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Board accepts 196-acre donation to expand Lower Wisconsin State Riverway
Summary
The Natural Resources Board accepted a 195.88-acre donation of riparian and upland habitat in Grant County from Mississippi Valley Conservancy for inclusion in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway to protect habitat and expand public recreation access.
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on Oct. 22 accepted a donation of 195.88 acres in Grant County from the Mississippi Valley Conservancy for addition to the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.
Terry Bay, director of the Bureau of Facilities and Lands, told the board the parcel—acquired by the conservancy in September 2024 for $147,500 with partial support from the Warren Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program—abuts DNR-owned land and includes about 0.6 miles of frontage on the main channel of the Wisconsin River. Bay said the property includes bottomland hardwoods, sand prairie remnants and a 17-acre shallow lake known as Dead Lake, and makes contiguous DNR holdings easier to manage.
Why it matters: the department said the acquisition improves habitat protection, reduces the amount of property-line signage needed on adjacent DNR lands and will be open for nature-based activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking and cross-country skiing.
Public comment and partners: Abby Church, conservation director for Mississippi Valley Conservancy, described the parcel as a high-priority conservation target that meets multiple conservation plans and noted it contains one of the only known populations of southern wild rice in the state. The board packet also included a written letter of support from Mark Cupp, executive director of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway board.
Board action: Robin Schmidt moved acceptance of the donation; Jeff Hastings seconded. The board approved the acceptance by voice vote and requested a certificate of appreciation to the donor be entered in the official record.
