MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites the public to join DNR staff from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center in Florence, Wis., to learn about the history, ecology and current planning and management of Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area.

Spread Eagle Barrens is located near Florence and Iron Mountain. It was established in 1995 to protect an extensive landscape of bracken grassland or “barrens.” Bracken grassland is a regionally unique type of pine barrens only present in northeastern Wisconsin.

Spread Eagle Barrens has a unique combination of six different natural communities, which range from lowlands, where frost may occur at any time of year, to uplands, where bracken fern, Jack pines and other small trees dominate.

Because of the diversity of communities, this state natural area is home to an exceptional variety of plant and animal species, including several that are rare or threatened. Spread Eagle Barrens is owned by the DNR and We Energies.

The meeting will be held in person and virtually via Zoom. More information, including virtual registration, is available on the DNR’s online Meetings and Hearings calendar.