The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin Protects More Land in Central Sands

The Nature Conservancy announced today the acquisition and protection of an additional 308 acres of land in Adams County. The acquisition builds on the 3,243 acres TNC protected in 2022, as part of the Central Sands Project Area.

The 308-acre acquisition represents an important opportunity to protect rare and declining bottomland hardwood forests and native biological diversity in the Central Sands. Bottomland hardwood forests are habitat for a variety of species, including some rare, uncommon, and declining species like the Blanding’s turtle, neotropical migrant birds, waterfowl, and freshwater mussels. Some of the common tree species in bottomland forests include silver maple, swamp oak and other oaks, ash, and river birch.

Like most TNC property, the new tract is open to the public for recreation including birdwatching, hiking, and hunting. There are no designated trails or parking areas.

“We’re thrilled to add land with an important bottomland hardwood forest to our overall Central Sands project,” said Hannah Butkiewicz, Central Sands Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin. “Not only is this an opportunity to protect this particular habitat, it adds to the growing network of lands in Central Wisconsin that animals and plants can use to move around and adapt as needed. These are refuges for a wide range of species. I’ve already spotted several exciting plant and animal species at this new site.”

Using its Resilient Land Mapping Tool, TNC identified the Central Sands region of the state, where this property is located, as one of the areas in Wisconsin best able to support plants and animals in a changing climate due to its rich biodiversity and highly varied and connected landscape.  

TNC has a 30-year history of working in the Central Sands region to protect almost 3,800 acres at the Quincy Bluff & Wetlands State Natural Area in Adams County. The organization also worked with partners to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan for the Karner blue butterfly, which was listed as an endangered species in 1992.