At the close of 2024 NEWLT proudly welcomed three new conservancies. They are special because they each prove that permanent land conservation takes time. There are many decisions for people to make in the process of preserving land. Family matters take time, and our process is designed to address the needs of the habitats and natural communities on the land. All agreements carefully crafted to capture each family’s needs because we know that our conservation easements will need to survive the test of time.
Goodman Sportsman Road Woods, 18 years
This is a legacy project for us. Meaning, this project was started over 18 years ago when Colleen Moore began working with NEWLT to conserve her woods. Spurred by a desire to curate the kind of wilderness that existed in northern Wisconsin prior to European settlement, Moore acquired the 80 acre property and has continued to care for the land despite relocating to far-off Montana for work.
It’s a special place, virtually untrammeled by design. Letting nature do its own thing is important to the dedicated landowner. And, in the relatively short window of ownership, even in the intervening years since NEWLT made early visits to this site, you can find notable differences. The forest has matured, and species that were not found 18 years ago thrive on the land today. Among those, are rare and beautiful plants that shelter amid the leaf litter. Large carnivores have returned. The Conservancy protects part of the territory for a local wolf pack.
As time goes on the forest will continue to mature, and someday, thanks to the vision of Moore, this land will once again stand amongst its neighbors as representative of what a forest can be when it’s left alone to grow.
Roaring Rapids Conservancy, 3 years
Roaring Rapids Conservancy protects 120 acres of land along the Peshtigo River where the rapids are so swift that you can find whitewater rafters negotiating the largest drop of the Peshtigo at Horserace Rapids. The nearly ¼ mile stretch of shoreline protected by the new Conservancy is lined with deeply shaded hemlock forest. The land is rich with different natural communities. Ten acres of cedar swamp provide an understory rich in fern. Species such as the one-flowered pyrola, bunchberry, American starflower, yellow blue-bead-lily, gaywings and Canada mayflower peak out among the mosses and lichens that abound on the forest floor.
Three years ago, when the Grenzow-Mauer family initially reached out to Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, we knew right away that this forested parcel was well worth conserving. Can you imagine what difference it would make if this land along this well-known river corridor was lost to development? We can. It’s happening all along the waterway. That’s why we were more than willing to devote three years to working to preserve this special place and the scenic beauty of the waterway for generations to come.
Silver Creek Kettles Conservancy, 3 years
Mature woods, numerous steep moraines, kettles, wetlands, sphagnum bog and a stream that connects adjacent McCaslin Lake to a pond on this property.
Nestled in the heart of Marinette County, Silver Creek Kettles Conservancy stands as a testament to the resilience of the land, a living, breathing sanctuary we’ve pledged to protect for generations to come. Spanning 184 acres, this preserve is a patchwork of diverse landscapes, where mature woodlands stretch their branches high, steep moraines rise dramatically against the horizon, and deep kettles quietly tell the tale of ancient geological shifts. The wetlands here are alive with the song of wildlife, and the sphagnum bog, a rare and precious ecosystem, adds its unique charm to this ecological haven.
The land pulses with life, especially as a stream winds its way through the preserve, linking McCaslin Lake to a tranquil pond on the property. This flowing water, symbolic of the connection between land and life, weaves together the many ecosystems that make this preserve so special. Whether it’s the vibrant wetlands or the quiet serenity of the woods, this Conservancy offers a glimpse into the natural world as it should be—wild, free, and forever protected. Each step taken here is a step toward a brighter future, where conservation and nature coexist in harmony, inspiring hope for both the land and all who walk its paths.
