awarded river protection grant

O
ur mission is to
preserve our rural heritage
by protecting remaining
farmland, water resources,
natural areas and open spaces
FALL WINTER 2012
impacting Northwestern
Waukesha County.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steven Traudt
President
Ray Peebles
Vice President
R. Jeffrey Harris
Secretary
Jeffrey Spence
Treasurer
William Biersach
Lisanne Nelson Brandon
Charles Brumder
Kevin Flanagan
Donald Gallo
Troy Giles
Theodore Rolfs
Truman Schultz
advisory board
Samuel Bradt
Hank Ehrsam
Anne Sheedy Seidel
Caran Quadracci
staff
Susan Buchanan
Executive Director
Carol Bell
Development & Administrative
Coordinator
TPC WELCOMES
YOUR FEEDBACK
P.O. Box 65 • Nashotah, WI 53058
tel 262-369-0500
fax 262-367-5245
email info@tallpinesconservancy.org
visit www.tallpinesconservancy.org
Tall Pines Conservancy is a
501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization
Printed on recycled paper.
MASON CREEK WATERSHED PLANNING GROUP
AWARDED RIVER PROTECTION GRANT
LANDOWNER MEETING FEBRUARY 12TH, 2013
F
or over a year now, Tall Pines has been part of a
dynamic partners group comprised of members from the North Lake Management District,
Trout Unlimited, and professionals from the DNR,
SEWRPC, Waukesha County, Town of Merton,
Village of Chenequa and Carroll University working to initiate and coordinate management efforts
regarding the Mason Creek watershed. After a study
on the water quality conducted by Jerry Kaster,
from UWM School of Fresh Water Sciences, of the
Oconomowoc River, Mason Creek and the Little
Oconomowoc River, it was determined that a significant amount of sediment is flowing into North
Lake from Mason Creek, which is designated an
impaired stream by the DNR.
The North Lake Management District applied
for and was awarded a $10,000 River Protection
Grant from the DNR. This grant will allow them to
work with SEWRPC to formulate a watershed management plan for the Mason Creek. The plan will
study riparian uses, widths of stream buffers, in-flow,
drainage, erosion, continuity of flow between the
habit and tributaries, and will also include a physical
inventory of the creek. This information will be used
to design management strategies for remediation of
potential causes of the sediment build-up. The role
of Tall Pines will include engagement of landowners’ input along the creek. A series of landowner
educational meetings will be conducted throughout
the study, which is expected to conclude no later
than December of 2014. The first landowner and
community educational meeting will be Tuesday,
February 12th, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the Town of
Merton, Town Hall. Please plan to join us if you’d
like to learn more about this important project.
Mason Creek has been under significant anthropogenic pressures in recent years. Issues such as
increasing urban development within the tributary
area, increasing demands for groundwater for human use, and increasing numbers of non-native
species have created risks that could potentially
affect the hydrological and ecological integrity of
these water resources.
Mason Creek partners study the creek.
Consequently, the watershed management plan
will provide a mechanism to ensure the protection
of water quality in both the lake and its tributary
stream system by: 1) synthesizing knowledge gained
through the planning projects and other studies completed on Mason Creek; 2) developing a
comprehensive subwatershed management implementation plan for this critical hydrologic system;
and 3) contributing to strengthening the Mason
Creek Watershed Planning Group. The goals of the
proposed planning project include the following:
• To manage the Mason Creek subwatershed in
such a way as to provide both for the ongoing
human use of the system, while maintaining
and protecting the character and integrity of the
stream, providing habitat, and maintaining the
biological diversity of the creek.
• To manage water quality, specifically suspended
sediment and total phosphorus concentrations,
originating within the Mason Creek subwatershed
through targeted interventions addressing both
subwatershed and instream-based nutrient and
sediment sources, thereby improving water quality
and enhancing habitat.
(continued on page 2)
AN EVENING HIGHLIGHTING TPC’S WORK
FALL HARVEST-ART ON THE FARM
N
othing could dampen the enthusiasm of approximately 200 guests to the Phelps’ Farm
in the Town of Oconomowoc for our 2012 Fall Harvest Celebration. Guests enjoyed the
Phelp’s private collection of art work in their sculpture gardens and restored barn along with the
work of Pleinair Artists Hal Koenig, Judy Barczak, Bridget Wolf, Daniel Stauff and Linda Krukar
all painting live scenes of the farm. The evening featured tours of the 120-acre farm, local wine
and cheese tasting and locally-sourced food by Chef Earl Gessling–topped off by boot stompin’
music by Chimney Fish. It was a lovely celebration!
