The Downer Woods Natural Area is an 11.1 acre accessible forest on the UWM campus, which became part of the UWM Field Station in the Spring of 1998. Prior to 1998, the woods were not managed as a natural area, and the vegetation bore little resemblance to that of the mature beech-maple forest which must have once occupied the site.
After the Field Station began managing the site, exotic species started to be controlled, a formal trail system was constructed, a permanent grid system was constructed, and the vegetation of the forest was sampled.
The plant species list and vegetation data are available on request. Now that the thicket of non-native shrubs has been removed and adequate trails are provided, Downer Woods is being used extensively by neighbors and students for enjoyment of the natural area.
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