"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
Holland Sand Prairie
The Holland Sand Prairie sits atop an expansive Mississippi River Terrace, created about 12,000 years ago during the last ice-age, that stretches nearly 30 miles from south La Crosse to Galesville, WI. Once home to a great expanse of native sand prairie and natural dunes, the La Crosse - Galesville Terrace is now almost completely developed into cities, towns, and farms. The dunes and hollows on the Holland Prairie are the only undisturbed Aeolian (wind-formed) landforms in the entire area.
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.
Directions: Exit McHugh Road off Highway 35 north of Holmen.
Go west
approximately 1/2 mile and park on the south side of the road. Click here for map.
