Summary
Groundswell Conservancy, along with the Town of Dunn and landowner Dana Sperloen, permanently protected Dana's 46-acre property — nearly all of which is prime farm soils.
Good news! Last week, Groundswell Conservancy and the Town of Dunn partnered with landowner Dana Sperloen to protect 46 acres of land near Lake Kegonsa forever. This special place is located right on Highway 51, just south of the lake.
Heidi Habeger, Groundswell’s Executive Director, shared why this is so meaningful: “We’re not only conserving 46 acres; it’s about protecting some of the country’s best soil and connecting it to other protected lands,” she said. “By doing so, we help sustain farming, preserve our rural character, and leave a legacy for future generations.”
Nearly all of Dana’s property is classified as prime farmland soils, the most productive soils for growing food. These soils are an important resource that we must protect for future generations. However, they are a resource that’s under threat from increasing development, especially in Dane County, which is growing faster than any other county in Wisconsin.
Dana recognized the importance of protecting the land, sharing: “It’s an honor to be a part of preserving the land and to be recognized for it.”
Kelsey Shepperd, who helped lead the project as the Town of Dunn’s Land Use and Conservation Manager, had this to say:
“This property is located along a well-traveled highway and will be a visible reminder of the Town of Dunn’s commitment to preserving open space to many passers-by,” she said. “This easement is also located less than a mile, as the crow flies, from both US Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin DNR lands. Expanding protected lands supports the town’s goal of creating connected corridors of conservation. Many thanks to NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), Groundswell Conservancy, our townspeople, and Dana Sperloen for their commitment to preserving this property in perpetuity.”