"When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." Aldo Leopold

(1886 - 1948) American Forester

Mississippi Valley Conservancy

Holland Sand Prairie

The most impressive attribute of the Holland Sand Prairie is the tremendous biodiversity existing on the site.  Roughly 150 species of plants have been identified to date, some of which are State threatened species or species of special concern.  Large, mature patches of relatively rare plants such as prairie smoke, silky prairie clover, and sand dropseed are scattered throughout the prairie.

George Varnum, a local prairie enthusiast who lived near the Holland Prairie, was the first person to begin documenting the rich diversity of native plants at the site.  He contacted the WI-DNR about the prairie in 1997, and soon afterwards, efforts were underway by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy to preserve this site.  It wasn't until December 2004 that a deal was finally reached to preserve the 61 acres of the Holland Sand Prairie.  Partners in the preservation were:  Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Town of Holland, WI-DNR, The Prairie Enthusiasts and the Friends of the Holland Sand Prairie.

Some prairie activities for you and your family to do:

Recreation:  Non-destructive recreation, such as observing and photographing flora and fauna.  Activities not allowed are seed collection, taking of flora or fauna, non-pedestrian travel, camping, and other activities leading to site degradation.

Education:  Scheduled hikes are offered to the public for the purpose of education.  Hike participants can share knowledge and discuss aspects of prairie ecology and plant and animal identification.  The prairie is open for use by school groups as a field classroom.

Restoration:  The public is invited to join in scheduled work events.  Activities include tree and brush removal, seed harvesting, fence building, trail maintenance, and conducting prescribed burns.

A map of the Holland Sand Prairie: