This past June, Vladimir and Bonnie Sokolov permanently protected their 140-acre property, while maintaining private ownership of the land, through a conservation easement with the North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT).
Located in northern Adams County, the Sokolov property includes 140 acres of diverse forestland and provides important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly. This property lies within two Wisconsin watersheds and is enrolled in Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law (MFL) program, where it is actively managed to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem. Beyond its ecological and conservation value, the land holds nearly 60 years of cherished family memories. With the property now permanently protected by a conservation easement, its forests, wildlife habitat, and landscapes will be shielded from future development.
The property’s history with the Sokolov family began in 1968, when Vlad Sokolov’s parents purchased the original 20-acre parcel as a recreational retreat and retirement haven. In 1984, Vlad and Bonnie purchased the property from his parents, and in 2011, they expanded it by purchasing an additional 120 acres, creating the 140-acre property it is today. Although the Sokolov’s reside in Minnesota, they are passionate about conservation efforts in Central Wisconsin.
When asked why they chose to permanently protect their property with a conservation easement, Vlad and Bonnie said they were motivated by increasing development and the loss of natural areas. Bonnie, who grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York that was gradually sold for housing developments, said she did not want their property in Central Wisconsin to have the same fate. Vlad added by sharing, “I would like to think that Bonnie and I have contributed to protecting in perpetuity a tiny piece of the landscape and wildlife habitat that we have come to know, here in the Central Sands region of Wisconsin.” Their decision to permanently protect their property ensures that this special place will remain protected for wildlife, natural habitats, and future generations to enjoy. Vlad and Bonnie generously donated this conservation easement to NCCT, and we are sincerely grateful to them for this incredible gift to conservation!
A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a land trust that defines the uses allowed on a private property to protect its conservation values. The terms of a conservation easement are discussed by the landowner and land trust until all parties are satisfied with the agreement. The conservation easement is then filed with the local Register of Deeds to tie the conservation easement to the title of the property. Conservation easements can provide significant peace of mind for property owners knowing their land will continue to be protected in the future.
After signing a conservation easement, NCCT is responsible for ensuring that the terms of the easement are permanently upheld by current and future property owners. Staff and volunteers work with landowners to monitor each protected property at least once per year.
