We were formerly the Lauderdale Lakes Conservancy. In 2007, we expanded our mission to reflect the work we were doing beyond the Lauderdale Lakes area. We changed our name to better describe the region we wish to serve. Our mission is to preserve the natural heritage of the Southern Kettle Moraine lakes area through partnerships in land conservation and resource management.

OUR GOALS:

• Prepare for Land Trust Accreditation, with the goal of receiving our accreditation in 2010. According to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission: “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation. It recognizes organizations for meeting national standards for excellence, upholding the public trust and ensuring that conservation efforts are permanent.” Accreditation was first made available to Land Trusts in 2007.
• Develop conservation project areas on Lake Beulah and Delavan Lake.
• Build partnerships throughout Walworth County to help preserve important land.
• Continue the promotion of Conservation Developments.
• Co-sponsor educational workshops in the region.
• Develop a program to protect farmland and open space.
• Continue our memberships in Gathering Waters Conservancy and the Land Trust Alliance. We use their experience to guide us as we work to promote resource conservation.

HOW WE BEGAN:

• Founded in 2000 at the initiative of the Lauderdale Lakes Improvement Association.
• Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) public non-profit corporation in 2001.
• Accepted title to the 35 acre preserve, Island Woods, on the Lauderdale Lakes peninsula.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE:

—2001—

• Explored options for the future of the Singing Hills Girl Scout camp on Lauderdale Lakes. Offers were made to their board to purchase some of their development rights.
• Sponsored a workshop on conservation subdivisions featuring the nationally recognized authority Randall Arendt.

—2002—

• Took the initiative to explore protection of other natural areas near Lauderdale. Two were protected with a DNR Environmental Sensitive Area designation.
• Had two professional foresters evaluate Island Woods and recommend management practices.

—2003—

• Accepted a Conservation Easement from the Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District for the Lauderdale Lakes Country Club to protect 57 acres of open space-including over 1,500 feet of shoreline and six acres of wetlands.
• Started youth education by involving a Boy Scout troop with Island Woods invasive management.
• Invited experts to give environmental protection presentations at our annual meetings.

—2004—

• Purchased a 5-acre marsh which added over 1,000 feet of riparian shoreline to our Island Woods preserve.
• Drafted a County Conservation Subdivision Ordinance with local governments which became mandatory in three towns.
• Donated a Conservation Easement on Island Woods to the Lauderdale Lakes Improvement Association and the Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District.
• Initiated discussions with the Town of LaGrange and the DNR regarding responsible development of the largest remaining shoreline parcel on Lauderdale Lakes.
• Encouraged purchase of development rights on the Singing Hills Girl Scout camp.
• Constructed a public overlook on the southern edge of Island Woods and developed a donor incentive program recognizing donations of $250 or more with an engraved brick at the site.

—2005—

• Approached by landowners on North Lake (near the intersection of Cty A and Cty O) offering the donation of a Conservation Easement on 14 lakefront lots.
• Recognized the need and began a 2-year strategic planning process to strengthen Board leadership and organizational sustainability.

—2006—

• Accepted the North Lake Conservation Easement donation of 14 lakefront lots, with a value of $287,300.
• Worked with the Town of LaGrange to pass a mandatory Conservation Subdivision Ordinance.
Attended Planning & Zoning Commission meetings to review proposed subdivision plans to assure full compliance with the new Conservation Subdivision Ordinance. Proposed plans to develop the Singing Hills Girl Scout Camp were withdrawn because of serious violations to the new ordinance.

—2007—

• Developed our long-term Strategic Plan.
• Opened the Island Woods Preserve trail.
• Received the 2007 Wisconsin Lake Stewarship Award as part of the Lauderdale Lakes Partnership. The Lauderdales Lakes Partnership includes Lauderdale Lakes Conservancy (KMLT), Lauderdale Lakes Management District, Lauderdale Lakes Improvement Association, and the Town of LaGrange. Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards are presented each year to individuals and groups that have made outstanding contributions of time and effort toward the preservation and protection of Wisconsin’s lake ecosystems and the communities surrounding them.
• Received a $15,000 grant to hire our first part-time staff.
• Changed our name from Lauderdale Lakes Conservancy to Kettle Moraine Land Trust, Ltd.
• Hired a part-time general manager.