Wisconsin Family Secures Conservation Easement for 1,800-Acre Forest
A Wisconsin family will maintain ownership of nearly 1,800 acres of forest while a $1.6 million conservation easement blocks development and opens almost 1,500 acres for public activities such as hiking, hunting, and fishing. This agreement aims to protect the land from nearby development pressures and preserve its natural resources.
A significant conservation easement deal in Wisconsin will allow a family to retain ownership and management of nearly 1,800 acres of forest in Langlade County while simultaneously blocking any future development. The proposed $1.6 million agreement will not only protect the land from encroaching development but also facilitate ongoing timber production. Nearly 1,500 acres of this forest will be opened to the public for recreational activities, including hiking, hunting, and fishing.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is moving forward with the easement from Braun Woodlands II, LLC and the Frederic H.T. Braun Grandchildren Irrevocable Trust. The DNR's request for the easement was recently approved by the state’s Natural Resources Board. Funding for the deal will come from a combination of state and federal sources, along with a planned contribution from the Ice Age Trail Alliance.
The conservation easement is particularly vital as the forest faces increasing pressure from nearby development. Ron Gropp, the DNR’s forest legacy program coordinator, noted that the Braun family recognized the need to protect the property in light of the surrounding growth. "They see the threat going all around them, and they just really feel deeply about this property being protected," Gropp stated.
The forest encompasses diverse ecosystems, including northern mixed hardwood, forested wetlands, and meadows. Under the proposed easement, while almost 1,500 acres will be accessible to the public, a portion of the land will remain closed to public access. This arrangement allows the Braun family to continue their timber management practices while ensuring the preservation of the land's ecological integrity.
Funding and Trail Enhancements Ahead
The DNR plans to allocate $1.6 million for the easement, with approximately $1.3 million sourced from a federal grant and Wisconsin’s Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program. Although the Stewardship Program expired in June, the DNR confirmed that funding for this project had been secured prior to its expiration. The final funding arrangement still hinges on the approval of a federal Forest Legacy grant from the U.S. Forest Service, with a decision expected early next year.
Additionally, the easement will safeguard over a mile of the existing Ice Age National Scenic Trail, with plans for the Ice Age Trail Alliance to add another two miles within the property. This collaboration not only enhances public access to the trail but also supports the local timber industry, as wood products from the property are supplied to a nearby manufacturing plant.
Sport-Specific Culture Insights
Local support for the conservation easement is robust, with resolutions passed by the towns of Evergreen and Polar, the Langlade County Board of Supervisors, and the Menominee Indian Tribe endorsing the initiative. This project exemplifies a successful partnership between private landowners, state agencies, and conservation organizations, ensuring that the forest remains a vital resource for both the environment and the community.
The Braun family's commitment to sustainable land management and conservation will leave a lasting legacy, balancing the needs of timber production with public access and ecological preservation.
