By CHUCK HAUBRICH
K/RLT president | Posted: Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:00 am
In 2007 the Kenosha/Racine Land Trust signed three conservation easements with private land owners totaling 383 acres. In addition, they accepted easements on 74 acres in two conservation subdivisions and on Monday, will close on a 15-acre parcel in the Des Plaines River Basin. The latter will be the first land where the land trust retains ownership. They plan to restore the uplands and wetlands and open it to the public. In total, K/RLT has permanently protected more than 1,000 acres.
Momentum keeps building
While the economy might be losing momentum, the pace of conservation in Racine and Kenosha is proceeding unabated. K/RLT is currently in the final stages of completing three more conservation easements on 67 acres and has begun talks with four more people on preserving another 500 acres.
Why the sudden interest in preserving land? The stories are generally the same, in that these land owners are becoming increasingly concerned about the relentless attack of mankind on the environment and endless discussions, with little results, toward developing a sustainable economy. They see unplanned, unfettered development destroying the natural and agricultural lands which they cherish and believe should be preserved to support future generations. The resulting sense of malaise is prompting them to do what they can by preserving their land. Having been stewards of the land for many decades, they are asking the land trust to protect it in perpetuity with a conservation easement. Society owes them a high five for their altruism.
K/RLT seeks to double membership
Current land trust membership is about 125; however, with the rapidly growing interest in land protection, K/RLT has set a goal to double that number in 2008. The fall/winter newsletter was sent to about 600 households in addition to existing members. Included in the mailing was the following membership appeal letter. We know many people are concerned about the wasteful use of land in Kenosha and Racine counties. K/RLT's ability to influence municipalities to preserve what remains stems largely from the size of its membership. Consider joining K/RLT to help in these efforts.
Membership appeal letter
This is the letter that the Kenosha/Racine Land Trust has sent to residents in its appeal for new members:
Are you concerned about overdevelopment in southeastern Wisconsin?
Would you like to see open space and natural areas protected for the benefit of our children and grandchildren?
Do you want to help protect our rivers and watersheds and improve habitat for wildlife?
Then become a member of the Kenosha/Racine Land Trust, a local nonprofit working to protect the remaining open spaces in Racine and Kenosha counties.
When you join the Kenosha/Racine Land Trust you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to preserve irreplaceable natural lands, save habitat for endangered and threatened wildlife, and protect our corner of southeastern Wisconsin.
The Kenosha/Racine Land Trust has been working for almost 15 years on behalf of natural areas. A dedicated group of volunteers, staff and supporters like you have made it their mission to see to it that the best remaining natural resources of southeastern Wisconsin are saved for future generations.
This year alone K/RLT has added more than 457 acres to its list of lands protected by conservation easements, helping reach an important milestone of more than 1,000 total acres protected. Your support will help ensure that these lands are protected in perpetuity. Your support will also help continue our land acquisition project on the Des Plaines River watershed in Bristol and Pleasant Prairie and the restoration of the Mary Ellen Helgren Johnson Memorial site on the Root River.
Please join our growing list of members and make your voice heard. We look forward to hearing from you.
To obtain membership information, including our Fall/Winter Newsletter and brochure, write to K/RLT at P.O. Box 085153, Racine, WI 53408-5153 or call (262) 552-6861. Additional information is available on the Web at
http://www.krlt.org
Chuck Haubrich is president of the Kenosha/Racine Land Trust, president of the Seno Woodland Education Center and treasurer of Gathering Waters Conservancy, the Wisconsin land trust coalition.