Pleinair Artists Daniel Stauff & Bridget Wolf.
Laura Phelps, Bernie Gannon, Kim Koepke,
Aelred Gannon, and Paul Phelps
The Renovated Barn was enjoyed by all!
KOEPKE WINS POLICY MAKER OF
THE YEAR AWARD
O
n October 4th, Gathering Waters (the
State Association of Land Trusts) held
its 10th Annual Land Conservation Leadership
Awards Celebration in Madison. This year’s
event was another wonderful evening recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, policy makers, and land trusts which
are working to protect the places that make
Wisconsin special. Honorees this year included
one of our very own!
John Koepke, Koepke Family Farms,
Oconomowoc received this year’s Policy
Mike Strigel, GW Executive Director;
Maker of the Year Award for his efforts to
John Koepke, Koepke Family Farm; Rita Hayen, GW President
promote and defend the Wisconsin Working
Lands Initiative. He was proudly nominated by Tall Pines Conservancy and the American Farmland Trust. John serves on the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Board,
is a member of the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Council and is also a
member of the Town of Oconomowoc’s Town Board.
It was an excellent evening for Wisconsin’s conservation leaders to come together and celebrate
each others’ successes. Over 200 people from all over the state attended the event held at Monona
Terrace. CONGRATULATIONS JOHN!
PAGE
2
MASON CREEK...
(from insert page 1)
• To promote the essential hydrologic
structure and function of Mason Creek,
including the maintenance of the connectivity between the riparian lands along the
creek and North Lake, thereby promoting
the stability of the creek and maintenance
of its associated habitat.
• To facilitate the maintenance of wetland
and wildlife habitat within the designated
environmental corridors riparian to Mason Creek and North Lake, as set forth in
the relevant adopted regional natural areas
and critical species habitat protection and
management and county multi-jurisdictional comprehensive land use plans and
resource management plans.
• To encourage public knowledge and
understanding of the creek’s component
ecosystems through the development of
public informational programming.
Accomplishment of these goals will result
in the maintenance of a healthy stream
ecosystem capable of providing the desired
water quality benefits to Mason Creek. Such
benefits also are consistent with the ongoing
program of lake and stream related management actions being undertaken by the
riparian communities of Mason Creek.
The objective of the watershed plan is to
scientifically characterize Mason Creek
and its subwatershed for the purposes of:
1) identifying the potential for water quality
improvement through stream stabilization
and wetland restoration; 2) identifying
critical habitat areas for protection; 3)
creating a documented body of data and
information, accessible to the public, which
articulates and supports the basis for the
stewardship of the land and water resources
of Mason Creek; and 4) facilitating public
participation in the stewardship efforts.
Data, information, and analyses
compiled under the auspices of this grantfunded planning program for Mason Creek
will be included within a comprehensive
stream protection plan to be published and
widely distributed.
The recommendations set forth in the
stream protection plan will be widely
communicated to citizens through the
educational and informational programs
of the Mason Creek Watershed Planning
Group, comprised of nongovernmental
organizations, governmental units, and local
universities, among others.
THANKS TO ALL OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
TPC wishes to recognize and thank the following individuals for their outstanding support in the year 2011.
2 0 1 1
STEWARDSHIP
SOCIETY $1000 & ABOVE
Terese & Richard Bailey
Kathe & Bill Biersach
Frank Boucher
Grace & Steve Boysa
Nancy & Sam Bradt
Patricia & Joe Brennan
Buchanan Family Foundation
Elaine Burke
Michele & Derek Deubel
Joan Dukes
Carol & Tom Ehrsam
Lara & Hank Ehrsam
Faye Gehl Conservation Foundation*
Laura Gralton
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Brooke Fund
Brumath Family Fund
Barbara Brumder Buzard Fund
Grace & Gordon Gunnlaugsson
Jean & Tom Harbeck
Cynthia & Jeff Harris
David Herro
Kasdorf Family Trust
Koepke Pleasant View Farm LLC
Carol & Robert Manegold
Sally Manegold
Merganser Fund
Moore Oil
Melissa & David Myers
Barbara & Don Mullett
National Insurance Services
Augie Pabst
Darlene & Dan Pawluk
Provident Realty Company
Caran & Joel Quadracci
Reed Family Foundation
Lynn & Paul Rix
Thomas J. Rolfs Foundation
Mary & Tom Rolfs
Mae & Jerome Sayles
Barbara & Truman Schultz
Lynn & Dan Shannon
Vickie Stretz
Anne & Charles Trainer
Kathleen & Steve Traudt
Wiess Berzowski Brady LLC
The Zwieg Family
PROTECTOR $500-$999
Bob Thome
Holly & Steve Warner
Madonna & Jay Williams
Zwieg Maple Acres
Badgerland Financial
Burkwald Family Foundation
Kathy & Guy Crane
Susan Buchanan & Michael Davis
John Dibb
Mary Jane & Donald Gallo
John Gehl
Barbara & Greg Good
Kim & John Koepke
Arthur C. Kootz Foundation
Susan Marguet & Ron Nash
Ray Peebles
Laura & Paul Phelps
Sandy & William Rose
Jeff Spence
Marie Spence
Marie Tallmadge
Techniblend, Inc.
