Midwest Success Stories
Up one levelGift Benefits Ecology and Community
WI - A family with historic roots in the state’s dairy industry has added a gift of land to its Wisconsin legacy. Landowner Jean Babson says,"It’s nice to know its going to be in good hands."
Sensitive Land Along Northport Creek Forever Protected
MI - Jan Hunt’s land along Northport Creek is incredibly ecologically rich. It is the last intact, natural section of the creek before it hits Grand Traverse Bay, and its protection is important to preserving water quality. Jan has forever ensured its integrity with a conservation easement.
Crown Jewel in the Emerald Necklace
MI - A new nature preserve created in Harbor Springs supports a range of habitats, including hardwood and pine forests, a boggy area, an old orchard, and vernal spring pools.
Crucial Wildlife Habitat Connection
SD - Dolly and Harry Evans couldn’t bear the thought of their ranch someday being broken up or developed. The place had been in their family for generations; even their ancestors homesteaded nearby. They wanted permanent protection for their land.
Forever a Farm: Miller Easement Preserves Land, Rural Heritage
MI - Three adjacent properties, totaling 347 acres, protect working farmland with a conservation easement.
Seven Generation Family Farm Protected
IN - Mark and Rebecca Ewing have ensured protection of their land, the sixth-oldest family farm in the state, with a conservation easement with Sycamore Land Trust.
Keeping a Forest Good: One Family's Commitment to Trees & Tradition
MI - Bourke Lodewyk admits that he thoroughly enjoys caring for the forest of his family’s large Maple River Township property. “I’m a firm believer that a forest should be properly managed...and should be used,” Bourke said.
Ozark Farm Forever
MO - The Boettcher family donates a conservation easement on a 1,550 acre farm to Ozark Regional Land Trust.
An Attitude of Respect
MI - Lois Ann and Larry Reed honor a lifetime of love of the land by donating a conservation easement that will ensure 110 acres along Pigeon River remains undivided and natural.
A joint effort: Nebraska landowners come together to save Schramm Bluffs
NE - Development in the Omaha metro area could fragment historically and ecologically rich land, but a group of landowners are doing their part to make sure that this land stays intact.
Conservation Easement at Cassoday Gifted to KLA-RT
KS - On December 20, 2007, Jim and Cathy Hoy of Emporia assigned the Kansas Livestock Association Ranchland Trust (KLA-RT) its first conservation easement. The conservation gift includes approximately 650 acres of Flint Hills grasslands near Cassody, Kansas.
Shepherding the Land to the Next Generation
MI - Bruce Janssen has been a familiar face to the Little Traverse Conservancy in Michigan for many years. As owner of The Wood Shop in Boyne City, Bruce has been the artistic force and creator of Little Traverse Conservancy’s beautiful nature preserve signs that are dotting the landscape around northern Michigan.
Milne Sisters Protect Family Land Forever
IL - The family of Jim and Gladys Milne of Libertyville, IL donated a conservation easement of 15 acres that their family has owned for over 40 years to the Liberty Prairie Conservancy.
Beloved Cary Property Protected Forever
Robert and Mary Cary make permanent legacy by taking steps to protect their beautiful property forever through the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy.
A Model for Conservation
Dana Livingston started simple. Soon after moving to Dubuque in 1995, he began volunteering his time to restore a local natural area – and then others. He served on a couple of conservation committees – and then many more. Three years ago, Dana and local partners launched Future Talk, an innovative program that helps inner-city youth experience and protect nature.
Misty Valley Farm: A Place to Call Home
WI- As a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee geography professor, Paul Lydolph shared his love of the land with his students. And now as the owner of Misty Valley Farm, he and his wife Mary can share the benefits of a permanently conserved farm with neighbors, family and friends in Sheboygan County.
