Groundswell Conservancy, Inc.

Groundswell Conservancy is working in partnership with the Patrick Marsh Conservancy, local residents, groups including the Discovery Club at Patrick Marsh Middle School, and local governments to manage and restore wildlife habitat at Patrick Marsh and create trails that connect the protected properties at the Marsh with surrounding neighborhoods, making it an inviting place to visit. Patrick Marsh is open to the public for hiking, nature study, and other activities.

The valley encompasses a landscape of approximately 20,000 acres and includes the villages of Cross Plains, Black Earth, and Mazomanie. Two main tributaries, Vermont Creek and Garfoot Creek, feed into Black Earth Creek as it makes its way to the Wisconsin River. Since 2001, the Natural Heritage Land Trust has protected more than 900 acres of land in the valley through the purchase of land and conservation easements. More land conservation projects are in the works, as Groundswell continues to collaborate with local landowners and communities to protect the lands and waters of the Black Earth Creek valley.

Westport Prairie is a 227-acre wildlife area on the east side of Waunakee, WI. With 1.5 miles of trails, visitors are invited to explore the prairies and 14-acre drumlin. Recreation opportunities include wildlife viewing, cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, hunting and trapping. Land at Westport Prairie is protected by the Wisconsin DNR and Groundswell Conservancy. Groundswell manages Westport Prairie in partnership with local residents, The Prairie Enthusiasts, nearby Waunakee High School, Wisconsin DNR, and local governments. We maintain and improve Westport Prairie to connect people to the land and to each other.

On Earth Day 1997, the Town of Dunn made Wisconsin history. It entered into an agreement to permanently protect 147 acres of farmland from development. By granting a conservation easement to the Town, the owners of this farmland became the first participants in Dunn’s new Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. Now, more than two decades later, the Town of Dunn and Groundswell Conservancy hold conservation easements that permanently protect 4,000 acres of working agricultural land across 33 farms. That’s roughly 20% of the Town’s land base—an impressive achievement with a long, passion-driven history. Groundswell has partnered with the Town of Dunn since 1997. We act independently from government—and changes in leadership—to ensure the Town’s and farmers’ conservation goals will always be upheld. We annually visit the properties to ensure that the conservation goals are being upheld and the Town’s investment stays secured.