[4] Native species include; shagbark hickory, black cherry, red maple, white ash, swamp ash, sugar maple, swamp birch, American basswood, eastern cottonwood, river birch, swamp white oak, silver maple, and American elm.

The Fen features peat soil and sloping hills, complete with multiple types of sedges.

[8][9] The Vernon Wildlife Area was founded with the intent to create public hunting grounds in Waukesha, and as such the WDNR has made keeping game populations steady a focal point of their preservation efforts.

Opportunities for hunting and trapping of mourning doves, deer, ring-necked pheasant, and turkey are available.

[10][11] Fishing is also a popular activity according to the WDNR, with the Mill Brook (a passively managed Class 2 trout stream classed as an Exceptional Resource Water by the WDNR) being a key access point for trout fishing.