NCCT’s New Office Builing Fundraiser!!
NCCT needs your help to start necessary renovations on the old DNR ranger station office building! The office was built in 1960 and has never been updated. Renovations are estimated to cost between $75,000 and $100,000 to make the space functional and energy-efficient. We are currently applying for grants to help cover some costs, but all contributions are appreciated. For more information please visit our website, www.ncctwi.org. Your generous contributions will provide NCCT with functional office space, a conference room for board members and NCCT’s employees, as well as a place for our organization to host future events!
HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?
- Credit Card Donation
- Send a check payable to NCCT to PO Box 124, Stevens Point
- Donate office furnature or other office items and supplies from the list below. To do so contact Janet Smith at edncct@gmail.com or (715)344-1910
- Volunteer! If you would like to volunteer please contact edncct@gmail.com or (715)344-1910
- List of office furniture and other items needed:
- Stove
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Sinks(2)
- Toilet
- EDDesk
- EDCredenza
- EDDeskChair
- EDSideChairs
- WorkroomDesks(2)
- WorkroomDeskChairs(2)
- WorkroomSideChairs(2)
- ConferenceTableAndChairs
- LCDProjector
- List of office furniture and other items needed:
NCCT’s first bike ride was a success! Check out pictures from the event on our Facebook page!
Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who participated in the ride!
North Central Cycling for Tomorrow
Out-and-back from Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI
· FREE bike tour, with 4 distances to choose from:
o Start time 10:30 am: 15, 25, & 36-mile routes (see map)
o Start time 11:00 am: 5-mile family ride, including a segment of the Tomorrow River State Trail (be sure to obtain a state parks & trails pass beforehand!) (see map)
Post-ride: enjoy a free brew, chance to win Central Waters and biking gear, “Conservation Chats” with easement landowners, and lunch at Chef C’s Munchie Mobile
For additional information contact- Janet Smith at edncct@gmail.com or (715)344-1910
Route Map
3000 Acres – NCCT’s Legacy of Success
During the 2012-13 fiscal year, NCCT completed easements on three properties that totaled 292 acres. The first easement to be completed was Nancy Stevenson’s easement that was signed in the last week of December. The Stevenson easement permanently protects a 40-acre bird sanctuary in the Town of Linwood, Portage County. Nancy and her late husband purchased the property along Mill Creek in 1967. Her 45-year record of birds using the property includes 88 nesting species among a total of 179 species. This represents perhaps the longest and most complete record of a bird habitat in central Wisconsin.
In February of 2013, NCCT completed its first conservation easement on public land. The 35 acre Benn Conservancy, located adjacent to the Rosholt School District, was established by James E. Benn and Louise Benn Bernard to support conservation education and to provide public access to families in the Village of Rosholt. The Benn family decided to donate the property to Rosholt School District along with a conservation easement to NCCT to ensure the property would be protected in perpetuity.
In late April, NCCT and the Robertson Family Limited Partnership signed NCCT’s latest easement, on a 218-acre property located in the Town of Marion, Waushara County. The Robertson property is a working farm, with 148 acres in Managed Forest Law Program. The easement contains part of a sylvan lake, with an underdeveloped shoreline and more than 60 acres of relatively natural native forest and savanna ecosystems, providing significant habitat for wildlife and plant communities. The signing of this easement was significant as it pushed the total number of acres permanently protected by NCCT easements to well over 3,000 acres (3,139.62 acres to be exact!).
NCCT is grateful to have contributors like Nancy Stevenson, James Benn, Louise Benn Benard, and Allan and Joan Robertson, who care deeply about protecting the beautiful central Wisconsin landscape where we work, play, and live. Conservation easements help protect in perpetuity quality habitats, species diversity, watersheds, and beautiful places with inspiring histories.
