Holmen Courier - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Holmen Courier or online at www.holmencourier.com

Published - Thursday, December 27, 2007

MVC acquires massive grassland area

State fund helps preserve Northern Engraving land with unique bird habitat

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, Sen. Dan Kapanke, Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank visited La Crosse Wednesday to present a nearly $1 million state Stewardship Fund grant to Mississippi Valley Conservancy.

The grant will be used to purchase a 310-acre grassland near Holmen from Northern Engraving, which is donating part of the value of the property. Northern Engraving President Philip Gelatt is a founding member of MVC.

The property, which will be known as the New Amsterdam Grasslands, is environmentally significant both for its scenic beauty and for its rare grassland birds, many of which are the focus of conservation efforts due to their declining populations.

“This is a really big accomplishment for Mississippi Valley Conservancy,” said Tim Jacobson, MVC’s executive director. “We are extremely fortunate to have the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund and a local, community-minded company like Northern Engraving come together to make the permanent protection of this amazing grassland possible.”

“We also owe a special debt of gratitude to Governor Doyle and Speaker Huebsch,” said Ralph Heath, Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s board president, said the group also owes a debt to Doyle and Huebsch. “Their leadership in reaching across the aisle and agreeing to continue Wisconsin’s bipartisan tradition of protecting our hunting and recreational lands, by funding the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, will be an important part of this generation’s legacy to the people and businesses of tomorrow,” he said.

David Skoloda, a founding board member and first president of Mississippi Valley Conservancy, said “Philip Gelatt’s generosity and vision have been a major factor in the success of MVC. We’re grateful to him and the people of Wisconsin who have supported the land conservation work of MVC through the Stewardship Fund.”

The conservancy recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and has protected more than 6,400 acres in the region.

“In this state, our natural resources are not just a part of our landscape,” said Doyle. “They are a part of who we are. We value our rich traditions of hunting and fishing, and the ease of access we have to nature.”

Jacobson said the property is the last open grasslands of significant size atop the Mississippi River Terrace, which once contained thousands of prairie acres.

The conservancy identified the grasslands as a critical habitat about 10 years ago, Jacobson said.

“A piece of land like this is so hard to come by,” he added. “When you go out there, you can feel like you’re on that great expanse of grasslands that once existed before European settlement.”

It’s home to more than 90 native bird species, many with dwindling populations.

For the first time, the land will be open to public recreation, such as hiking, hunting, birding and nature study.

All but 40 acres will be closed in May, June and July, during bird nesting season. Motorized vehicles, bikes, pets, horses, livestock and campers also will not be allowed at any time.