The Solon Springs Sharptail Barrens State Natural Area (No. 65) is a DNR-owned property that is located within the DCWMA.  It is a 240-acre area bounded on the south by Bird Sanctuary Road and on the east by Grouse Road.  This property was given the special designation of state natural area in 1968 to help preserve a natural legacy. 

Why was the Solon Springs property selected?  The following response to this question is from Dawn Hinebaugh, (DNR SNA Program):

"The SNA Program tries to capture the diversity of Wisconsin's natural communties, rare plants and animals, geologic features and archeological sites. In addition, the sites that are within the SNA system encompass the range of diversity found on various landscape types (based on Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin http://dnr.wi.gov/landscapes/)

Historically, notes within our files show that discussion began around 1966 to establish a natural area within the northwest pine barrens landscape and especially a site that would benefit or harbor Sharp-tail grouse.   In 1967, Fred Hammerstrom penned a note to the SNA ecologist, Cliff Germain, and suggested looking into Solon Springs and, in particular, section 11. Today, this is the site of our natural area. "

The image below can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here (requires Adobe Acrobat).

A topographical map of this SNA can be downloaded by clicking here (requires Adobe Acrobat).

Image provided by Dawn Hinebaugh, DNR State Natural Areas Program.