Our story

It started in 2006 when I purchased 2.5 acres with cabins situated along 280 feet of Lake Michigan Shore in Ozaukee County and spent the summers there with my then 3-year-old granddaughter Ella.  In 2013, I bought 28 acres of farmland and wetlands/woodland that abutted my property to the west (and an additional 8 acres adjoining the north end in 2016). I was interested in returning the land to the way it was before it was farmed.

It’s been a wonderful project – fun and interesting and challenging. The land had been 12 acres of corn for many years, managed by a dairy farm down the road, along with wetlands and woodland below the 20-foot bluff. With the help of many gifted professionals, a process was started to remove the invasive bush honeysuckle that had grown into a 6-foot-high thicket in the woodland.  Then the removal of thousands of dead ash trees was started due to the emerald ash borer infestation.  At the same time, grasses were planted on the old corn field and mowed for hay by a local horse owner.

Since 2017, Native Niche LLC initially focused on managing the property's honeysuckle invasion and other invasive species. Over time, their efforts have expanded beyond invasive species control, evolving into a comprehensive ecological restoration initiative, partnering with Great Lakes Ecological Services LLC in 2019 to expand planning to wildlife. Our work now includes wildlife surveys, wetland expansions, large-scale tree plantings, dune reconstruction in two areas, targeted goat grazing, extensive ash tree removal, and reforestation efforts.

Over the years, hundreds of native trees, shrubs and plants have been added (and protected from the prolific deer in the area).  Chokeberry, button bush, hazelnut, river birch, mountain maple, witch hazel, tamarack, swamp white oak, sugar maple, elderberry, serviceberry, white cedar as well as joe pye weed, purple prairie clover, milkweed, boneset, coneflower, downy mint, mountain mint, and many, many others. 

In 2019-2020, a Breeding Bird Survey was completed where they found 87 species utilizing the area in June, the month when mostly resident breeding individuals are present. Of these, 39 were likely resident breeders based on their length of stay and activity levels. Highlights were the presence of 12 declining species, and 7 state listed species. Most species were associated with Forest and Open Woodlands habitat, and to a lesser extent Grassland, Marsh and Scrub. Brown Thrasher, Mourning Warbler and Wood Thrush were notable Species of Local Conservation Interest (SLCI) currently present as likely breeders. A fair number of other SLCI were also present but of uncertain breeding status, including Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue-winged Warbler, Canada Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Chimney Swift, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Golden-winged Warbler, Green Heron, Hooded Warbler, Least Flycatcher, Red-headed Woodpecker and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Several of these may respond well to habitat restoration and become better established at the Preserve.

That same time period, a bat survey was completed.  Five species of bats were found utilizing the Preserve during the maternity season: Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat, Hoary Bat, Little Brown Bat, and Silver-haired Bat. Big Brown Bat and Little Brown Bat are State Threatened Species, Silver-haired Bat is State Special Concern, and Hoary Bat is considered uncommon statewide. Big Brown Bat was the most abundant species, and Silver-haired Bat the least common. The wooded ravine was favored by Little Brown and Eastern Red bats, while the remaining species were more often encountered in the lower and upper meadow habitats.

Also in 2019, a botanical, lichen and butterfly survey was completed.  Despite a very high level of human impacts on the property over the decades, moderately high levels of biodiversity persist including an impressive array of natural communities. One Special Concern bumblebee, one Threatened sedge, and a Special Concern tree were found. Two species of cryptic lichens were also found for the first time in Wisconsin. Four areas were identified as ecologically significant for their botanical diversity, and it was recommended that restoration efforts prioritize restoring these unique areas. Restoration of the former wetland and old agricultural field on the upper terrace with native prairie plants would also greatly improve habitat for pollinators and other insects, as well as the birds, frogs, bats, and other creatures that feed upon them.  The senior author recorded 285 species of plants on the property, 215 of which were native, and 70 species were non-native. Lichen surveys found 26 species. On insect surveys, 11 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 14 species of butterflies and skippers, 3 bumblebee species, and 1 tiger beetle species were found. 