NCCT Welcomes New Board Members
Greg Dahl
Greg recently retired after more than 31 years from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources working in Wildlife Management. Most recently he was the Wisconsin Rapids Area Wildlife Supervisor where he was involved in the management of the Buena Vista Wildlife Area and the prairie chicken program, involved in the establishment of the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area, and oversaw the Mead/McMillan and the Sandhill/Meadow Valley work units. Throughout his career he worked and partnered with other Department programs (forestry, fisheries, law enforcement and lands), other agencies and sportsmen groups. He is an active member of NCCT’s Stewardship and Properties Committees. His hobbies and interests include fishing, hunting, gardening (both vegetable and perennials), bird watching, hiking, camping, travel, and activities with family and friends.
Justin Isherwood
Justin is an award-winning author and fifth-generation Portage County farmer. He farms peas, sweet corn, field corn, potatoes, and maple syrup on 1400 acres in southern Portage County. He has authored 24 books and is an active columnist in the local paper. He is a member of the Wisconsin Potato Board, board member of the United Potato Growers of Wisconsin, and has fought to get Portage County Drainage District to adapt new hydrological precepts without dredging and with habitat. Justin shares that he “was raised by woodlots, farmers who dwelt well with woods, sawmills, wood craft” and that it continues to be a part of his life. Married to Lynn for 45 years, they live in a hundred plus year farmhouse at the far end of a dirt road.
Diane Wessel
Diane is an AICP planner and a graduate of UWSP with a BS in Forest Management. As planning analyst for Marathon County, she is responsible for planning all aspects of community development including natural resource management, economic development, farmland preservation, landuse, hazard mitigation, stormwater management, sewer service, and intergovernmental relations. Diane served as project manager and grant administrator for the largest multi-jurisdictional planning grant in the state. Diane is staff to several committees of the County Board, the Wausau Area Metropolitan Planning Commission, and as a county representative to Marathon County United Way committees. She is creator and chair of the North Central Wisconsin Stormwater Coalition since its creation in 2008, editor and contributor to Marathon County’s newsletter, graduate of Leadership Wausau, graduate of Wisconsin Women in Government, and is an active member of the American Planning Association.
Roger Zimmermann
Roger recently retired from the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation at the Weston Power Plant, as the Weston Plant Manager. Roger has been the chair of the Central Wisconsin Airport and the Marathon County Solid Waste Board. He served on the Marathon County Board for 7 years serving on the Infrastructure Committee, Marathon County Library Board, Executive Committee, Rules Review Committee and the Human Resources Committee. He is currently serving on the Board of Adjustment, and the Public Service Commission. Roger Zimmermann has been taking photos of the native plants and animals at NCCT’s Rice Lake property for the past six months and plans to complete a one-year cycle of its flora and fauna. He has had photos published in many issues of Nature Photographer magazine and was a winner in the Nature Photographers 2012 Fall Contest. Besides Photography, Roger is the president of the Wisconsin Valley Woodturners Club and has published articles about wood turning in American Woodturner magazine.
Over 1000 Acres Preserved in Portage County
Story to be developed once closing on easement occurs. Closing estimated to occur on 11/15/13.
Green Land for Sale
NCCT has two green properties for sale for the purpose of supporting our work. These properties represent an opportunity to own a piece of central Wisconsin at a reduced price because they will be sold with conservation easements. If any of these is of interest, please contact the realtor listed with the property.
- Forty acres on Badger Avenue in Adams County. Property is partially wooded with Dead Horse Creek flowing through. Great Location just 2 miles east of Highway 13. Property subject to permanent Conservation Easement. Contact Gordon Whitemarsh at Whitemarsh Realty, 608-339-9001 or whitemarshrealty@gmail.com.
- Two-hundred sixty-three acres in Adams County off a secondary road, with year-round access. Property is all wooded, with a few small, wet meadows. Good woods roads throughout. Contact Gordon Whitemarsh at Whitemarsh Realty, 608-339-9001 or whitemarshrealty@gmail.com.