Groundswell Conservancy, along with Alan and Carol Breed and the Town of Dunn, has made sure that over 48 acres of land near the Yahara River will be protected forever. The Breeds have lived on this land, located on East Dyreson Road, for 25 years.

“Given our deep ties to the town and the land’s rich cultural and natural resources, protecting it with a conservation easement was a meaningful step in our mission to advance local conservation,” Groundswell Conservancy Executive Director Heidi Habeger said. “We protect special places forever, and the land Alan and Carol have carefully stewarded over the years is special in more ways than one.”

The Yahara River curves around the north and east parts of the land for about half a mile as it flows south from Mud Lake. People paddling on the river will always be able to enjoy the view of this peaceful and natural area.

Even though the land isn’t open to the public, it can still be seen from the Dane County-managed Lower Mud Lake Natural Resources Area, which is right across the river. Alan and Carol Breed will continue to own and farm the land. The soil on the property is great for farming. This land becomes even more important as more rural places are developed.

“This property is remarkable for its agricultural, environmental, and historical significance,” said Ben Kollenbroich, who helped lead the project as the Town of Dunn’s former land use and conservation manager. “Thank you so much to the Breeds for wanting to ensure that this property is protected forever. and that it remains an agricultural, environmental, and historical treasure.”

The money to protect the land came from several sources: the Dane County Conservation Fund, the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, the Town of Dunn’s Purchase of Development Rights Program, and Groundswell’s supporters. Since 1997, Groundswell and the Town of Dunn have worked together to protect over 4,000 acres of farmland and wetlands.

Groundswell Conservancy has protected its first land in the Town of Dunkirk, closing on the Brehm Quayle Conservation Easement that will permanently preserve 175 acres of wetlands and rewilded farm fields near the Yahara River.

The property’s owner, Joyce Brehm, joined Groundswell staff and Town of Dunkirk officials for the closing on Friday, March 28. With the final signatures, her property along County Highway N south of Stoughton will remain a special place forever and contribute towards Groundswell’s goals of acting on the climate crisis.

The land is bordered by wetlands. They act as a natural sponge that protects local communities from flooding. One of the ways Wisconsin is feeling the effects of climate change is through heavier rainfall.

The state has already lost nearly half of its wetlands. This easement will ensure those on Brehm’s property remain intact for the betterment of people living nearby and the animals, plants and insects that make the wetlands their home.

The easement will also protect the Yahara River which flows just across Highway N from Brehm’s property. The runoff drains into the river, carrying whatever pollutants it might pick up along the way.

This conservation easement is the first of many in a partnership between Groundswell and the Town of Dunkirk. In the coming months and years, Groundswell and the town expect to close on many more easements in the community as part of long-term land use planning in the area.

Funding for this easement acquisition came from the Town of Dunkirk, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant, and supporters of Groundswell Conservancy. Special thanks to Ducks Unlimited for their partnership in obtaining the NAWCA grant.

On Friday, February 21^st, 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!

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.

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!

We’re excited to share another big conservation win! Thanks to the visionary efforts of Brian and Renee Bjugstad, last month we successfully secured a conservation easement on 189 acres of prime farmland near the Footville State Wildlife Area in Rock County.

This easement ensures the land will remain undeveloped, preserving it for farming while also allowing public access for hunting, hiking, and other nature-based outdoor activities.

For Brian and Renee Bjugstad, protecting the farmland is very personal. They said, “We want to continue to pass the love of farming down to future generations. This easement deal has brought back some fantastic memories…We want to continue telling these farming stories while adding ours in, too. Let’s keep this agricultural land preserved along with the history of stories embedded into the soil that’s being planted, cared for, and harvested year after year.”

Luke Roffler, Grant Manager for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, celebrated this success, sharing, “We are very excited to partner on this project. Groundswell, the Bjugstad family, and so many other partners have been stacking success to provide significant conservation and public access acreage across the Evansville area. Their combined efforts have built a legacy of public outdoor recreation opportunities that is beyond impressive.”

