Shorewood Nature Preserve

06/02/2026

Toward the southern end of the Preserve, as well as to the south of the main trail down the hill one is sure to notice large colonies of Ostrich ferns (Matteuccia Struthiopteris). The long, arching, elegant fronds remind folks of the feathers of an ostrich.
Typically ferns have a uniform leaf type which has spores hidden on the leaf underside. ostrich ferns are dimorphic. The 3 to 5 foot tall green photosynthesizing fronds surround shorter dark brown fertile fronds that hold spores through the Winter, and release them in the Spring. 
Fossil evidence informs us that ferns have existed on earth over 350 million years! There's something soothing about walking near these living fossils. We hope you enjoy them and leave them in the Preserve for all to appreciate.

05/22/2026

Years of invasive garlic mustard removal have resulted in pathways now lined with native wild geranium. The fine, slightly darker-colored lines within the pink and purple petals function as nectar guides for a variety of pollinators. Native solitary bees, bumblebees, honeybees,ants and beetles all visit the flowers. After they bloom, they form a seed pod that looks like the beak of a crane, giving them another popular name of cranesbill. When the seed pods dry out, they eject seeds up to 30 feet from the plant!
Venture down and take a look, but please don't pick or dig any out. Leave them for all to enjoy.

05/16/2026

20 intrepid volunteers cleared fallen trees from our hiking trails, removed 7 large bags of invasive plants, and cleaned our beach of over a thousand pieces of trash! We so appreciate our partnership with Milwaukee Surfrider, who provided much needed equipment, and muscle power.

05/15/2026

Nature Preserve Clean Up on Saturday, May 16

If you have ventured down the ravine into the Shorewood Nature Preserve, you know what a treasure it is. Like all special places, it needs care. Please consider joining the Friends of Shorewood Nature Preserve group to:

- Clean the preserve and beach
- Learn how to identify and eliminate invasive herbaceous plants
- Help remove some invasives from the preserve
- Trim and clear some of the trails
- Have fun with other like minded nature lovers

Hope to see you on Saturday, May 16, between 9:00 am and noon. Come for any part of the time. Stay as long as you wish.

05/14/2026

Join us Saturday anytime between 9:00-12:00 to clear trails, remove invasive species and clean up litter on the beach. There's something for everyone!

05/14/2026

Thanks to Surfrider for being wonderful partners and caring for the Shorewood Nature Preserve. Please join us on Saturday!

04/27/2026

04/27/2026

The spring ephemeral flowers are up, and many are blooming.

12/21/2025

Happy Solstice! Please visit , but be super cautious on the still icy pathway to the terrace.

10/19/2025

Saturday's beach clean up yielded 216 bottle caps, 119 plastic straws, over 500 pieces of tiny plastics and foam, 80 plastic cigar tips, 23 balloons, a 10 foot metal pipe, hammock, plastic toys, fishing gear, cans and even an adult diaper! We are happy to have these items out of the lake and off our beach! Thanks to all who helped us out!