In 2001, we completed contracts and initiated land conservation efforts to restore the health, promote greater diversified ecological balance, and foster wildlife on the property.

As a USDA-registered farm, a portion of the lowland area previously used by area dairy farmers to grow corn or other feed crops had severly degraded the land, especially adjacent to the stream. Regular springtime flooding and washouts resulted in soil loss and erosion. Also, since the property was selectively logged by the previous owner, our concern over the health of the forest led us to the development of a forest/timber management plan for the woods with an eye toward silviculture, the sustainable management of forests.

As a part of the sustainable management plan developed for the property and in close partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forester as well as the USDA NRCS, an ecologically-mindful selective harvest was completed as a part of the forestry plan and with the guidance of the Kickapoo Woods Cooperative, of which we're also cooperative members. We also implemented Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) on a portion of the harvested area. Our conservation initiatives were accepted into various conservation programs as outlined below.

The three significant land conservation undertakings are as follows:

• Continuous CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) to Establish a Riparian Buffer alongside the Stream
  
  Acres Involved: 2.5, of which 2.2 acres were cropland and .3 acres were pasture (see flood damage in photo).
  Partner: USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency
  Duration: 15 years, ending in 2017
  Purpose: To establishing a riparian (stream-side) forest buffer, helping protect soil, air, and water quality and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Tree planting began in spring, 2002, and involved a highly diversified planting of a total of 550 trees (saplings) including Northern Red Oak, White Ash, Black Walnut, Black Cherry, Hickory, Silver Maple, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Swamp White Oak, White Pine and Red Pine. Due to extreme weather events with very heavy rainfall and flooding, the area was declared a Federal Disaster Area three different years. Added to the devastation of the floods, deer browsing on young trees presented significant issues, leading us to the effective use of Tree Pro Miracle Tubes sold by Southwest Badger Resource Counservation District to protect the young trees. The Continuous CRP program was established by the Food Security Act of 1985.

• Managed Forest Land Law to Establish and Follow a Stewardship Forestry Plan
  
  Acres Involved: 20 (closed to public access option)
  Partner: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Vernon County Forester
  Duration: 50 years, ending December 31, 2051
  Purpose: To manage the 20 acres of woods for timber, wildlife, aesthetics and recreation. In managing the timber stand, favor is given to native species, especially hardwoods. In terms of wildlife, forests to be managed for wood duck, screech owl and wild turkey. The purpose of Wisconsin's Managed Forest Land Law is to encourage the growth of future commercial crops through sound forestry practices which consider the objectives of the individual property owners, forest aesthetics, wildlife habitat, erosion control, protection of endangered or threatened plants and animals, and compatible recreational activities.

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) of the USDA (NRCS)
  
  Acres Involved: 18.6
  Partner: USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
  Duration: 5 years, ending 9/30/2014
  Purpose: To actively manage the 18.6 acres of woods for timber production and wildlife. In managing the timber stand, timber stand improvement (TSI) was implemented during the spring/summer of 2011 that involved facilitating a "crop release" of preferred hardwords and cutting down and thining out any non-preferred species. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by: Undertaking additional conservation activities; and improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities.

To support this mission, the property is now officially enrolled into the Landowner Registry Program of the Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC), a local land trust working in six counties in southwestern Wisconsin. The MVC's Registry Program recognizes owners of land with sensitive species, wildlife habitat, open space, or where active habitat restoration taking place. Landowners enter into a voluntary, "handshake" agreement with the MVC to conserve and steward the land. The Registry can be an introductory step for landowners in the process of permanently protecting their land. Wildlife conservation efforts addressing bluebirds, wood ducks and other native, cavity-nesting bird species as well as species using wetland, grass and forest habitat are underway.

Realizing that all development, preservation and conservation issues are best managed and planned for on a local level, we're supporting the Valley Stewardship Network (VSN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the beauty of the rural landscape in the Kickapoo Valley area and promoting a balanced, healthy ecosystem, maintained in harmony with and by viable, locally-controlled communities.

To help restore the land, subsidize wildlife conservation efforts, and support area conservation initiatives and non-profit organizations, 10% of the rental fees are set aside for such purposes.

While the many conservation efforts are being undertaken, the 30-acre property is remaining a private wildlife sanctuary.