Groundswell, Ducks Unlimited Protect Nearly 2,000 Acres Along Lower Sugar River

Partnerships are at the heart of conservation. This week, we’re celebrating some good news: a special conservation win made possible by the joint forces of organizations, landowners, supporters, and public agencies. 

Groundswell Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited have permanently protected nearly 2,000 acres along the Lower Sugar River in Rock County (see map link). This is the largest land protection project in Groundswell’s 43-year history. It’s also a significant conservation win for southern Wisconsin. View the press release here.

The remarkable property includes more than two miles of Sugar River frontage and a sweeping landscape of wetlands, floodplain forests, prairies, and other habitats. This land will forever support ducks, fish, pollinators, and countless other wildlife. It will also support countless hikes, paddling adventures, fishing expeditions, and more. A conservation win benefits us all. 

“As a local land trust, we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with an international organization in Ducks Unlimited to protect this very significant resource for southern Wisconsin,” said Groundswell Executive Director Heidi Habeger. 

In time, the land is expected to be transferred to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The property will be managed as part of the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area. In the meantime, the land is immediately open for public recreation, including hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing. 

Nearly 2,000 acres of land along the Lower Sugar River, which is now protected and is expected to become part of Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area in Rock County. Photo by Logan Killam, Vyberant

“Acquiring this property is a huge win for wildlife and outdoor recreation,” said Jason Cotter, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife biologist who manages the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area. “Public access lands are limited in this part of the state, despite nearly 2 million people living within an hour’s drive. This achievement was only possible because of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to protecting these natural resources.” 

This is the fourth Avon Bottoms land protection project for Groundswell. Thanks to the conservation vision of several landowners, we’ve worked together to permanently protect 2,600 acres of wetlands, stream corridors, and more in this region. View more details and see these projects on a map by typing Avon Bottoms in the search field on this page.

Projects like this don’t happen overnight. They start with a willing landowner and take years of planning, strong partnerships, generous donors, and public investment. This landmark project was made possible thanks to the following:

• a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grant administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• generous private donors
• support from conservation partners, including the National Wild Turkey Federation and Pheasants Forever

We’re grateful to all of them for making this vision a reality.  

We especially want to thank two anonymous donors, Willi Van Haren, and Cate & John Harrington for their gifts toward this project. 

One source of funding deserves special attention. Before the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program expired on June 30, Groundswell helped secure a Knowles-Nelson grant for this project. Without that grant, this project would not have happened; the property would remain privately held. It’s a powerful reminder that the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is an investment in conservation, recreation, and our future. We hope the Legislature and the next governor will restore funding to this critical program. 

Together, we’ve protected one of southern Wisconsin’s largest remaining floodplain landscapes. That means cleaner water, healthier wetlands, reduced flood risk, and a stronger wildlife corridor that will benefit both people and nature for generations. 

Whether you’ve contributed, volunteered, attended an event, collaborated in some way, or simply shared our work with others, you’re part of moments like this. You’re helping protect the places that make southern Wisconsin special—forever. To give in support of local conservation, visit our Donate page. 

Today, we’re celebrating a milestone. Tomorrow, we’ll get back to work protecting special places.