On Friday, February 21st, Groundswell purchased 42 acres of wetlands at Lake Mills Wildlife Area in Jefferson County. Now this land will be protected forever. That means more wildlife habitat, better water quality, and increased public access.
Land protection can take a long time. It also takes commitment from a willing landowner to see it through. Marilyn Trieloff and her sons worked with Groundswell for many years to protect this land for future generations. But as David Trieloff, one of Marilyn’s sons, put it, “We knew this was the right thing to do.” We’re thrilled by their decision to leave a land legacy!
“We are deeply grateful to Groundswell Conservancy and to the Trieloff family for their ongoing support and hard work on improving access to Marsh Lake in Lake Mills. Their dedication, along with generous contributions from our many sponsors, is helping us move closer to making this project a reality. There’s still so much to do, but we’re extremely excited for the new access to this beautiful area.”
– Kevin Wiesmann, Director, Jefferson County Parks
The Trieloff Addition to Lake Mills Wildlife Area offers habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, and other wildlife. This habitat is important for migratory species that depend on large, protected areas for feeding and resting during their long journeys.
Protecting this land is great for public access, too. Partnering with Groundswell, Jefferson County plans to redevelop a small part of the property. These plans include putting in better parking facilities and easier access for canoeing and kayaking. When that’s done, the property will be donated to Wisconsin DNR and opened for outdoor activities like paddling, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
“This project would not have been possible without the commitment of the Trieloff family, Groundswell Conservancy, and Jefferson County Parks. We look forward to further recreational development of the site to make it more accessible for paddle sports and other activities, and for the public opening!”
– Rachel Barker, DNR Wildlife Biologist
As we gathered around the table at the closing last Friday, David Trieloff shared some memories about the property. For example, David’s grandmother used to spend countless hours fishing on the lake in their small boat. When it was time to go home, David’s grandfather called her in by ringing a large bell mounted on a pole along the shore. Now David is grateful that others will have the chance to create their own memories there.
Groundswell would like to thank the Jefferson County Parks Department, Lake Mills Area Community Foundation, Wisconsin DNR, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their important financial and practical help on this project.
This conservation success wouldn’t have happened without Groundswell’s supporters. Thank you for helping protect this special place forever!