Protected Lands

Protected Lands in Central Wisconsin

NCCT’s conservation easements protect over 5,300 acres of land, which includes the protection of 12 miles of lake and stream shoreline. Several private landowners with conservation easements protecting their properties have agreed to allow the public to visit and explore their beautiful natural areas. In addition, NCCT owns five properties, four of which are Nature Preserves that are open to the public.

NCCT’s preserves are open to the public at no charge for hiking, wildlife observation, and other low impact, non-motorized recreational activities. Please be respectful of these special places by leaving only footprints and taking only photos. We ask that you please read the descriptions of these properties below before you visit them. Enjoy your time exploring these incredible protected areas!

Protected Lands Open to the Public

NCCT Owned Properties
Open to the Public

BUKOLT PARK AREA MAINLAND PROPERTY & ISLAND

NCCT owns the 5-acre property just north of Bukolt Park in Stevens Point, WI! The property has a section of the Green Circle Trail running through it. The organization also owns the 2-acre island just west of Bukolt Park in the Wisconsin River! The Island has a seasonal boat dock available for small boats, canoes, and kayaks. Both properties are open to the public during daylight hours. For special use requests, please contact our office.

MUMFORD NATURE PRESERVE

This 160-acre preserve is located along the Eau Claire River and hosts a beautiful walking trail around the property.

Throughout 2025, NCCT improved the property’s access and parking area, installed an informational kiosk, installed picnic and Leopold benches, and expended the trail network with a grant provided by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and countless staff and volunteer hours.

SUSZKO RIDGE NATURE PRESERVE

This 8-acre property is located near Wautoma, WI in Waushara county. It is open to the public for exploring the property. The site is currently being restored to Oak Savannah and Prairie habitat.

BIG CAIN CREEK NATURE PRESERVE

This 30-acre property was donated to NCCT in 2025! It has more than a quarter mile of the Big Cain Creek flowing through it.
NCCT will be performing restoration and expanding the trail network on this Nature Preserve throughout 2026.

Privately Owned Lands Open to the Public

BENN CONSERVANCY

Benn Conservancy is open to the public year-round, and is located in the Village of Rosholt, Portage County, Wisconsin. This property offers a trail system filled with natural scenic views and recreational opportunities! Spend your next day off here and support NCCT by respecting our natural resources and leaving no trace behind.
346 W. Randolph St., Rosholt, WI 54473NCCT will be performing restoration and expanding the trail network on this Nature Preserve throughout 2026.

Learn more: www.stevenspointarea.com/listing/benn-conservancy/1267

RICE LAKE PRESERVE (ICE-AGE TRAIL ALLIANCE)

The Pfleger Family Trust originally gifted this property to NCCT in December of 2011. We are grateful that they entrusted us to protect this beautiful property that contains 1,000 feet of shoreline on Rice Lake and pristine white cedar forest. NCCT sold the property to the Ice Age Trail Alliance in February of 2014 with a conservation easement on the property which protects it from development. During the summer of 2021, Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers built the White Cedar Segment on an old logging road that traversed the property. The trail is less than one mile long, and contains an 873-foot boardwalk that provides an up-close look at the beautiful white cedar forest.

Learn more: www.iceagetrail.org/explore-new-gem-marathon-county

KUSE NATURE PRESERVE

On their father’s 119th birthday, sisters Hildegard and Loretta Kuse signed a conservation easement protecting the Kuse Nature Preserve. The Kuse Nature Preserve is a 35-acre property in the Town of Medford in the southeastern part of Taylor County. It is situated on the westernmost edge of the city featuring forests, agriculture fields, and a working historic farm. Much of the property is planted in hay, providing scenic open space to residents and the Medford schools neighboring the property. The trails located on the property can be accessed by elementary and high school students studying at the neighboring Medford schools.

You can visit the Kuse Farm Museum and Nature Preserve by appointment, phone: 715-965-2318 or email: kusemuseum@gmail.com, to make arrangements.

Learn more: www.kusemuseum-naturepreserve.org

GREEN ACRES PUBLIC TRAIL - VISTAS AT GREENWOOD HILLS

Wausau City Trail winds through the beautiful Green Acres Property. If you go on a walk here please be sure to enjoy yourself but be respectful of nature and of the private property boundaries that border the trail. Be sure that you stay on the path and enjoy your stroll on this beautiful property!

Learn more: www.ghvistas.com/greenwood-hills-lifestyle

Private Lands Protected

Out of the 63 conservation easements NCCT has developed, 52 of them protect private land. Although the public cannot always access these properties, these kinds of protections still provide enormous public benefits by permanently protecting important conservation values including water and air quality, wildlife habitat, wetlands, open lands, farmland, forests, etc. They also reduce environmental problems such as water pollution, flooding, erosion, etc. Private and public land protection provides a rural aspect to the landscape that contributes to the natural aesthetic of Wisconsin that we all cherish.