Over the past several months, Restoring Lands staff have engaged in a robust process to choose new names for some of our preserves. The preserves we prioritized for renaming had originally been assigned temporary names that didn’t take into account relationship to land, natural features, or historical perspectives.
We believe these names more accurately reflect the natural features and unique characteristics of the preserves and hope that the names inspire you to build a deeper relationship with these lands. We invite you to visit and encourage you to take time to notice the herons, the tamaracks, and the springs. Relish in the blackbird migration. Explore the peninsula and the wetlands. Enjoy!
Center Lane is now Cedar Springs Preserve. This preserve gets its name from the many cedars in the swamp that is created by natural springs on the preserve. There are no official trails; click for hunting details.
County Line is now Tamarack Springs Preserve. A majestic tamarack (also known as larch or hackmatack) greets you at the entrance to this preserve, which also holds the headwaters of Cedar Creek, fed by a natural spring. There is a short trail loop; click for hunting details.
County XX is now Blackbird Preserve. Wetlands in the northwest corner of this preserve attract blackbirds of all kinds during their migration season. There are no official trails; click for hunting details.
Newark Lore is now Green Heron Wetlands. Most of this preserve is a wetland, and green herons are spotted here often, fishing for and stalking their prey. There is a short trail along the access road; click for hunting details.
Ville du Parc is now Peninsula Point Preserve. This preserve has a unique peninsula feature that creates a lagoon-type water feature on the Milwaukee River. There are no trails or parking spots at this preserve.
