History / Future of
the Land Trust Network of Jefferson County
The history of the Land
Trust Network of Jefferson County begins in 1995 when a group
of Jefferson County citizens, concerned for their environment, formed
the Jefferson County Environmental Network (JCEN).
The incorporation of JCEN was done in order to help organize its
members to affect change in the Jefferson County Zoning regulations
which JCEN members believed was allowing too much development in the
county, and that this development was straining the county's natural
resources. During the process of changing Jefferson County's land
use regulations many citizens within JCEN felt that the zoning laws
alone could not permanently protect the county's natural resources.
Soon after, the members of JCEN formed a 501c3 tax exempt land
conservation organization named the Land Trust Network of
Jefferson County (LTNJC).
By creating this land trust,
all Wisconsin landowners now had the option of protecting their land
rather than selling it for residential, commercial, and industrial
development. Landowners could now determine the fate of their land's
future by placing a conservation easement on their land, which would
allow them to continue to own their land, but it would be protected
forever.
Landowners are given the
option, no matter the size, location, or topography of their land,
of donating or selling their land, or a conservation easement, to the
LTNJC. By selling or donating a conservation easement, the easement is
attached to the title of the land and the LTNJC monitors the easement's
compliance in perpetuity.
The Land Trust
Network works with the USDA NRCS office, the
Wisconsin Working Lands program, the Wisconsin DNR Stewardship
Fund, local businesses, conservation organizations, and private
landowners, in protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources.
The Land Trust Network of
Jefferson County Board members include: Chairwoman Martine Koeppel,
CPA, MBA, Vice-chairwoman Susan Lidholm, Treasurer J. Rod Clark,
Secretary Mo Hansen, and Alexander Brower.
If you have any questions
regarding the history or mission of the Land Trust Network of
Jefferson County, email us at landtrustnetwork@tds.net.
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