Guckenberg-Sturm Preserve

For this blog post I decided to do something that had some more spooky elements to it. The Guckenberg-Sturm Preserve is a small piece of land that looks as wild as any other marsh. But you look to the horizon and find yourself in the middle of the Fox Valley Metropolitan Area as the Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge can be seen to the south. But beware of what may be lurking in the vast cattail reeds.

Key Features

• Natural Beauty: It is a beautiful and serene natural area with diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, and prairies.
• Wildlife Habitat: It provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.
• Recreational Opportunities: It offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and nature photography.
• Educational Opportunities: It is a great place to learn about the natural environment and the importance of conservation.
• Community Engagement: The Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, which owns and manages the preserve, organizes various events and programs to engage the community.

Review

On the road to Strobe Island in Fox Crossing just after the rail road tracks and before you cross the causeway to the island. A green Sign and a wooden stairway mark the entrance to this preserve. Other than a dock stretching from the mud path there are no other structures on this property.

The path is not built up, its worn down by foot traffic following the yellow diamonds marking the path. It follows the north railroad tracks to the Fox River. You can then walk to the east until the peninsula ends at a small channel. And that is the end of the trail.

Opposite of the train tracks is a marsh of cattails. Disappearing into the cattails is a a floating dock. The Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust is trying to maintain this dock but more work needs to be done. As you walk down the docks you are surrounded by cattails that are hanging over the dock. The dock shakes as you walk and cattails brush against your clothing. you start to wonder what animals are hidden just out of sight in the reeds. Finally you reach the pond in the center of the marsh.

While this preserve is a small piece of land it feels isolated. Its not near any main thoroughfare and feels like you’re deep in the wilderness. Deer sign and birds are all over the place. A flock of ducks flushed off the pond as we walked down the dock. Geese fly over head. And the mystique is only broken by a plane flying over to land at the Appleton Airport.

If you’re a seasoned hiker the paths will not be a challenge. But this preserve is not wheel chair accessable. And during different times of the year the path may be flooded over. Be prepared to get mud on your shoes and to be harassed by mosquitoes during the summer.

If you need a little more of a hike after visiting Guckenberg-Sturm Preserve, just south is the Wild Ones Natural Landscapers property. They have a few more easier trails for you to walk. Its a great place to bring young children for a walk. You can also learn how to use local plants for your own home landscaping.

Please leave a comment below to let me know your thoughts on this blog. And thank you for visiting my blog.