Accomplishments
The Seybold’s were the first to donate a conservation easement in Jefferson County. This 100 acre farm nestled in the south east part of the county once sold many Christmas trees. Now is home to mature woodlands and crops.
Recreation and tourism are the mainstays of Jefferson County’s local economy. Located north of Hwy 12, West of Fort Atkinson, Dorothy Carnes Park surrounds Rose Lake, some of the most diverse bird areas in the region. With the efforts of the land trust, membership donations, Fort Wisconservation Club, Ducks Unlimited, Kitty Welch, Carol Liddle and WI-DNR Stewardship program over 80 acres had been added to the park assuring that the core of the lake will remain as a wildlife habitat area.
Drumlin Area Land Trust owns 14 acres along the Rock River in the Township of Watertown. This purchase was made possible by a grant from WI-DNR Stewardship, donations from WI Energy Foundation and landowner donations. Stunning vistas of the Rock River can be enjoyed both from the highway or a trip down the river. Preservation of riverside habitat is not only beneficial to wildlife but to water quality in the Rock River.
Tom and Mary Bauer of Jefferson County own the first property the land trust purchased the Development Rights. The 57 acres of farmland and natural habitat resources are permanently protected from development. Bauer’s retain ownership of the land; it remains on the tax roll and keeps the land available for agricultural purposes. Matching grants from the USDA’s Farm and Ranch Protection Program and a donation from Jefferson County Board of Supervisors allowed the land trust to successfully pave the way for the future in Jefferson County.
Cold Stream Farm located in Jefferson Township, Jefferson Country is under a donated conservation easement by the Late Lloyd Hake. Lloyd was the third generation of Hake’s that had made a living off of this land. The Hake’s farm is 125 acres, which in addition to significant tillable acres included more than 3,400 ft. of shoreline along Deer Creek and nearly 20 acres of woods. The woods have never been pastured or extensively logged and contains many large oak, hickory and maple trees and a beautiful understory of spring ephemerals. Keeping woods like this undeveloped with a conservation easement enhances wildlife and groundwater recharge in southeastern Wisconsin.
The Jefferson Marsh Wildlife and Natural Area established in 2004 are located in central Jefferson County. The project area includes the most extensive tamarack swamp and one of the most extensive wetlands complexes in southern Wisconsin. The land trust donated $25,000 towards the purchase of 177.73 acre of St. Coletta property located on Highway 18. The property consists of 70 acres managed for habitat more favorable to grassland nesting species and waterfowl. This purchased increased the Jefferson Marsh to 3,350 acres.
A farm located near Cold Springs, Jefferson County was the land trust’s second purchase of development rights project. Donation from Jefferson County Board of Supervisors and matching grant from USDA- Farm and Ranch Protection Program permanently protects this 91 acre farm from any future development and keep the land in agricultural use for the current and any future landowner.
In November 2007, Drumlin Area Land Trust closed on a donation conservation easement in Dodge County. This farm is 92 contiguous acres of prime farmland, woods and historic farmstead. The topography of the farm is fitting for protection by the land trust. It consists of gently rolling drumlin with the north to south orientation of the landscape that dominates the drumlin trend of southern Dodge County.
Drumlin Area Land Trust accepted the second donated easement in Dodge County on a beautiful farm along the Rock River in Lebanon Township. Currently this farm has been converted to conservation practices and the protection of natural habitat through programs with USDA, Pheasants Forever and the State Managed Forrest Law.
In 2010, Wisconsin PACE (Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement) Program announced the first farms selected and the land trust’s application for the Brattset farm was accepted. This 200 acre certified organic rotational grazing farm is permanently protected with a matching grant from WI-DATCP and USDA-FRPP. Because of the farms highest peaks in the county, ancient history involving Native tribes and diversity of productive land and natural areas for wildlife and plants this farm was selected and ranked in the top 25 farms. The current landowner is longtime activist in land preservation efforts.
Drumlin Area Land Trust assisted the landowner to establish the Scuppernong AEA (Agricultural Enterprise Area) in Jefferson County. An AEA is a voluntary agreement between the State of Wisconsin and a landowner that enables farmers to claim income tax credits by agreeing to keep their land in agricultural use for a minimum of 15 years. AEA may also help to promote investment in agricultural related businesses.
Jefferson County
1999 donation of easement 101.64 acres
2001 purchase of land 13.76 acres
2002 purchase development rights 56.55 acres
2003 purchase of development rights 91.13 acres
2003 donation of easement 2.939 acres
2004 donation of easement 10.031 acres
2006 donation of easement 125.54 acres
2012 purchase of development rights 253.94 acres
Dodge County
2007 donation of easement 92.88 acres
2008 donation of easement 141.153 acres
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13.76 acres owned 875.80 acres protected by conservation easements