Friends of Vernon Marsh

Friends of Vernon Marsh Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Friends of Vernon Marsh, Nonprofit Organization, Waukesha, WI.

Friends of Vernon Marsh, formed in 2008, works to restore native plant & wildlife communities and helps educate people on the important role the Marsh plays in protection, cleansing, and recharge of water resources through activities planned in the Marsh

Natural Resource Foundation Field Trip June 2026.We were gifted a perfect hiking day with the Natural Resource Foundatio...
06/13/2026

Natural Resource Foundation Field Trip June 2026.

We were gifted a perfect hiking day with the Natural Resource Foundation group! We encountered critters pictured here and also a fawn, osprey, turkey vulture, muskrat, several birds, and sadly some turtle nests invaded by a predator. TWO surprise Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies graced our path as well! Erin McKeon, Board Member, and Sadee Kidd, DNR LTE, lead the friendly group, and Lynn Preston, Board Secretary, shuttled folks. Thank you all, hikers & NRF for fostering these trips that get folks outdoors!

Great News!! The new Vernon Marsh Boardwalk Trail is now marked!! A great place to start your hike is at the Bears Den...
06/09/2026

Great News!! The new Vernon Marsh Boardwalk Trail is now marked!! A great place to start your hike is at the Bears Den Parking Area in Mukwonago. The entrance road is immediately west of the railroad crossing on Hwy NN. Walk down the hill from the parking area and the trail starts there. Turn left to walk the boardwalk section. Turn right to walk the berm section. Follow the Green Trail Markers (see below) for the entire 5 mile loop or double back at a certain point. You won't be disappointed.

06/09/2026

Nothing says summer like a volunteer day filled with invasive plant removal and clean up on the Vernon Marsh Trail Loop.

We also added new trail markers along the route, so keep an eye out for green arrows on the trees to know you’re on the right path! We should have a trail map to share very soon.

Interested in hiking the trail? Join us at a future event, or hop on the trail near the parking lot located off Frog Alley Road (28830 Frog Alley Rd, Mukwonago, WI 53149) or the gravel lot off Hwy NN (E Veterans Way) near the water tower and railroad tracks in Mukwonago.

06/03/2026

REMINDER: We have a great opportunity to get out into the Vernon Marsh this June, and we would love your help with some important spring maintenance tasks. Please find the event details below:

Event: Vernon Marsh Boardwalk Trail Maintenance
Date: Sunday, June 7th, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Rain or shine; please check your email in case of severe weather)
Location: Meet at the "Bears Den" parking area off Hwy NN (Veterans Parkway) near the water tower and railroad tracks in Mukwonago.
Cost: No fee

What to Wear & Bring:

- Wear work clothes, gloves, and closed-toe shoes or boots.
- Dress for the weather; orange vests and trash bags will be provided.
- Some equipment (loppers, blower, trimmer, etc.) will be provided, but feel free to bring your own preferred tools.
- Please bring safety goggles if you plan to use power tools.

DNR representatives will be assisting with an ATV to help transport equipment. Maintenance groups will be assembled at the meet-up.

Responsibilities:

- Walk all Boardwalk Trail sections, including Frog Alley Rd. and berm.
- Pick up trash and clear invasives.
- Trim brush and clear debris off boardwalks.
- Place trail markers on trees.
- Note trail repair needs, maintenance issues, and areas for future bench placement.
- Discuss trailhead and interpretive signage needs.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Call Allen with any questions at 414-507-8358 or by email ([email protected])

Hope to see you there!

Best regards,

Allen Stasiewski
Friends of Vernon Marsh



Waukesha County Land Conservancy


Happy Earth Day from the Friends of Vernon Marsh! 📸: Jamie Kollman, Jessica Knackert
04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day from the Friends of Vernon Marsh!

📸: Jamie Kollman, Jessica Knackert

Our spring cleanup was a success! While some trails still remain flooded, we were able to clean up the parking lots and ...
04/19/2026

Our spring cleanup was a success!

While some trails still remain flooded, we were able to clean up the parking lots and observation areas surrounding the marsh.

Shoutout to the 11 volunteers that helped out today! We are so grateful for your support.

04/18/2026

⚠️ ALERT ⚠️

Water levels are high and some trails are flooded on Vernon Wildlife Area following this week’s storms. The Wisconsin DNR urges property users to avoid areas with high water levels.

We will still be hosting our cleanup event tomorrow morning at 9am. We will be avoiding flooded regions, but attendees should dress for muddy conditions. More information for this cleanup event can be found on our events page.

May 3, 2026 Vernon Marsh Spring Collaboration Hike on Boardwalk TrailTime: 1 pm 4 pm​The Great Waters Group is collabo...
04/09/2026

May 3, 2026 Vernon Marsh Spring Collaboration Hike on Boardwalk Trail

Time: 1 pm 4 pm​

The Great Waters Group is collaborating with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of Vernon Marsh on a 3.1-mile hike to explore the southernmost section of the 4,300-acre Vernon Wildlife Area.

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During this hike we will view the local fauna of this expansive marsh and woodland area using a portion of a loop trail opened by the DNR in 2024. Early May

should provide hike participants with the opportunity to witness migratory bird activity and spring flowers. Jessica Knackert, a wildlife specialist with the Department of Natural Resources, will be our guide and talk about the local fauna and plans for this wildlife area. The hike has mainly flat terrain with one small uphill section. It is a combination of a dirt path, boardwalks, and crushed gravel.

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To avoid an out-and-back hike, most participants may opt to shuttle cars and end up back at Frog Alley. There will be an option to gather afterward at a nearby bar and grill.

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Dress for the weather, including hiking boots or old shoes as some sections of the trail may be muddy. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars.

Learn more and register at: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details

Address

Waukesha, WI
53187

Telephone

+14145078358

Website

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