Our Work
Challenge: Dane County’s natural areas, farmlands, and scenic rural areas are increasingly at risk because of the tremendous population growth and subsequent development occurring in this area of Wisconsin. The quality of life that we enjoy in this region is enhanced by our landscape; hence our quality of life is at risk as well.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Dane County will grow by 36% between 2000 and 2030. That’s nearly double the statewide growth rate of 19.6% for the same time period. The 60,000+ new people expected here in the next decade alone will create strong pressure to develop rural areas of the county. The pressure to develop these lands will further escalate the price of land in the Dane County region, making the need to protect lands now even timelier.
This growth is due, in part, to Madison’s reputation as a great place to live, work, and play. In fact, it has appeared on many “best of” lists. In the last few years alone, Madison has appeared on lists developed by Forbes, Outside Magazine, Prevention, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Canoe & Kayak, Family Circle, and Midwest Living. Among other things, the capital city has received accolades for its great school system, abundant art and entertainment opportunities, vibrant economy and low unemployment rates, solid health care system, scenic landscape, and easy access to outdoor activities.
The challenge is to maintain all the amenities that make this area so desirable. As a land trust, we’re most concerned with protecting our lands and waters.
The Natural Heritage Land Trust is the only land trust working exclusively to protect and steward important lands and waters in the Dane County region. By protecting natural areas, wildlife habitat, working farms, healthy lakes and streams, and recreation land, the Land Trust plays a critical role in helping make this region a great place to live, work, and play. To maximize our on-the-ground impact, we are focusing our land protection work in three areas: the Black Earth Creek valley, the Patrick Marsh Natural Resource Site, and the Town of Dunn.
Located in northwest Dane County and encompassing the Villages of Black Earth, Cross Plains, and Mazomanie, this valley is famed for it scenic landscape, productive farmlands, and rural character. Black Earth Creek, a key feature of the valley, is a regionally important and locally cherished trout stream. The Black Earth Creek valley is so important that the WI Department of Natural Resources included it in its Land Legacy Report, a list of the 229 places that are critical to protect to meet the state's "future conservation and recreation needs in the next 50 years." The Natural Heritage Land Trust is committed to helping the valley's landowners and communities maintain the characteristics that make this area unique.
Located adjacent to the City of Sun Prairie, this biologically rich site encompasses 990 acres that could be restored to important wildlife habitat. Approximately 330 acres—only one-third of the site—are protected. The conservation and recreation values at the site are so significant that the DNR included Patrick Marsh it in its Land Legacy Report, a list of the 229 places that are critical to protect "to meet Wisconsin's future conservation and recreation needs in the next 50 years." In addition, the Dane County Board of Supervisors included the site in the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan. The Natural Heritage Land Trust is working in partnership with the Patrick Marsh Conservancy, local residents, groups, and governments to purchase land at the site, restore it to wildlife habitat, create trails that connect the protected properties at the Marsh with surrounding neighborhoods, and open the land to the public for hiking, nature study, and other activities.
In 1996, the Town of Dunn (located southeast of Madison) created the first purchase of development rights (PDR) program in the state of Wisconsin to permanently preserve agricultural land, open space, and environmentally sensitive areas. Since then, the Town has become a nationally-recognized leader in farmland protection. For more information on the Town of Dunn's PDR program, see: http://town.dunn.wi.us/. To date, the Town of Dunn has protected nearly 2,700 acres of farmland and wetlands. The Natural Heritage Land Trust and the Town co-hold 19 of the conservation easements. The Land Trust and the Town are jointly responsible for annually monitoring the conservation easements and enforcing the terms of those easements to ensure that the farmland and rural qualities will be maintained forever.
