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Volunteers and Tall Pines Conservancy staff working on a new trail at Saeger Creek Preserve

A new trail makes Saeger Creek Preserve more accessible!

April 21, 2025  |  Topics: Places

By Jessica Mysliwski

Photographs by Eddee Daniel

Saeger Creek Preserve is a 76.1-acre property that is valued both for its ecological importance and for the community it fosters. Originally, the Village of Lac La Belle approached Tall Pines Conservancy (TPC) to place a conservation easement on the property, but it was ultimately decided to sell the property to TPC in the summer of 2024. The property contains a variety of ecosystems including Saeger Creek which flows into Lac La Belle. 

The new trail will stretch around this scenic pond.
The new trail will stretch around this scenic pond.

Restoring the ecological integrity of the property is one of the land management goals of TPC. A few ancient oak trees remain on the property, with one being upwards of 250 years old. Oaks have historically played a crucial role on the landscape of this property and the surrounding area by providing essential habitat and food for birds and insects.

Volunteers creating the new trail around the 250-year-old oak that dwarfs the rest of the forest.
Volunteers creating the new trail around the 250-year-old oak that dwarfs the rest of the forest.

Due to fire suppression and the onset of invasive species, the oaks on this property have been choked out, both by the overgrowth of native trees that are not fire-resistant and by invasive buckthorn, a non-native shrub that outcompetes the lower, sprawling branches of oak saplings. Volunteers have come out to the property to help remove buckthorn, giving these beautiful trees the space they need to flourish. Other ecological restoration projects in mind for Saeger Creek include native seeding and stream restoration.  

Unlike the oaks, much of the new growth is either invasive or not fire-resistant.
Unlike the oaks, much of the new growth is either invasive or not fire-resistant.

Arguably the most anticipated project for this preserve is the creation of a publicly accessible trail. When complete, the loop trail will traverse through 1.5 miles of the property, winding through woodlands, past a majestic oak tree and around wetlands. The parking lot and trailhead will be located on Lang Road, just east of Saeger Road. 

A volunteer rakes debris off the new trail.
A volunteer rakes debris off the new trail.

Volunteers and staff broke ground for the trail on Saturday, April 12th. Most volunteers were neighbors of the property. They expressed their excitement for the protection of this property and the development of the trail. The amount of community support for this property is truly what makes the Saeger Creek Preserve so special. In today’s world, many have lost their connection with the land and the sense of community that comes along with it; however, these community members are proving that the links between the land and each other still exist and can continue to grow. 

Outflow from the pond replenishes the adjacent wetland.
Outflow from the pond replenishes the adjacent wetland.

The community surrounding this preserve is a significant reason for its protection. So many people wanted to see this property protected for the wildlife that reside there, water quality, the beauty it brings, and the opportunity it has to connect people to nature. The push from community members helped guide TPC’s approach to protecting it for today and future generations. 

Land Protection Manager Paul Meuer clears leaves from the path of the new trail.
Jessica Mysliwski uses a rotary saw to clear small trees in the way of the new trail.
Tall Pines Executive Director Becky Fedak (foreground) clearing a stump from the new trail.
Tall Pines Executive Director Becky Fedak (foreground) clearing a stump from the new trail.
Edge of the wetland.
Edge of the wetland.
Broken concrete slabs are used to buttress the trail on a slope.
Broken concrete slabs are used to buttress the trail on a slope.
Once complete, the loop trail will traverse through 1.5 miles of the property.
Once complete, the loop trail will traverse through 1.5 miles of the property.
A kaleidoscopic view of the pond.
A kaleidoscopic view of the pond.
The trail will allow visitors to explore the many different habitats that are featured within the Saeger Creek Preserve.
The trail will allow visitors to explore the many different habitats that are featured within the Saeger Creek Preserve.
A volunteer clears the path near the wetland.
A volunteer clears the path near the wetland.
Saeger Creek neighbor Chris and his companion Simba inaugurate the new trail even before it is complete!
Saeger Creek neighbor Chris and his companion Simba inaugurate the new trail even before it is complete!

Related stories:

Re-meandering Mason Creek (Tall Pines Conservancy)

Oconomowoc River Conservancy Park and Healing Nature (Tall Pines Conservancy)

Trailblazers aim to bring nature back to Milwaukee’s 30th Street Corridor neighborhood (Trail building)

The Ice Age Trail – Waterville Segment to be improved! (Trail building)

New trail connects Lincoln and Estabrook Parks (Trail building)

Jessica Mysliwski is Stewardship Coordinator for Tall Pines Conservancy. Eddee Daniel is a board member of Preserve Our Parks. Tall Pines Conservancy is a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.

One thought on "A new trail makes Saeger Creek Preserve more accessible!"

  1. Rose Burns says:
    May 3, 2025 at 10:44 am

    We are neighbors just north of the new preserve and could not be more delighted to see the majestic oak freed from the buckthorn! Thank you for providing more information about the plans in store for this beautiful and important area. We are forever grateful! Nice picture of our next door neighbor!

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