The first single, comprehensive source for locating North American public prairies, grasslands, and savannas, Prairie Directory of North America is a guide unlike any other. First published in 2001, the book uniquely catalogs the continent's most well-known prairie sites by country and state for easy reference. With the addition of over three hundred newly located, preserved, or restored sites, the second edition is the prairie enthusiast's ideal guide to locating countless North American sites-from the well-documented to the remote. Readers can use the guide to plan both convenient visits to close-to-home prairies and journeys to sites well across the continent. Also included is an expanded state-by-state index, ideal for locating specific prairies in any given state. The victim of destructive plowing and construction at the hands of European settlers, North American grassland ecosystems that once spanned the entire continent have suffered degradation and fragmentation. With the Prairie Directory as a guide, however, ecologists, environmental scientists, and tourists can experience the essence of this ancient ecosystem and, in some locations, even its vastness. The book lists tiny, hidden half-acre prairies spared by the plow as well as popular sites covering millions of acres. It documents prairies hidden deep in forests or in plain sight in American Indian reservations. The only one of its kind, this book will allow readers to experience the prairie as a colorful, fragrant, wildlife-rich North American landscape.

Between A.D. 700 and 1100 Native Americans built more effigy mounds in Wisconsin than anywhere else in North America, with an estimated 1,300 mounds—including the world’s largest known bird effigy—at the center of effigy-building culture in and around Madison, Wisconsin. These huge earthworks, sculpted in the shape of birds, mammals, and other figures, have aroused curiosity for generations and together comprise a vast effigy mound ceremonial landscape. Farming and industrialization destroyed most of these mounds, leaving the mysteries of who built them and why they were made. The remaining mounds are protected today and many can be visited. explores the cultural, historical, and ceremonial meanings of the mounds in an informative, abundantly illustrated book and guide. Finalist, Social Science, Midwest Book Awards

Take a Hike! Who says you have to travel far from home to go on a great hike? Here are forty-three of the best hikes, nearly all within an hour’s drive of Madison, Wisconsin—from the Capital City State Trail to Devil’s Lake State Park. The hikes offer skyline views, a range of landscapes, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Whether you’re in the mood for an easy nature walk or a day-long hike, this guide offers plenty to choose from: • Picnic Point • Pheasant Branch Conservancy • Gibraltar Rock • Blue Mound State Park • Pope Farm Park • Meadow Valley and Cave Trails Each hike features full-color photos; a brief route description; thorough directions to the trailhead (GPS coordinates included); a detailed, full-color trail map; and at-a-glance information on distance and difficulty level, hiking time, canine compatibility, and fees and permits. Inside you’ll also find a Trail Finder that categorizes each hike (e.g., for attractions such as views, and if it’s suitable for families with kids); Green Tips; and information about local lore, points of interest, and the area’s wildlife.

Every Wisconsin waterway has a story, from the Great Lakes and the Mighty Mississippi to thousands of interior lakes, rivers, and trout streams. Wisconsin Waters takes readers on an epic tour of the geologic, natural, and human stories that have shaped these aquatic landscapes over millions of years. In this companion to his popular Wisconsin State Parks book, Scott Spoolman journeys to the distant past to examine the origins of Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and wetlands. In his accessible storytelling style, Spoolman details the natural forces—volcanic eruptions, ancient seas, erosion, glaciers, and more—that created these bodies of water and the resulting habitats for the state’s flora, fauna, and early peoples. More than a geology or natural history book, Wisconsin Waters invites readers to visit waterways in four regions of the state, where they can view the modern-day evidence of how they were formed. Nineteen travel guides suggest ways to explore a selection of Wisconsin waterscapes, providing a better understanding of the land’s history that will enhance readers’ enjoyment of and appreciation for our freshwater resources.

Four lakes, rolling hills, and rocky formations are just a few of the earthly wonders that abound in the Madison area of Wisconsin. Known for its university atmosphere and charming neighborhoods, Madison is also an enclave of diverse natural beauty, and this remarkable guide describes every facet. The urban area itself offers over a dozen hikes that never leave the city limits and yet seem as remote as the trails outside town.60 Hikes within 60 Miles; Madison compiles the very best hikes in the area and offers something for every level of challenge or interest. Each hike description features; Key information on length, hiking time, difficulty, configuration, scenery, traffic, trail surface, and accessibility Historical information and natural history of the areas the hikes pass through A detailed trail map and elevation profile Clear directions to the trailhead and trailhead GPS data Tips on nearby activities In less than an hour you can reach the dramatic climb up the cliffs of Devil's Lake, the rich wetlands of Horicon Marsh, several rugged segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and thick woodlands where Native Americans once hunted and left marker trees and effigy mounds. 60 Hikes within 60 Miles; Madison will direct you to all of them. Ranging from walks through the city proper to more rustic hikes outside town limits, there is a hike in this guide for outdoor enthusiasts of every level.