NCOs At Work

Nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) are an excellent community-based complement to state and local government because they provide an organized framework for citizen participation. Indeed, well over 50,000 Wisconsinites are now involved as members, volunteers or donors of Wisconsin land trusts and other conservation organizations taking an active role in conserving the land and water resources of their communities.

The results have been impressive. Over forty-five NCOs have been awarded more than $47.6 million in Stewardship grants and raised well over $48 million to directly match the state's investment.

They provide the public with many opportunities for outdoor recreation and education, whether it be a place to study the dwarf lake iris, launch a canoe, observe a red fox, or shoot a ring-necked pheasant.

Here is a sampling of NCO projects that have received significant funding from the Stewardship Program.

Ice Age Trail

When complete, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail will extend over 1,200 miles across Wisconsin, blazing a path from Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay to Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls. Volunteers participate in every phase of trail development and maintenance, contributing over 70,000 hours in labor each year. The Stewardship Program has provided funds to the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, local units of government and the DNR to acquire many vital links in the trail corridor, making this the longest partnership in the state.

Mink River Estuary - Door County

The Mink River Estuary is one of the few high quality estuaries remaining in the nation, and possibly the most pristine on the Great Lakes. An important spawning area for fish, it is also a critical migration site for more than 200 species of birds that pass through Wisconsin. Owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, the 1,600 acre sanctuary provides a quiet Door County retreat for residents and visitors alike. Several grants from the Stewardship Program have aided the Conservancy in protecting this critical resource

Bayfield's Big Ravine - Bayfield County

Step off the sidewalk in downtown Bayfield, and you will quickly find yourself a canopy of green as hike up steep Big Ravine Park, first set aside 1940's, recently extended with Stewardship grant to Bayfield Regional Conservancy. Noted for its mature forests and scenic views of Lake Superior, the property is home to deer, bear and many species of birds including the pileated woodpecker. The ravine is used year-round for hiking, wildlife observation, environmental education and snowmobiling.

Goose Pond Sanctuary - Columbia County

The geese are making room for sedge wrens, dickcissels, and grasshopper sparrows at Goose Pond. Stewardship has enabled the Madison Audubon Society to expand its Goose Pond Sanctuary and restore wetlands and tall grass prairie at the site. Volunteers have planted more than 50 species of native Wisconsin plants and restored over 160 acres of rolling grassland. The sanctuary and nearby Schoeneberg's Marsh are a favorite destination for Wisconsin birders and others who visit the properties on their own or for special "scope days" or other organized programs sponsored by Audubon.

Cassville Bluffs State Natural Area - Grant County

Perched high on the bluffs above the Mississippi River, the Cassville Bluffs State Natural Area - Roe Preserve adjoins the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge. A Stewardship grant to the Mississippi River Valley Conservancy enabled the organization to partner with DNR to protect this outstanding site in Grant County, which features oak savanna, prairie insects, impressive vistas, an eagle roost and one of the largest bird effigies in the region. A great place to stretch your legs and catch a late afternoon sunset.

Lion's Den Gorge - Ozaukee County

Working with Ozaukee County and the Town of Grafton, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust leveraged a Stewardship grant with funds from the Coastal Management Program and other sources as part of a local community-based effort to permanently protect the Lion's Den Gorge in Ozaukee County. One-half mile of shoreline along Lake Michigan make this scenic site a popular spot for local residents in an area where public access to Lake Michigan is scarce.

Standing Cedars - Polk County

Stretching for more than two miles along the acclaimed St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Standing Cedars is an area of deep ravines and spectacular views. Acquired by Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy in 1995 with assistance from the Stewardship Program, the 1100 acre property provides many different habitats for native plants and animals, including rare flora and fauna. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy turkey, deer and small game hunting as well as hiking, cross-county skiing, and nature study.

Pine Creek - Pierce County

Pine Creek is the focus of conservation-minded community residents who know the fragile wonder of the creek and the picturesque valley it bisects. The West Wisconsin Land Trust is working with landowners to protect the quality of the Class 1 trout stream. When a key parcel of land at the mouth of the creek was offered for sale, the land trust turned to the Stewardship Program for help in purchasing with it. Steep wooded bluffs and ¾ mile of creeks flowing throughout property, this is an idyllic spot for fishing.

Green Circle Trail - Portage County

Winding for 24 miles through Stevens Point, the Green Circle trail provides a recreation and transportation haven for bicyclists, walkers, joggers and others. The recipient of several Stewardship grants, the Green Circle Committee is part of a unique public-private partnership involving private citizens, businesses and the Stevens Point Parks and Recreation Department, all of whom worked closely together over several years to make the trail a reality.

Bayshore Bluff - Door County

The visual appeal of the Niagara Escarpment helps define the beauty of the Door Peninsula. The escarpment is also home to several rare plants and animals. For these reasons, the Door County Land Trust and others launched the Bay Shore Bluff Project to protect a portion of the escarpment. The project contains unique geological features and provides a refuge for rare species, giving it special scientific and educational value. The land trust has established several trails making these features easily accessible to the public.

Quincy Bluff - Adams County

Home to sandhill cranes and northern harriers, the gently rolling landscape of the Quincy Bluff Preserve in Adams County features sedge meadows, oak woods, prairie, ancient sand dunes and sandstone mesas. The Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy began assembling the preserve in 1990. In the years ahead, the open expanses of Quincy Bluff will be bursting with prairie flowers and butterflies, an extraordinary gift for generations to come.

Jefferson Marsh - Jefferson County

Wildlife needs two things to prosper: space to live and food to eat. Pheasants Forever had both in mind when it acquired a 2,700 acre muck farm in Jefferson County. A grant from the Stewardship Program was key to their success. The property contains the largest tamarack swamp in Southern Wisconsin, a high quality southern sedge meadow, upland woods, and over 900 acres of drained wetland that will be restored. The property also contains one of the largest Indian Mounds in Wisconsin. The property provides excellent opportunities for hunting and wildlife observation in a rapidly growing area of the state.

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