Winter Park Land Conservancy

Northwoods Land Trust
Winter Park Pines Conservation Easement

3,195 Acres Under Conservation

In December of 2011, the Aldridge Family donated the conservation easement to the Northwoods Land Trust. This was, and continues to be, the largest private conservation easement donation to a land trust in Wisconsin. Furthermore, placing this land in a conservation allowed a large swath of Minocqua Winter Park’s trail system to remain intact. Today the property is owned by the Minocqua Winter Park Foundation, MWP Preservation LLC, and several other private landowners. 

A local campaign was used to raise the funds for the costs associated with the conservation easement. Over 90 individuals and families contributed, along with grant makers including James E. Dutton Foundation; Arthur L. & Elaine V. Johnson Foundation; James D. & Jane P. Watermolen Foundation; Modestus Bauer Foundation; Greater Green Bay Community Foundation; and Wisconsin’s Knowles Nelson Stewardship Fund.

What is a Land Trust?

A land trust (or “conservancy”) is a nonprofit organization that permanently conserves land through conservation easements (permanent land protection agreements), and may also own and manage conservation lands (that were donated or purchased) for the benefit of the public. Oversight of land trusts is through a volunteer board of directors. Land trusts each have their own defined service area, which vary in size from several townships to entire states, and their own priorities, like forest, water, prairie or farmland protection.