Andrew Baker, Director of Land Conservation in Rock County, added, “On behalf of the County of Rock, including the PACE Council and the Land Conservation Committee, we are very appreciative of the Bjugstads’ willingness to make a commitment to the preservation of farmland in Rock County.” The County’s Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) program has been important in protecting farmland in the area. This partnership shows how working together can help save valuable farmland.

Brian Buenzow, from the Rock River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, said, “Habitat development and permanent public access has been Pheasants Forever’s mission since it started in 1982. The Rock River Valley Chapter is thrilled to support this effort.” Their support highlights how many different organizations are coming together to make sure this land is protected for the long term.

Angie Doucette from American Farmland Trust shared, “The U.S. loses 2,000 acres of farmland daily, endangering food security, rural communities, and the environment. The Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership is working to save the land that sustains us. Thanks to Groundswell Conservancy and the Bjugstad family, 189 acres of Wisconsin farmland are now permanently protected, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Funding for this project came from the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) by way of American Farmland Trust, the state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and the Rock River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever. In addition, Groundswell’s generous supporters helped make this possible.

We would like to express a heartfelt thank you to our partners quoted above and a special shoutout to Mike Foy, Land Protection Volunteer at Groundswell. Mike led this land protection deal for Groundswell and played a key role in bringing these partners together. Thank you!

The Bjugstad farm is located between Evansville and Janesville in Rock County. This June, Groundswell received a $492,900 grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to help fund an easement on the farm.

This 189-acre easement will permanently protect prime farmland while keeping the farm ownership in Brian and Renee Bjugstad’s family.

In 2020, Groundswell worked with Brian’s parents, Oscar and Norma Bjugstad, to protect their farm. Now, we have the chance to help Brian and his wife Renee protect their farm for future generations.

The Bjugstad easement will support Rock County agriculture and the local economy. It will also protect wildlife habitat and provide public access for outdoor activities like hunting, trapping, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

Additional funds for this project come from the Bjugstad family, the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program, American Farmland Trust, the Rock County Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) program, and the Rock River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever.

We’re thrilled to share the good news that the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program awarded the Town of Westport a grant of $812,100 to support the purchase of a prized property on the northside of Lake Mendota.

Groundswell protected this special place, once slated for development, in December 2022. Since then, we continued to work with the Town of Westport and Gathering Waters to secure additional funding for this large purchase through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Our request for funding was approved last week.

A mix of grassland, wetlands, and oak woods, the land is an important part of the Lake Mendota watershed. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife. It also provides essential outdoor recreation space for the community.

Protecting special places is always a team effort. We are grateful to Steve and Marianne Schlecht and the citizens of the Town of Westport for their support.  A special thanks to Senator Dianne Hesselbein and Representative Alex Joers for championing this grant. Thank you to Governor Tony Evers for making the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program a priority.

And thank you to our Groundswell supporters for caring about conservation where you live.

We are happy to share the good news that last week Groundswell purchased 20 acres of wetlands in southern Columbia County. We are grateful to the Bredeson family for their interest in conservation.

The property lies within the Anderson Waterfowl Production Area (WPA). Anderson is one of thirteen WPAs in Columbia County. These areas spread across 13,000 acres of land and water in Columbia County. They are managed as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System for ducks, geese, and other waterfowl.  They also provide important habitat for other wildlife.

This property is open for hunting, fishing, and trapping (subject to applicable Federal and State laws). It is also open to hiking, cross country skiing, and observation. Groundswell will donate the property to the Fish and Wildlife Service for long-term ownership and management.

Funding to purchase the property came from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and Groundswell supporters.  Thanks to Ducks Unlimited for its role in securing the federal acquisition funds.

We’ve accomplished so much together these past four decades. From our first land purchase in 1991 (protecting wetlands at Cherokee Marsh) to being the first nonprofit approved for a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grant in 1993, we’ve come a long way. Here are just a few measures of how the tiny seed that was planted back in 1983 has grown. Learn more by visiting our history page on our website.

Protecting special places forever is always a team effort. We recently had the pleasure of teaming up with The Prairie Enthusiasts, along with two conservation-minded landowners, to help protect 40 acres of land in the Wisconsin River Valley.

