UW-Waukesha Field Station

From Cornfield to Prairie

Working at the Field Station In 1967, Miss Gertrude Sherman donated a 92-acre farm to the University of Wisconsin with the intention that the land be maintained in a natural condition. She later contributed an additional six acres, including access to a small lake. The last crop of corn was taken off the land in 1967. After 125 years of farming, the land is being retired to grow native plants. The UW-Waukesha is restoring the acreage to communities of plants and animals native to Wisconsin.

Location

The Field Station is situated in the western part of Waukesha County near the Village of Waterville. It is easily accessible to the Waukesha campus via Highway 18, nine miles west to the junction of Waterville Road, then south .4 mile to a gravel driveway on the left.

Natural Features and Restoration Activities

Aerial Shot of Field Station The Field Station consists of rolling glacial deposits covered with old field vegetation, a 20 acre oak woods, a small lake with marshlands, a shallow pond and cold water stream. A farm house and out buildings are maintained by the resident manager.

The University's expressed purpose in planning the facility is to create a diverse pattern of natural communities for maximum teaching value. Examples of these communities are prairie, oak openings, oak forest, pine forest, and open meadow. It is anticipated that plantings for these communities will continue for several human generations. The facility, however, is already showing signs of progress as the diversity of plants and animals increases each year. A 30 by 16 foot greenhouse on the site is used for propagating wild plants, which are later transplanted to their appropriate plant community.

Facility Utilization

College courses in the natural sciences are particularly attracted to the facility, but it is available to any other interested discipline. Students wishing to do independent study at the Field Station are encouraged to do so. Other users include the University Extension, local bird clubs, high-school classes and teachers, as well as individuals who simply desire a quiet place to appreciate nature.

Administration

The Field Station is owned by the University of Wisconsin with administrative duties delegated to the UW-Waukesha. A local campus Field Station Committee advises the Dean of the campus concerning administrative policy and financial matters. Anyone interested in visiting the Field Station or using it for educational purposes is encouraged to contact the resident manager.

Resident Manager

Marlin Johnson
1234 S. Waterville Road
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066
Phone: (262) 965-2227

UW-Waukesha
1500 N. University Drive
Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188
Phone: (262) 521-5495

Rules

No unauthorized collecting of plants or animals.
No picnicking.
No firearms allowed.
No hunting or unauthorized trapping.
No unauthorized fires.
No unauthorized vehicles on trails.
Groups must have a responsible adult supervisor.
The University is not responsible for accidents.

WOOD KILN CONSTRUCTION

Clay Pots Outside the Kiln According to the schedule of classes, ART 291 was over July 25, 1997. But students who had signed up for "Ceramics Workshop: Wood-Fired Kiln Construction" last summer at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha had "an opportunity to be a part of history." Marnie Elbaum, the former owner of Marnie's Pottery on the East Side of Milwaukee, joined the class "for my heart and soul. It is an inspirational experience." Andy Torzala, who graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in photography, "jumped at the chance" to participate. He has photographically documented its progress.

"This is really kind of historical. It is hard labor — really intense, but there is a lot of information invested in the work," says Deborah Rael-Buckley, a graduate student in art history.

The project was conceived, designed, and spearheaded by Christopher Davis-Benavides with details and modifications worked out in the field (literally, since the kiln was built at the UW-Waukesha Field Station, a 98-acre outdoor resource). He and Jeff Noska, owner of Composite Clay Studio, Dousman, oversaw the project.

It was modeled after the ancient Japanese Anagama kiln, which went out of fashion in the early 17th century after several centuries of service in such places as Korea and Japan. Replacing it, the Noborigama kiln provided the predictability and consistency needed for success in a production environment. But in the 1960's, the Anagama experienced a revival. Its low-tech process glazed more ash into the pottery, creating different but pleasing effects. Much was lost, however, in the years that the Anagama had been out of use, so that potters firing up this kind of kiln now must relearn how best to do it. Each kiln is unique and requires the development of individual techniques for using it.

"Ninety percent of the glazing comes from the wood fire on clay," explained Jeff Noska, who is both a professional potter and a volunteer for the kiln project. During construction, he likened the unadorned wood frame to a boat. According to the tradition of the Anagama, it has to be built into a hill. That way steps within the kiln place pottery in different relationships to the fire, which exposes it to varying amounts of ash. Temperatures inside reach approximately 2300 degrees Fahrenheit.

All involved appreciate how rarely kilns of this nature are constructed and wanted to learn by doing. Battling bugs, they built concrete footings and wood frames, cleaned and laid bricks (a total of eight thousand), dug tunnel vents, and covered the structure, which looks like a sleeping mastodon, with a special kind of cement. Sara Saporito, an art therapy student, found her own therapy in cleaning bricks and cutting them with diamond edges. By the end of summer, she could perform like a professional.

Above the monster, they erected a metal canopy to protect their work. With dedicated commitment, the students donated their weekends and off hours to the project as well.

Students' work — bowls, vases, sculptures, and relief pieces — had patiently waited much of the summer in the Field Station barn. The firing lasted 5 days and used 4 1/2 cords of wood to reach cone 10. The kiln was held between 2350 and 2470 degrees for a period of 9 hours. It took several days for the kiln to cool down. Over 700 clay pieces were fired with very few casualties. The work was a success!