Amy Trainer
Lori & Richard Watt
Windhover Foundation
GUARDIAN $75-$249
Bee Anderson
Shannon Arnold
Amy & Kent Attwell
Stacy Bader
Catherine & William Balthazor
Chris Barth
Lisa Baudoin
Ryann Beck
Peter Bethke
John Brinkmann
Stephen Brink
Ron Brooks
Kurt Brueckert
Betsy & Tim Bryant
Eileen & Douglas Buske
Cheryl & James Congdon
Bruce Conley
Lisa & Robert Conley
Cheri & James Cope
Jane & Randal Craig
Maripat & Tom Dalum
Delafield Arts Center
Delafield Brewhaus
Pam & Joe Derosa
Barbara & Wolfgang Dorner
David Engen
Jeanne Engle
Eastshore Foods, Inc.
Farnham Family Trust
Mary Feuling
Beverly Finn
Kenneth Flitz
Jessica & Dennis Foley
Fox’s Piggly Wiggly
Anne & Thomas Frentzel
Kathy & Stewart Friend
George Fuller
Beatrice Gallagher
Ann Gardiner
Gathering Waters Conservancy
Cindy Gauert
Karen & Mark Gould
Peggy & Peter Haesler
Mark Hafner
Michelle & Karl Hagglund
Ann Harrington
Hazelglenn Farm
SUPPORTER $250-$499
Peggy & Richard Berk
Vikramjit Chhokar
Farina Tree Care, Inc.
Greater Green Bay Community
Foundation
William Grasch & Richard Grunke
Susan Van Vleet & Bruce Hawkins
Peggy & Timothy Helz
Mary & Leonard Hobert, Jr.
Patrick Howell
Ireland Breeder Service, Inc.
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Barbara & Dennis Klein
Koepke Family Farm LLC
Mary & Jim Koepke
LandWorks Landscape Services
Lynn Laufenberg
Sharon Spitz & Jon Lebowitz
Cathy & Jim Liebert
Julie & David Meier
New Belgium Brewing Company
Mary & Ross Read
Lisa & Keith Reed
Kathy & Bruce Rosenheimer
Sarah & Robert Schmidt
Kim & Tom Schubert
Kristin & John Sheehan
Sielaff Farms, Inc.
Judith Stark
Judy & Jerry Heine
Heidi Gilmore-Hlavachek &
Daniel Hlavachek
Connie Holzmiller
Home Farm
Mark Huebner
Deb & Thomas Jansen
Jason Johnson
Journal Communications, Inc.
Mark Kelly
Sean Kennedy
Joan Kirkwood
Peggy Kirkeeng
Dennis Klaeser
Betty & Kevin Klink
Joel Kohlway
David Kornhauser
Dean Krotts
Kubale Family Foundation
Gae & Fred Lach
Katharine La Londe
Julie & Tim Lamont
Lee Lane
Gloria Lehrer
Gretchen & Larry Lemmenes
Tina Lewis
Jean Lindemann
Kevin Linnan
Lola & Robert Loepfe
Susan Loomans
Vicki Lublin
Roberta & Stephen Maas
Tracy Marconnet
Jean & Eugene Melzer
Kris Jensen & John Mesching
Amy & Carl Meyer
James H. Meyer
Harry Mierow
Sara Molkentin
Mark Mone
Elaine & George Monis
Monis Electric
Colleen & Paul Moran
Richard Moran
Barbara Althaus & Lynn Morrison
Cyndee Morse
Mary Mowbray
Patricia & John Muehl
Karin & Patrick Mulrooney
Neurosurgery & Spine, SC
Andrew Ohlsson
Carlos Olivieri
(continued on page 4)
*Tall Pines Conservancy would like to recognize the Faye Gehl Conservation Foundation for its exceptional partnership and support of our farmland preservation efforts.
