Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy
 Accomplishments
    July 2005

Not long ago, we set out on our mission to protect and restore the remaining areas of wild beauty and diversity in our Milwaukee area home.  In the short time that the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy (MALC) has been established as a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, we've accomplished several important achievements towards the goals of our mission.  These include:
  • Obtaining title to 23 acres of rare prairie and sedge meadow within the Carity development in Franklin, and setting up an endowment to cover the costs of insurance (see Carity Prairie below).
  • Securing a grant to pay for attorney's fees incurred in setting up the first conservation agreement as a partner with a developer and the city of Franklin.
  • Securing grants from the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative, CNRA, and the C.D. Besadny Foundation for the restoration work on the Carity property.
  • Beginning the burning and debrushing work on the virgin prairie remnant and the planting to restore the open field areas to connect the isolated natural areas.
  • Hiring a land appraiser for the purpose of securing Fitzsimmons Woods, a high quality maple-beech forest in southern Milwaukee County in eminent danger of development.
  • Completing an environmental assessment and submitting a grant proposal to help purchase Fitzsimmons Woods.
We have several projects in the planning stage, including the purchase of Fitzsimmons Woods and a cooperative effort with Milwaukee County and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to restore a rare savanna habitat. 

Carity Prairie
The Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy has partnered with developer Bill Carity to preserve a rare prairie remnant and restore a sedge meadow complex.

The site totals 23 acres and is open to the public. The project provides for the preservation and restoration of one of the last known examples of virgin (unplowed) prairies in the highly populated Milwaukee County.  It also will contribute to the public’s knowledge of this type of rare and unique habitat because it will be open for viewing and educational access.

Not only is this site a rarity in southeastern Wisconsin, but equally as rare is a developer who sees the wisdom of making a land donation to preserve it for future generations. Another developer might have easily destroyed this ecological jewel in favor of a few more home sites. Our hope is that the land ethic developed by the famous Wisconsin conservationist, Aldo Leopold, and evidenced by Bill Carity's generosity, will serve as a model to other land developers in the region.

We have made a profound difference on the future of the natural areas in the Milwaukee area.  But there is still so much to do, and with ever-increasing pressure from development proponents, not much time to do it.  For many of these areas, the window of opportunity for preservation is a small one.  We need your help in order to be ready to act on these opportunities.

Please consider supporting MALC by becoming a member or making a donation to further our ability to insure a vibrant future for the high quality natural areas still remaining in our community.  By supporting a local conservancy group, you help us protect land and water resources for future generations.  Thank you!
   
Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy (MALC)
10203 W. Ridge Road,  Hales Corners, WI 53130
Phone: (414) 425-4608    Phone/fax: (414) 423-1606
MALCemail@wi.rr.com  website: my.core.com/~dhanson/



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