When Wisconsinites think of their landscapes, they rarely envision sandy areas where cacti could thrive. So, it may be surprising to learn that within the Wisconsin River Valley, such an ecosystem has survived the changes of the last century and is now permanently protected by The Prairie Enthusiasts.

With the help of Groundswell, this 40-acre parcel, now named Giordano Oak Barrens and Sand Prairie, was donated to The Prairie Enthusiasts by Ron and Darla Giordano on May 16, 2023. Groundswell led negotiations with the owners, made arrangements for the closing, and helped cover costs associated with the closing. With the help in part from a generous donation provided by the Giordanos to support initial management of the site, The Prairie Enthusiasts can now ensure the continued vitality of this area.

“We are excited to be helping the Giordanos fulfill their dream of seeing this site be preserved and restored as a natural area for generations to experience and enjoy.”
– Rich Henderson, The Prairie Enthusiasts Board Member

The Giordanos took an interest in the area many years ago, and for ten years, they called the original owner twice a year, asking if he was interested in selling. When the day finally came, the original owner asked to meet the Giordanos to ensure they were people who would care for the land. Satisfied with the Giordanos’ intent, they were sold the property and quickly began making improvements.

They contacted the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to survey the land and understand its history; they planted trees and removed dead brush. Their stewardship was driven by the goal for the land to be a haven for the natural world, and for others to enjoy its splendor.

The property has a beautiful view overlooking Lake Wisconsin and the Merrimac Railroad Bridge. It also has various native ecosystems that are now rare but once were common.

We are grateful to the Giordanos, The Prairie Enthusiasts, and the many volunteers who helped protect this property for generations to come. Current and new volunteers will now work towards the goal of bringing this ecosystem back to its original state of sand prairie and oak barrens, which was its condition when the Ho Chunk Nation was caring for the land for thousands of years. Until management plans are
finalized, the preserve is not open to the public. Those interested in volunteering to restore this ecosystem should contact The Prairie Enthusiasts at info@theprairieenthusiasts.org.

More people will be able to safely access the Lower Yahara River thanks to Groundswell’s purchase of 1.64 acres south of the Dunkirk Dam. This special place is adjacent to property owned by the Dunkirk Dam Lake District and to the Town’s Charlie H. Lyon Memorial Park.

Immediately after the acquisition, Groundswell transferred the parcel to the Town of Dunkirk. The Town plans to work with the Lake District to construct amenities on the property.  Current plans include an ADA-accessible path, an accessible canoe & kayak put-in/take-out, and an accessible fishing pier.

There is currently no safe public access for boaters to portage the Dunkirk Dam due to turbulent water immediately below the dam.  This acquisition is further south and will allow the public to use canoes and kayaks on this segment of the Yahara Chain Water Trail.  An existing parking lot at the Charlie H. Lyon Memorial Park would connect with the riverside improvements by the planned footpath.

The property had been in the Hansen family since 1945, when Otto Hansen purchased it.  His son, Rollin, fished from the property and cleared about an acre of the land for a vegetable garden.  The current landowners are third and fourth generations.  Although they were approached by a developer, the family chose to preserve the property.  “We want the public to be able to enjoy this land next to the Yahara River for years to come,” said Otto’s granddaughter Judy Adler. “Public access will enhance the Town’s park lands.”

River usage in this area is expected to increase with the City of Stoughton’s new River Park for kayaks and canoes.  The River Park will be upstream from the Hansen acquisition, and some boaters will no doubt continue downstream to the Dunkirk dam.  “This purchase makes possible safer and accessible access to the Yahara River, while protecting the fragile shoreline,” said Laura Davis, Chair of the Dunkirk Dam Lake District.  “Right now people who want to fish must access the water on brushy, steep, and sometimes muddy trails.  Our plans are to construct a safe, accessible trail that leads to an accessible fishing pier and an accessible boat launch.”

Norm Monsen, Chair of the Town of Dunkirk, termed the acquisition “…a landmark day for our Township.  We look forward to working with Groundswell Conservancy on other land preservation projects through our new Rural Preservation Program.”

This acquisition was possible because of the generosity of the landowners, our partnership with the Town and the Lake District, and funding provided by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and the Dane County Conservation Fund.