Wisconsin Endangered Resources Program Voluntary Protection of Species on Private Lands

Private landowners and land managers throughout Wisconsin are protecting the biological diversity of the state, by acting as stewards and guardians to threatened and endangered species in their own backyards. These landowners are involved with the Landowner Contact Program, a voluntary rare species protection program initiated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Bureau of Endangered Resources.

Why are private lands so important?
With over 85% of Wisconsin's land in private ownership, landowners and land managers can play a vital role in protecting rare species and the habitat that supports them. A high percentage of the state's threatened and endangered species are found on private land. Landowners however, are often not aware that something they see every year in their backyard could be so rare. In addition, many landowners are afraid that if a rare species is located on their land, the value of their land will change, that they will not be able to sell their property, or that they will be restricted in future development activities.

Outreach efforts to landowners
Through outreach and education efforts the Landowner Contact Program works to create awareness and appreciation for rare species and the habitat that supports them. The program offers information on the laws that protect rare species, management of the rare species, potential threats to the habitat, and assistance with population monitoring. Successful management and protection on private lands assures that the state's rare species are not being threatened into further decline. Protection of these species may mean that future generations will still be able to see the plants growing where they were first found.

Goals of the program
An important part of landowner contact is recognizing the landowner or land manager for their current stewardship efforts, which have allowed the rare species to be found at the site. The Landowner Contact Program works to acknowledge and respect private landowner rights, and seeks the landowner's knowledge of the history and use of their land. The program also works to establish and nurture a relationship with landowners, so that they feel comfortable using the Endangered Resources Program as a source of information on habitat management and permanent protection options.

Benefits of the program
An important benefit of the Landowner Contact Program is the long-term preservation of rare species on non-government owned lands. Landowners gain an increased sense of pride in ownership because they have something unique on their property, and know that because of their stewardship efforts a population of rare species may continue to thrive. Landowners are asked to sign a voluntary protection agreement honoring the protection of the rare species and habitat on their land. Landowners often share their knowledge about local rare species with their neighbors and friends, and expand the number of landowners protecting rare species and habitat.

What is being protected?
Numerous landowners and land managers throughout the state are voluntarily protecting populations of dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris), Pitcher's dune thistle (Cirsium pitcheri), Northern monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense), Fassett's locoweed (Oxytropis campestris), prairie bush clover (Lespedeza leptostachya), Eastern prairie-fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea), forked aster (Aster furcatus), snow trillium (Trillium nivale), Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis), Hine's emerald dragonfly and dry prairie community along the lower St. Croix river.

What can I do?
Information on habitat and identification for all of these species can be found within the WI Endangered Resources Program web site.

If you believe you have a state or federally threatened or endangered species on your property and are interested in protecting them, or would like to know more about the Landowner Contact Program, please contact the landowner contact specialist, Darcy Kind at 608.267.9789 or e-mail at Darcy.Kind@wisconsin.gov.

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