Completion of the Ephraim Wetlands Project
In 2024, the Village made a significant investment in the Ephraim Wetlands Property with the installation of new bridges and the rehabilitation of the paths for a total project cost of $50,000. The project was funded with a $25,000 grant from Wisconsin Coastal Management, and the Village subsidized the remaining $25,000.
In 2025, the Village undertook an informational and wayfinding signage project to celebrate the hard work of those who, in 1997, fought to save a parcel of wetlands from development. The parcel was saved from developers who wanted to build a 50-unit condo motel, and in preparation for the project, they removed over 400 trees from the property before being stopped by the Village. In the same spirit of their efforts, the Village continues to highlight the importance of the unique piece of land through the newly installed trailside exhibit project.
The wetlands offer 2 looped scenic trails, bird watching, balsam poplars, raspberries, aspens, and spruce trees. There are 60 varieties of wildflowers, including rare orchids. The wetland is also home to wildlife that receives protection provided by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), such as the Hines Emerald Dragonfly. In the past year, bird watchers have documented 48 types of birds, and since 2013, 83 types of birds have been documented. The property is composed of a ridge-and-swale wetlands complex that connects to a wetland complex stretching from Ephraim across the Peninsula to the Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor. It offers an escape from the nearby busy STH 42, allowing visitors to wander back into nature.
Julie Hein, of Lake Ledge Naturalist, LLC, developed and installed the signage for the Wetlands to bring the wetlands alive with interpretative content and wayfinding signs. The Raibrook Foundation and Paul R. Burton provided essential financial support for the project. Their support enabled the Village to provide all those who visit the wetlands with an opportunity to learn about the unique ecological system of the wetlands with a welcome kiosk, wayfinding signage, and trailside exhibits that explain the significance of the resources the Village fought to protect while highlighting the importance of the wetlands, which will be showcased with new interpretive elements to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the landscape.
New Self-Guided Nature Trail Installed at Ephraim Wetlands Preserve
The Village of Ephraim has a new way to explore one of its treasured natural places. A self-guided interpretive nature trail has been installed at Ephraim Wetlands Preserve, inviting visitors to slow down, look closely, and discover the richness of life within this seven-acre forested wetland in the heart of the village.
The new experience includes trailside exhibits, a welcome kiosk, and a simple wayfinding system that makes it easier for visitors to navigate the preserve trails. The exhibits highlight wetland life and natural processes, from trees, ferns, birds, dragonflies, and fungi to restoration and the important role wetlands play in slowing and filtering water.
Interactive prompts at each station invite visitors to pause, listen, observe, and use their senses as they explore. Two QR codes at the kiosk provide access to bird and plant lists for those who want to identify species along the way.
The nature trail was made possible through the generous support and partnership of Paul Burton, The Raibrook Foundation, and the Village of Ephraim.
Together, the new exhibits and trail features create a welcoming outdoor learning experience that invites visitors to enjoy this small preserve, understand its importance, and discover its connection to a much larger wetland landscape.
