Since 1992, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust has preserved over 2,300 acres of forests, wetlands, river corridors and wildlife habitat through land acquisition and conservation easements. Some of the projects are described below and others will be added to this page in the near future.
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Oak Hill Woods
Town of Erin, Washington County
Located in the heart of the Kettle Moraine, the Holy Hill Woods is one of the largest blocks of upland forest remaining in Ozaukee and Washington Counties. Dominated by red oak, sugar maple, white ash and basswood, the Woods provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including forest interior birds such as the scarlet tanager, Acadian flycatcher, and red-eyed vireo. The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission rates the Holy Hill Woods as a natural area of regional importance.
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In 1998, the owners of 40 acres, Oak Hill Woods, of which 20 acres are part of this magnificent forest, donated a conservation easement to the OWLT. As caring stewards for more than 30 years, they wanted to make certain that their land would be preserved in perpetuity. In addition to protecting the natural values of the site, the conservation easement maintains a scenic hillside that can be viewed for miles around.
Huiras Lake Natural Area
Town of Fredonia, Ozaukee County
Although conifer swamps and bogs are abundant in the northern part of the state, they were never common in southern Wisconsin. In fact, undisturbed examples of these wetlands are now extremely rare because most have been destroyed or degraded over the past 150 years. A rare exception is the Huiras Lake Natural Area. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Town of Fredonia, this 435-acre wetland system is one of the most valuable ecological sites remaining in southeastern Wisconsin. |
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A diverse wetland forest, dominated by tamarack, thrives at the Huiras Lake Natural Area. At least 18 of the plant species categorized as extremely uncommon in southeastern Wisconsin have been found on the site, such as blue bead lilly, velvet-leaf blueberry and round-leaved sundew. The natural area is named for Huiras Lake, a 26 acre hardwater seepage lake with an undeveloped shoreline. The lake is also extremely important for nesting and migrating waterfowl.
The OWLT purchased 103 acres of the natural area in August 1999. The site includes the majority of the lake's northern shoreline as well as 80 acres of hardwood and conifer swamp. Management of the site will consist of wetland restoration, public access for hiking, bird watching and similar activities, and wildlife habitat enhancement. Many agencies and organizations contributed to the purchase this important tract, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited and Wings over Wisconsin-Ozaukee County chapter.
Fellenz Woods
Town of Trenton, Washington County
The Milwaukee River is a jewel in the midst of urbanization. An ancient river, it meanders through Washington and Ozaukee Counties, the thread that binds together our glacial region. Along its banks are lush hardwood forests that belie its location in the fastest growing region in the state.
Nearly 1 ½ miles of undeveloped shoreline were preserved forever due to the efforts of The OWLT. Known locally as the Fellenz Woods, the 162 acre was purchased by the Land Trust in October 1999.
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On the northern part of the site is a 50-acre floodplain forest, which serves as a wonderful example of what the river shoreline looked like before European settlement. Never ravaged by fire, farmed or heavily logged, it remains very rich and especially diverse in tree species, including swamp white oak, hackberry and black and green ash. The forest is valuable as wildlife habitat for amphibians, forest interior birds and waterfowl. Also found in the woodland is a blue heron rookery, one of only about 12 known sites in southeast Wisconsin.
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On the southern edge of the site is a 15-acre lowland forest, containing both hardwood and conifer swamp elements. Numerous springs in this area contribute a high volume of groundwater to the Milwaukee River.
The remaining 95 acres consists of a wet meadow, a shallow pond and farm fields. For much of this area, a hardwood forest will be allowed to reestablish. For the remainder, a grassland community is planned. Both management strategies will enhance wildlife habitat and improve biodiversity on the property.
Cedarburg Environmental Study Area (CESA)
Town of Cedarburg, Ozaukee County
In the midst of the Town of Cedarburg, one of the most rapidly developing areas in the region, is a 40-acre tract of ponds, wetland and forest, which serves as a refuge for a variety of wildlife species.
Development threatened this unique tract; it was on the real estate market for residential development for a number of years. In 1999, a local resident concerned with the prospect of subdivision development on the land, approached the OWLT regarding its preservation and management. The resident committed to providing the funds needed to purchase and maintain the site as a natural area. Upon assessing the ecological features of the property, the OWLT agreed to the proposal and acquired the land.
As its name connotes, study of the natural world will be the primary purpose of the site. The OWLT is cooperating with the Cedarburg School District on using the land as an outdoor classroom for science students. Two OWLT board members are working with district science teachers to design educational programs and student projects.
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The Wendt Farm
Town of Wayne, Washington County
Located in the northwest corner of Washington County, are 45 acres of wetlands and farmland, which flow into Lomira Creek, a tributary to the Rock River. For almost 40 years, Marjorie Wendt and her family have enjoyed living on their farm and exploring its fields and marshes, and sledding in the winter, gardening, hunting, and exploring its "wild" corners. Shortly before Marge's husband Donald passed away, they decided to make sure that much of the farm would remain in a natural state by donating a conservation easement to the OWLT. In the spring of 2001, the gift was completed, fulfilling the wishes of Marge and her family. Currently, a prominent 12 acre hill on the property is in agriculture and will be farmed by a local farmer who has implemented conservation practices on the land to reduce erosion. Eventually, the field will be restored to a hardwood forest of oak and hickory which will act as a natural filtration strip for stormwater runoff along the wetlands. The wetland, which is dominated by reed canary grass, but has remnants of tamarack and alder, will gradually be restored to a lowland forest. A stream channel banked by box elder and willow will be protected by vegetated buffers, depending on the slope of the agricultural field they abut. Stewardship work on the land will begin in a small area, which will be planted with native grasses and shrubs./
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The Bautzmann Farm
Town of Hartford, Washington County
Perched at the edge of the growing City of Hartford and just west of Pike Lake is 36 acres of productive farmland and hardwood forest which will forever be available for agriculture and open space. The land will also continue to benefit water quality in Pike Lake. Located a "stone's throw" from the lake, the farm absorbs extensive rainwater, helping reduce runoff and prevent sediment from entering the lake. In the spring of 2001 Paul Bautzmann, former Chairman for the Town of Hartford, donated a conservation easement to the Land Trust that would ensure his family's homestead to remain open and undeveloped for future generations to enjoy. Paul believes in land preservation, especially the protection of productive farmland. As former Chairman for the Town of Hartford, Paul led the effort in Washington County to establish a PDR program (purchase of development rights) to protect working farms and the rural character of Hartford. Although the program has not yet been enacted, the work done by Paul and the Town motivated others to look at the issue, including the OWLT.
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The Parsons Farm
Town of Cedarburg, Ozaukee County
For over 30 years, Stuart and Phoebe Parsons have actively restored and enhanced the wildlife habitat on their 152 acre farm. Several ponds offer resting and feeding areas for blue-winged teal, mallards, and wood ducks. Other species, including coyote, fox, and white-tailed deer are also found in abundance. The centerpiece of the property is an 80-acre hardwood swamp forest of black ash and red maple, with an occasional large white oak. This forest is home to a nesting colony of great blue herons. These graceful birds need mature trees for nesting that are isolated from roads and near abundant clean waterways. With almost 60 nests, it is one of the largest rookeries in southeast Wisconsin. In December of 2000, the Parsons donated a conservation easement to the Trust, forever preserving their land as a place of refuge and solitude. In the Fall of 2001, Stuart and Phoebe received the Wildlife Habitat Development Award from the Ozaukee County Land Conservation Committee.
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