What's New

Wetland Habitat Preserved for Superior Schoolchildren

Menomonie, WI, April 28, 2008: Superior native Minerva Makela donated nearly four acres of quality wetland to West Wisconsin Land Trust, shortly before her death in March 2008. At Makela’s request, West Wisconsin Land Trust transferred the donated property to the School District of Superior. Makela’s property, which is ranked high for floral diversity and wildlife by the Department of Natural Resources, is adjacent to Superior Middle School, and will be used for wetland education. “She really wanted the land to go to the school," offered Norma Holstrom, Minerva’s sister.

"Mrs. Makela’s action came at the right time for our students," explained Superior Middle School Principal Richard Flaherty. "When the Superior Middle School was built, a condition of the permit was to educate the students in wetland functions and values to the Superior community. What better opportunity than to have the students experience the values of the very wetland that serves the school’s runoff water?"

National Environmental Education Week Leads into Earth Day

Menomonie, WI, April 13, 2008: Governor Doyle has proclaimed the week of April 13-19 as National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) in Wisconsin. EE Week will increase the educational impact of Earth Day by promoting a full week of environmental educational activities in classrooms, nature centers, parks, zoos, and museums.

The West Wisconsin Land Trust has been providing fun, free environmental education opportunities for schools, families and community groups since 2005. Recently, two educators from WWLT and volunteers from the Menomonie area worked with the Menomonie School district to teach over 200 4th graders about making maple syrup. Physical education was involved as the 4th graders hiked nearly a half-mile and climbed a hill. Once there, the subject changed to math as students figured out the percentage of sugar in the sap, and how many gallons of sap were needed to make one quart of syrup. Science was also studied as students saw how gravity can be used to collect sap, and how a slope’s facing relative to the sun affects sap output.

Tree Farmer nominated for 2008 Leopold Conservation Award

Menomonie, WI, April 8, 2008: The Sand County Foundation and the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association recently announced that Steven Thaler of Chippewa Falls is among eleven nominees for the 2008 Leopold Conservation Award in Wisconsin. The winner will receive the award, including a $10,000 check and a crystal rendering of Aldo Leopold, from the Sand County Foundation at The Great Lakes Forest Alliance Conference in June 2008.

The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes private landowners’ commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and management of their land. Rick Remington, land program director of West Wisconsin Land Trust, nominated Thaler for the conservation award. West Wisconsin Land Trust has worked with Thaler on 21 of his properties, to permanently preserve more than 3,000 acres of woodlands in eight counties over the past seven years. Thaler owns land in Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson and Trempealeau counties.

Storm Damage Clean Up At Red Cedar Cut-off

Menomonie, WI, February 26, 2008: In 2007, West Wisconsin Land Trust purchased the Red Cedar Cut-Off property with the assistance of the greater Dunn County conservation community as well as other partner organizations and funding sources. While the property is open to the general public for fishing, hunting, hiking, birding and other light recreational uses, West Wisconsin Land Trust advises public users to be aware of ongoing timber management operations throughout the months of March and April.

West Wisconsin Land Trust is currently planning to conduct storm damage clean-up operations on the Cut-Off property beginning in March 2008. During two severe storms last August, high winds inflicted significant damage to the forest by uprooting trees and snapping off tree crowns. The timber salvage operations will remove storm-damaged trees as well as diseased and decaying trees. The harvest will accelerate succession of the forest and push the forest condition towards a mixed-aged character, leaving large diameter trees to act as a seed source for newly released hardwood seedlings. Standing snags and cavity trees will be left for wildlife benefit. Future management may also include tree planting and exotic species removal. The resulting forest will be more conducive to public access, and provide ideal habitat for a host of wildlife species.

Northern Lakes Land Preservation Agreements Signed

Menomonie, WI, February 22, 2008: West Wisconsin Land Trust has completed three new land protection agreements in Washburn County and the Birchwood Lakes region. Each of the three projects resulted in the donation of a conservation agreement by the landowners, and will protect the properties in perpetuity from subdivision and development.

Chuck and Judy Aldrian have completed the third in a series of agreements on their 310 acres in western Sawyer County. Seven wild lakes scattered throughout the kettle topography of the region characterize the property. “ The diversity of the forest on this property is striking," explained Rick Remington, land program director of West Wisconsin Land Trust. “It was important to the Aldrians that the forest have an opportunity to reach maturity. The conservation agreement allows for buffering of the wild lakes and growth of forest habitat, resulting in water quality protection in the greater watershed.

Robert and Judy Gillette have protected 120 acres at the north end of the Birchwood Lakes area of the Washburn County Forest. “The surrounding Washburn County Forest has been designated as a Wilderness Area for the county," said Jane Anklam, project specialist for the WWLT Land Program. “The Chippewa Lobe of the Wisconsin Glaciation left behind a beautiful and diverse landscape in this area, such as the wild lake and rolling forestland on the Gillette property. Thirteen hundred feet of shoreline on Loyhead Lake is now protected."

In the north central part of Washburn County, Harvey and Jeanne Radke have added to a land protection agreement that was begun in 2005. The new addition brings the total land protected to 145 acres. The property includes a second wild seepage lake. “ With increased development pressure on all landscapes, we think it is only responsible to place permanent protection on the wild and quiet places," explained Harvey Radke.

Town of Union Protects Sherman Creek Park

Menomonie, WI, February 20, 2008: The Town of Union in Eau Claire County has permanently protected Sherman Creek Park through a conservation agreement with the West Wisconsin Land Trust. The 30-acre natural area, which lies between Interstate 94 and Clairemont Avenue, adjacent to Eau Claire’s rapidly- developing west side.

In its support of the agreement, the Town Board stated, "We want to ensure future generations that this park will not only be available for forestry, recreation and open spaces, but be maintained in a manner that will enhance air and water quality." The board noted that youth groups frequently visit the park for environmental education and conservation projects. These groups included a high school ecology club that marked trails and identified trees and grasses, and Boy Scout troops that maintained the bridges and trails.

The conservation agreement with the Town of Union represents the first such agreement between the West Wisconsin Land Trust and a town board. “We receive numerous calls from town boards, villages and park committees interested in acquiring and protecting open space and parkland within their communities," noted Rick Gauger, executive director of West Wisconsin Land Trust. "The Town of Union stands as a shining example of one municipality’s commitment to safeguard their existing parklands as they look to the future."