PAGE
3
GUARDIAN $75-$249
(from page 3)
Leslie Olson
Mildred E. Ornst Trust
Sylvia Oxenknecht
Joe & Jennifer Picciolo
Craig Pierce
Gertrude & Frank Pletcher
Laurie Prestby
Mary Dell Pritzlaff
Douglas Proebsting
Barbara & Donald Rambadt
Carolyn Raymaker
Norm Ream
June Rector
Rennhack Trucking
Gayle & Rob Ritter
Jody & Jeremy Roll
James Schlieve
Steven Schmuki
Roland P. Schroeder
Elizabeth & B.J. Schumacher
Ken Schumann
Margaret Schuemann
Lori & Daniel Schwefel
Bridget Sheahan
John Sieberlich
Abby Sielaff
John Siepmann
Elizabeth Silver
Shaila & Sanjay Singh
Michael Smith
John Stetter
Mary & John Stocking
Stone Fences Farm
Mary Jane & Robert Swedburg
Karla Tanel
James A. Taylor Family Foundation
The Pub, Oconomowoc
Jerry Thomasen
Dan Tighe
Leona Totosz
Dominique Tremmel
Russell Trimble
United Way of Greater Milwaukee
Melissa Vernon
Heidi & Mark von Hagke
Wild Space Farm
Cully White
Steve Whitcomb
James Wilch
Rob Frey
Laura Frymark
Gloria Gabriel
Laura Geise
Mary Lou Geralts
Ann Gessert
Betty Goldberg
Mindy Guilfoyle
Wendy Gunderson
Heiliger Huegel Ski Club
Gregory Hirt
Mark Hollister
Debra Kessler
Julie A. King
Koepke Family Farm Employees
Jane Kohlwey
Christopher Krueger
John Krueger
Bruce Lanser
Jerome Leair
Adam Lechter
Mitchell Lewis
Ken Medendorp
Julie Mertz
James Meyer
Melissa Minkley
Moo Meadows, Inc.
Jim Moore
Erik Nelson
Network for Good
Jo Jo Neumann
Robert Ornst
Ellen Ostermann
David Ripplinger
Peter Roedel
Patti Sander
Barry Sayles
Stephen Schaefer
Stephanie F. Schultz
Victor Schultz
William Sietz
SENTRY $50-$74
Thomas Amherdt
Loretta Baxter
Ann Beier
John Berres
David Blais
Elizabeth & Frederick Boelter
Kelly Boettcher
Beth Bunkenburg
Lisa Burkhardt
Jane & Bob Burns
Jeanne & James Clark
Julie Collens
Jennifer Conigliaro
Christopher Conrad
Rosalie Davis
Richard Dehnel
Shirley & Tom Depies
Joanne & Tom Dixon
Dean DuBois
Amanda Elliot
Engineering Specialist, Inc.
Dennis Evinrude
Paul Favret
David Fieldhack
Daniel Flesch
Toni & Daniel Flesch
Robert Foote Jr.
Judy & Timothy Fredman
Don Smith
Cheryl & Gordon Snyder
Gail Sousa
William Spransy
Jason Steiner
Lori Steinbach
Robert Stormont
Tag Lane Dairy Farm
Tracy Tock
Alison Volk
Linda Welsch
Douglas Woodward
Sue Zager
Susan Zielke
ADVOCATE $15-$49
Weenonah Brattset
Terry Carstenn
Edward Cohen
Michael Dillon
Mary Lou Findley
Robert Gramann
Barbara & Tim Grundl
Beth Hansing
Christa Katz
Paddy Kieckhefer
Joanelle Klumb
Dana Kutz
Kwik Trip
Margaret Michaelson
Marc W. Miller
Arlene & William Peebles
Scott B. Peterson
Janell Romatowski
Victor Soderstrom
Wealth & Security Services, LLC
Stone Creek Coffee
Chad Zeznanski
*Use of Funds
Source of Funds
Source of Funds
*Contributions 75%
Special Events 7%
Funds on Hand 18%
Total
*Contributions 75%
Program Services 25%
Special Events 7%
Fund Raising 8%
Funds on Hand 18%
Special Events 4%
Management & General 8%
Amount
376,869
37,190
93,643
507,702
Purchase of Development
Rights 55%
Use of Funds
*Does not include pledges totalling $203,178 made in 2011 to
be received in later years. Also is net of unrealized gains (losses)
on investments.
