West Wisconsin Land Trust is a private, nonprofit regional land trust in western Wisconsin. Founded as the Wisconsin Farmland Conservancy in 1988, our initial intent was to slow the loss of farms and farmland. In 1996, our mission expanded to include the conservation of all types of natural areas, including forests, wetlands, rivers and lakeshores, bluffs and prairies. In 2002, we officially changed our name to West Wisconsin Land Trust.

Through the generosity of our members, and collaboration with other local partners, West Wisconsin Land Trust conserves, restores, and manages land with high conservation value.

West Wisconsin Land Trust has adopted the Wisconsin Land Trust Statement of Principles, pledging to conduct our work under the highest professional standards, and in accordance with the Land Trust Alliance's Standards and Practices.

West Wisconsin Land Trust serves the following counties in western Wisconsin:
Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau, and Washburn.

Land trusts play a critical role in protecting Wisconsin's traditional farmland and scenic natural areas.

"The ability to conserve contiguous property is going to be vitally important to be sure Wisconsin hangs onto its diversity in the next fifty years." ~ Donald Waller, professor of botany and environmental studies at UW - Madison, speaking about the important work of Wisconsin land trusts

West Wisconsin Land Trust members make every aspect of our work possible! Together, we have permanently protected over 25,000 acres in western and northwestern Wisconsin.

What types of land are of interest to a land trust?

West Wisconsin Land Trust works with landowners, other conservation organizations and government agencies to protect:

• Natural Areas: Prairies, blufflands, forests, and other ecologically sensitive areas that are important as wildlife habitat.
• Wetlands, Streams, Lakes, And Rivers: Protection of these areas helps preserve water quality, waterfowl nesting habitat and shoreline areas, and support fish and other aquatic species.
• Working Forests: West Wisconsin Land Trust collaborates with private forest owners to help protect working forests.
• Scenic Or Unique Areas: Scenic views along rural roads or highways (such as The Great River Road), or unique natural features in or near a community are all part of our priceless landscape.
• Agricultural Land: Working farms, orchards, and cropland also have a place in the conservation landscape. West Wisconsin Land Trust works to protect land and facilitate agriculture in and around our cities and towns.

If you would like more information about West Wisconsin Land Trust's operations and finances, we are listed on the nation's premier nonprofit database. Please visit www.guidestar.org.