On the upper terrace, a 2021 project consisting of restoring 2.5 acres of wetlands for migratory birds was created.  Benefits to birds include improved pairing, nesting and brood rearing habitat and increased foraging opportunities by restoring hydrology through tile line disablement and small berm. 

In 2022, data was collected for 6 assessment areas:  the Hardwood Forest Ravine in the northwest corner of the property, the Bluff Lake Plain Forest that includes the stairs and observation deck and continues south, the Meadow in the center of the main parcel, the Coastal Swale wetlands which extend from the boardwalk and continue south, the Birch Woods which separate the Coastal Swale and the Meadow, and the isolated Dune Swale north of the rest of the preserve.

Beaver Dam Analogs were installed in 2025 to mimic the functionality of natural beaver dams. Beavers have been extirpated from the project Site area and our intent is not to attract beavers to the Site.  Beaver Dam Analogs are used to help restore hydrologic function and encourage recovery/expansion of riparian and wetland vegetation in degraded stream channels with infrequent floodplain access and reduced wetland vegetation due to lack of inundation or low water table. These structures can accelerate the recovery of incised streams and riparian and wet meadow habitats by reducing water velocities, increasing sediment deposition, initiating aggradation, enhancing floodplain connectivity, raising groundwater tables, and recovering/expanding riparian and wetland vegetation.

Firefly Farm has seen significant changes these past few years, in its topography, plant and wildlife communities, and hydrology through large-scale woody plant removal and earthmoving projects.  Remarkable ecological shifts are taking place across the property. With minimal intervention and careful monitoring, these changes are proving more successful each year.

Wildlife use of the upper pond increased significantly, with two new species of frogs breeding. This is due to both the longer hydroperiod now established, and the improvements to the native plant communities. Bird response around this pond and the reforestation plot has also exploded, especially for Tree Swallow, Eastern Kingbird, Song, Field, and Savannah Sparrows, and shorebirds such as Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper. No formal surveys have been done yet, but substantially more dragonflies and damselflies have been noticed, undoubtedly part of the reason for increased bird and bat activity.

Species such as aspen, hawthorn, and oak are steadily establishing themselves in areas like the goat units and along the boardwalk. In other areas where honeysuckle has been absent for several years, new plant communities are naturally emerging. A horse chestnut (buckeye) seedling was discovered and protected on the north side of the property, a small demonstration of the power of natural regeneration. Another example are balsam poplars near the west end of the boardwalk. By simply caging regularly browsed species that have voluntarily sprouted, we are fostering early-stage biodiversity growth and giving these plants a head start. Many of the planted trees and shrubs are now thriving to the point where protective cages could be removed. Trees that began as small seedlings have grown beyond our expectations; many of the first sugar maples planted along the bluff near the stairs now stand over five feet tall and one oak near the meadow is over twice that height. Combined with natural colonization of paper birch, aspen, dogwoods and many other species, reforestation after the loss of ash is on a good trajectory. species management has also seen remarkable progress. Populations of Canada thistle and garlic mustard are at their lowest, with native plants naturally reclaiming these spaces thanks to the seeds we have introduced into disturbed areas over the years and also natural colonization and spread. Spaces that were dominated by reed canary grass are now characterized by native blue joint grass, water parsnip, sedges, rushes, and rice cut grass.

In the coming years the goal is to shift focus. Although essential, efforts controlling specific target weeds would shift toward preserving what becomes established through large scale restoration projects. As habitats stabilize following installation and other major changes, management tasks and activities would center around monitoring past work areas and maintaining each space in ways specific to their development

It is with much gratitude and love that I share what is happening here on Firefly Farms in hopes of encouraging others to do habitat restoration on their properties for the enjoyment of the critters that we share this planet with.

Deborah Kern

April 22, 2026

Much of this article was taken from the surveys and reports of Dr. Gary Casper, Jamie Sue Beaupre and Clayton Frazer.