Groundswell Conservancy

Conservation, outreach and education: this year Groundswell Conservancy celebrated 40 years of helping conservation-minded communities and landowners protect special places in south-central wisconsin.groundswell purchased 34 acres of wetland habitat within the lower mud lake natural resource area in the town of dunn. Funding to purchase the land came from Wisconsin dnr's knowles-nelson stewardship program and a u.s. Fish and wildlife north american wetlands conservation act grant administered by ducks unlimited. Later in the year, we purchased an additional 40 acres of wetland habitat within the lower mud lake natural resource area in the town of dunn. In total, we've protected 143 acres within the lower mud lake wetlands complex, historically an area of great importance to indigenous cultures in southern dane county. Funding to purchase the property came from the landowner, Groundswell supporters and our norm anderson conservation opportunities fund, the knowles-nelson stewardship habitat areas grant program, and north american wetlands conservation act funding administered through the u.s. Fish and wildlife service and ducks unlimited. In august, the town of dunn and Groundswell also protected 133 acres of farmland through a conservation easement as part of the town's purchase of development rights program.we also protected 180 acres of prairie and oak savanna habitat in the town of new glarus. This was made possible by the generous donation of a private conservation easement by landowners kris and penny kubly. The four oaks farm conservation easement protects remnant prairie and oak savanna habitat, extensive restored prairie, and approximately 2,350 feet of streambank on legler school branch.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. The town of dunkirk 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. 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.groundswell helped the town of westport purchase 105 acres once proposed for a large bagel bakery. A mix of grassland, wetlands, and oak woods, the land is bordered by the westport town hall and the dnr's six mile creek fishery area on the other. With this addition, there's now an almost unbroken corridor of protected public land around the north side of lake mendota from governor nelson state park to Wisconsin 113. The town of westport granted a conservation easement to Groundswell Conservancy. Thanks to steve and marianne schlecht, the town of westport, the knowles-nelson stewardship fund, dane county, and our Groundswell supporters for making this possible.finally, Groundswell teamed up with the prairie enthusiasts and conservation-minded landowners ron and darla giordano to help protect 40 acres of land in the Wisconsin river valley. Groundswell led negotiations with the owners, made arrangements for the closing, and helped cover costs associated with the closing. With 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. Groundswell holds and monitors over 80 conservation easements.groundswell supporters and the public enjoyed nature experiences, including a birding for families outing with the bipoc birding club, a hike at hauge historic district park, bonfires at patrick marsh and westport prairie, and our annual black hawk ridge trail run. At westport prairie, our dedicated volunteers and waunakee high school students added another 5 acres of prairie habitat. At patrick marsh, over 300 middle school students, along with teachers and volunteers, helped plant 25 acres of native tall grass prairie on what was once agricultural land.at patrick marsh - eagle scout nick parks worked with his troop and volunteers to extend the boardwalk at patrick marsh to make it more accessible to the community.our summer intern prairie partners crew improved wildlife habitat at both westport prairie and patrick marsh and gained valuable work experience about managing natural areas.groundswell owns two community farms that promote equitable access to land for bipoc and new american farmers: westport farm in waunakee and pasley's swan creek farm in fitchburg. This year, we installed a much-needed water distribution system at westport farm. Farmers now have easier access to water, helping their plants grow and flourish. Thanks to the evjue foundation, boyden financial, Inc, high wind association foundation, willy street co-op, and second harvest foodbank of southern wi for supporting this project. We also provided outreach and technical assistance to hmoob farmers to connect them with farmer programs and other resources through a usda grant.groundswell Conservancy was established in 1983 and has permanently protected nearly 14,000 acres of important land and water. To better fit our growing team and work, Groundswell moved its office to 211 s. paterson street, suite 250, madison. Groundswell is accredited by the land trust accreditation commission.