Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust - 2016 Land Trust of the Year
Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust has helped protect natural areas and water resources for the past 20 years. Guided by the mission to “preserve lands that protect our waters, landscapes, and natural habitats for this and future generations,” the Land Trust has helped conserve thousands of acres. By blending education, collaboration and outreach efforts with landowners, government agencies and conservation organizations, the Land Trust is ensuring that special places in Northeast Wisconsin will remain that way.
Guckenberg-Sturm Preserve – 48 protected acres in Winnebago County, purchased in 2005 by Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust.
“Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust recognizes that the first step toward protecting land is helping landowners learn about and build a relationship with their land,” says Katie Beilfuss, Outreach Program Director for Wisconsin Wetlands Association, “They take time to listen to landowners, focusing on meeting them where they are.”
The Land Trust has employed this principle during their engagement with wetland property owners on Green Bay. With assistance from other organizations, Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust has held workshops engaging landowners on how wetland and water areas interact and why each depends on the other being healthy to thrive. The Land Trust is using these efforts to increase conservation and enhance the health of Green Bay’s watershed.
“The Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust understands the bigger conservation picture,” says Joe Henry, Ecologist at the Department of Natural Resources, “We are very fortunate to have them as a partner in research, education and conservation efforts.”
Gilson Creek Preserve sign installation – 31 acres in Brown County protected by Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust
The Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust has protected over 30 miles of shoreline including trout streams, habitat for the dwarf lake iris and the Karner blue butterfly, and territory to support wildlife. Twenty-one of the Trust’s properties are Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Land Legacy Places–the most important places to meet Wisconsin’s future conservation and recreation needs.
All of us in Wisconsin and beyond are fortunate for the efforts of Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. Due to this reason, Gathering Waters is thrilled to honor the conservancy with the prestigious Land Trust of the Year award.