration at: oldgrowthforest.net/upcoming-events.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the Ice Age Trail Alliance.