Facts About The Marsh

STATE WILDLIFE AREA & NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. Located in southeast
Wisconsin, this vast wetland is only one hour drive from Milwaukee and Madison. While this
marsh is renown for its migrant flocks of Canada geese, it is also home to more than 290 kinds
of birds which have been sighted over the years.

Due to its importance to wildlife, Horicon Marsh has been designated as a "Wetland of
International Importance" and a "Globally Important Bird Area." Horicon Marsh is both a state
wildlife area and national wildlife refuge. Different opportunities and restrictions apply to each
area. Much of this is described in the following pages while additional information is available
from the appropriate offices.

Click Here To Learn More About The State & National Wildlife Refuge

ICE AGE RESERVE UNIT
The Ice Age National Scientific Reserve was established in 1964 to protect the glacial landforms
and landscapes in Wisconsin. The reserve is an affiliated area of the National Park System and
consists of nine units across Wisconsin. Most of these units are connected by the Ice Age Trail.
The units protect different areas of scenic and scientific value and provide all kinds of
opportunities, from studying Wisconsin’s natural history at one of the interpretive centers, to
hiking, camping, sightseeing and wildlife viewing.

Click Here To Learn More About Ice Age Reserve Unit

GLOBALLY IMPORTANT BIRD AREA
Habitat destruction and degradation are the most serious threats to the survival of bird species
and populations both here in Wisconsin, in other states, and in other countries.

The Important Bird Areas (IBA) program is a global initiative that links local and state
conservation efforts to national and international efforts to protect essential habitat for
all birds.

Click Here To Learn More About The IBA

WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE
Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the
associated plant and animal life. They occur where the water table is at or near the surface of
the land, or where the land is covered by water.

Click Here To Learn More About The Conservation of Wetlands