Protected Lands
NCCT’s conservation easements protect over 5,000 acres of land, which includes the protection of 10+ 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 three properties 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
NCCT's Bukolt Park Area Property
This 5-acre property owned by NCCT is adjacent to Bukolt Park in Stevens Point, WI and now has a section of the Green Circle Trail running through it. It is open to the public during regular Bukolt Park hours. For special use requests, please contact our office. Enjoy this new section of trail!
NCCT's Mumford Preserve
This 160 acre preserve is located along the Eau Claire River and hosts a beautiful walking trail around the property.
NCCT's Suszko Ridge Property
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.
Privately Owned Properties
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 54473
Rice Lake Preserve (Ice-Age Trail Property)
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. The Pfleger easement property will one day have a section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail on it that will guarantee the public enjoyment of this beautiful place! For now, you can visit the property, and it offers dispersed camping and a great place to explore! https://www.iceagetrail.org/trail-route/cth-y-parking-area/
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 Nature Preserve by appointment. To learn more about the Kuse Nature Preserve and who to contact visit http://kuse.medford.k12.wi.us/main/.
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!
Private Lands Protected
Out of the 60 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.