Natural Areas

an aerial view of a ski resort in the winter.

CXC Outdoor Center

Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., December 1, 2023-March 15, 2024, the CXC Outdoor Center…

Explore More
a body of water surrounded by lots of trees

Tiedeman Pond Conservancy Area

This 25-acre glacial kettle pond and restored wetland was part of the George Tiedeman family…

Explore More
a woman kneeling down next to a dog near a lake

Stricker Pond Conservancy Area

Stricker Pond is Middleton’s largest kettle pond at approximately 30 acres in size. The pond…

Explore More
a path through a grassy area with trees in the background

Stonefield Conservancy Area

This 5.3-acre site is located along Stonefield Road, between the railroad tracks and Old Middleton…

Explore More
a fire hydrant sitting in the middle of a lush green field

Pheasant Branch Ridge Drainageway

This conservancy area is located north of Whittlesey Road, west of Pheasant Branch Road and…

Explore More
a sunset over a body of water with grass in the foreground

Orchid Heights Conservancy Area

This 5-acre prairie conservancy area is located along Valley Ridge Road, south of Orchid Heights…

Explore More
a woman and a child walking a dog on a path

Middleton Hills Wetland Conservancy Area

This 12-acre site is located in Middleton Hills, between Frank Lloyd Wright Avenue and High…

Explore More
a dirt path surrounded by trees and bushes

Middleton Hills Oak Savanna Conservancy Area

This 3-acre oak savanna includes soft surface and wood chipped hiking trails, interpretive signs and…

Explore More
a dirt road surrounded by trees and grass

Middleton Hills Pond and Conservancy

This pond and conservancy area is located along the west side of Pheasant Branch Road,…

Explore More
a park with a pond and a gazebo surrounded by trees

Lakeview Park Conservancy Area

Areas A, B and C of this conservancy are located in Lakeview Park west of…

Explore More
a garden filled with lots of different types of plants

John C. Bock Community Forest

The 19.2-acre site was initially divided into four units: oak woodland, hay field, old field…

Explore More
a crane standing in the middle of a field

Hidden Oaks

This prairie conservancy is maintained as a natural area south of White Coral Way and…

Explore More
a wooden boardwalk is next to a grassy field

Graber Pond Conservancy Area

This conservancy area is located on the city’s northern boundary. The 33-acre site is uniquely…

Explore More
a black bird is standing in the middle of a field

Gaylord Nelson Road Detention Pond Conservancy Area

This 3-acre detention pond, seeded as wet prairie, is located on Gaylord Nelson Road. On-street…

Explore More
a woman standing on a bridge looking at the water

Esser Pond

This pond was historically an isolated kettle pond, but was engineered to connect to the…

Explore More
a sign is in front of a pond

Elm Lawn School/Tiedeman Pond Conservancy Area

This 3-acre conservancy area is located east of Gammon Road across from Tiedeman Pond. The…

Explore More
a bench sitting in the middle of a field

Pheasant Branch Conservancy

The 549-acre Conservancy protects Pheasant Branch Creek, which supplies Lake Mendota with 1,800 gallons of…

Explore More