Program Services 25%
Fund Raising 8%
Special Events 4%
Management & General 8%
Purchase of Development Rights 55%
Total
Copies of the Tall Pines Conservancy 2011 financial statements
are available upon request.
PAGE
4
Amount
121,539
42,229
20,171
42,807
280,956
507,702
JOIN US! – FEBRUARY 7, 2013
FOR THE SHOWING OF THE FILM–
RIDE TO THE
BARNS 2012
DOUBLED
IN SIZE!
I
t doesn’t get any better than a great day,
beautiful countryside and good friends–all
in the name of “Preserve where you Ride.”
With the great fortune of a sunny day and
warm temperatures, 400 riders (double from
last year) showed up to help our cause of land
conservation! The ride once again featured
a number of preserved farms as rest stops on
each of the routes, and a new expanded menu
featuring fresh local foods. 2013 will be the 5th
year anniversary of the ride, and we hope to
top out at 500 riders–come help us celebrate
on Saturday, August 24th, 2013!
T
all Pines was recently selected by the Oconomowoc Area Foundation to receive a
grant for the showing of the Aldo Leopold film “Green Fire” at the Oconomowoc
Arts Center on February 7th. The evening will begin with a casual reception at 6 p.m.
followed by the showing of the film at 7 p.m. We are thrilled to offer this viewing of the
film to the greater community together with our partners Greener Oconomowoc and
Town & Country RC&D.
“We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I
realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those
eyes—something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full
of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves
would mean hunters’ paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither
the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view.”
- Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, 1949
The impact of his own gunshot from a rimrock in Arizona changed Aldo Leopold’s
own thinking, leading to the key insight that was the culmination of his life’s work: a
responsibility for the environment’s health. Join us as we trace Leopold’s personal journey
and follow the threads that connect to his legacy today.
The film provocatively examines Leopold’s thinking, renewing his idea of a land
ethic for a population facing 21st-century ecological challenges. Leopold’s biographer,
conservation biologist Dr. Curt Meine, serves as the film’s on-screen guide.
Green Fire describes the formation of Leopold’s idea, exploring how it changed one
man and later permeated through all arenas of conservation. The film draws on Leopold’s
life and experiences to provide context and validity, then explores the deep impact of his
thinking on conservation projects around the world today. Through these examples, the
film challenges viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the land community.
The high-definition film utilizes photographs, correspondence, manuscripts and other
archival documents from the voluminous Aldo Leopold Archives as well as historical film
and contemporary full-color footage on location, including landscapes that influenced
Leopold and that he in turn influenced.
The film also features commentary and insight from some of today’s most recognized
and credible scholars and conservation leaders, including: three of Aldo Leopold’s
children—(Nina, Carl, and Estella), Leopold scholars, noted environmental writers,
scientists, humanities experts, public policy leaders, business leaders and leaders of nonprofit groups inspired by Leopold.
We hope you will join us February 7th! The showing is free with a suggested donation
of $5 per person. To register or for more info go to www.tallpinesconservancy.org.
Members of the LAPT Cycling Team.
Riders attacking a hill.
Stone Fences Farm rest stop.
PAGE
5
DO YOU FIND THIS APPEALING?
DO you want to preserve where you ride?...
DO you enjoy seeing pristine farms and want
to preserve our rural and agricultural heritage?...
ARE you are concerned about groundwater recharge for
the area and water quality in the lakes?...
DO you want to see this quality of life preserved for
YOUR KIDS AND THEIR KIDS?...
GEOLOGY &
BIRDING HIKE
G
eologist, Tom Hooyer, from UW-Milwaukee conducted an informative session
highlighting the geology of the Mid-Kettle
Moraine at Camp/Quad for a dozen Tall Pines
Members in June. Participants were treated to
the identification of approximately 30 different
bird species by birding expert Ann Moretti of
the Benjamin Goss Bird Club.
We appreciate and need your support to continue
our important work with a donation.
Big or small, your donation is appreciated!
There are 4 easy ways to donate:
1) Fill out the enclosed envelope
2) Pay with paypal at www.tallpinesconservancy.org
3) Mail a check to TPC Box 65, Nashotah, WI 53058
Visit Us! www.tallpinesconservancy.org | Join Our Community!
P.O. Box 65, Nashotah, WI 53058
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FIRST CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
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