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County residents join land trust

By GEORGE ROGERS
of The Gazette
Portage County people who were considering forming their own land trust have decided instead to join with the existing North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) based in Wausau. They said that by combining forces, a stronger organization should result.

D.J. Freeman, a retired Wausau cardiologist, continues as president of the trust and Thomas Overholt, a recently retired faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is now vice president. Other officers are Gary Tesch, Marathon, treasurer, and Jo Ellen Seiser, Stevens Point, secretary.

Land trusts are non-profit organizations that seek to protect property for its natural, recreational, scenic, historic or productive value. They hold and manage land and also own conservation easements, which restrict development while leaving the property in private ownership. Land trusts are funded through memberships and donations from individuals, businesses and foundations.

Commenting on the agreement between the Wausau-area and Stevens Point-area groups, Freeman said, "These new developments make the future look bright both for the NCCT and for its role seeking to preserve and enhance north-central Wisconsin's natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations."

"Problems associated with the development of land and water resources are world-wide," Overholt said. "What appeals to me about this land trust is that it gives persons in our communities another vehicle to address such problems in our own backyard."

Jane Raymond-Wood, Wausau, a director of the land trust, said, "North Central Conservancy Trust is in the midst of revitalizing itself by adopting new policies with the help of a merger with conservationists from Stevens Point. The board of directors has been expanded with enthusiastic people from the business, farming, educational and conservation communities. Memberships from the four-county area of Portage, Marathon, Lincoln and Wood will be solicited. New brochures, a newsletter and more publicity are planned. We are looking forward to an exciting year."

Overholt said the land trust is particularly interested in protecting areas with exceptional biological diversity, as well as farms and forests where the land "has been managed to preserve its sustainability or reduce impact on the surrounding lands."

The impetus for forming NCCT, said Freeman, came in 1993-94 when the city of Wausau proposed the installation of a sewer main to serve a golf course and residential development. He said the sewer line would have gone through "20 acres of forested wetlands containing a natural creek and rich fauna and flora habitat."

To encourage the city to use an alternate route, Freeman said, the land was purchased and a conservation easement was placed on it with the Lakeland Conservancy of Minocqua. At the same time, Freeman and his wife, Mary Clare, included a contiguous 21 acres in the easement.

The efforts succeeded, and "the city did find an alternate route," he said. Freeman said this was done "with the help of many friends, neighbors and outside consultants from the University of Wisconsin System (Wausau and Stevens Point campuses), the DNR, the Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency and legal counsels."

The creation of NCCT took place in 1996. Robert Greenheck of Schofield became involved, and he and Freeman recruited Gary Tesch, Marathon, owner of a tree farm. The three served as NCCT's initial board of directors.

By intent, said Freeman, the land trust kept a low profile, hoping an occasional educational presentation and word of mouth would encourage other property owners to approach the NCCT. To some extent that happened, he said, and three more conservation easements totaling nearly 300 acres are pending in Marathon County.

However, said Freeman, it became apparent that NCCT would have to reach out to accomplish its mission. Early m 1999, contacts began with people in Portage County, and at an Aug. 31 meeting they agreed to join forces.

Directors of the land trust, besides the officers and Jane Raymond-Wood, are Sandi Cihiar, Mosinee; Robert Freckmann and Dan Trainer, Stevens Point; Thomas Mallery, Wausau; and Greenheck.



	County residents join land trust By GEORGE ROGERS of The Gazette Portage County people who were considering forming their own land trust have decided instead to join with the existing North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) based in Wausau. They said that by combining forces, a stronger organization should result. D.J. Freeman, a retired Wausau cardiologist, continues as president of the trust and Thomas Overholt, a recently retired faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is now vice president. Other officers are Gary Tesch, Marathon, treasurer, and Jo Ellen Seiser, Stevens Point, secretary. Land trusts are non-profit organizations that seek to protect property for its natural, recreational, scenic, historic or productive value. They hold and manage land and also own conservation easements, which restrict development while leaving the property in private ownership. Land trusts are funded through memberships and donations from individuals, businesses and foundations. Commenting on the agreement between the Wausau-area and Stevens Point-area groups, Freeman said, "These new developments make the future look bright both for the NCCT and for its role seeking to preserve and enhance north-central Wisconsin's natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations." "Problems associated with the development of land and water resources are world-wide," Overholt said. "What appeals to me about this land trust is that it gives persons in our communities another vehicle to address such problems in our own backyard." Jane Raymond-Wood, Wausau, a director of the land trust, said, "North Central Conservancy Trust is in the midst of revitalizing itself by adopting new policies with the help of a merger with conservationists from Stevens Point. The board of directors has been expanded with enthusiastic people from the business, farming, educational and conservation communities. Memberships from the four-county area of Portage, Marathon, Lincoln and Wood will be solicited. New brochures, a newsletter and more publicity are planned. We are looking forward to an exciting year." Overholt said the land trust is particularly interested in protecting areas with exceptional biological diversity, as well as farms and forests where the land "has been managed to preserve its sustainability or reduce impact on the surrounding lands." The impetus for forming NCCT, said Freeman, came in 1993-94 when the city of Wausau proposed the installation of a sewer main to serve a golf course and residential development. He said the sewer line would have gone through "20 acres of forested wetlands containing a natural creek and rich fauna and flora habitat." To encourage the city to use an alternate route, Freeman said, the land was purchased and a conservation easement was placed on it with the Lakeland Conservancy of Minocqua. At the same time, Freeman and his wife, Mary Clare, included a contiguous 21 acres in the easement. The efforts succeeded, and "the city did find an alternate route," he said. Freeman said this was done "with the help of many friends, neighbors and outside consultants from the University of Wisconsin System (Wausau and Stevens Point campuses), the DNR, the Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency and legal counsels." The creation of NCCT took place in 1996. Robert Greenheck of Schofield became involved, and he and Freeman recruited Gary Tesch, Marathon, owner of a tree farm. The three served as NCCT's initial board of directors. By intent, said Freeman, the land trust kept a low profile, hoping an occasional educational presentation and word of mouth would encourage other property owners to approach the NCCT. To some extent that happened, he said, and three more conservation easements totaling nearly 300 acres are pending in Marathon County. However, said Freeman, it became apparent that NCCT would have to reach out to accomplish its mission. Early m 1999, contacts began with people in Portage County, and at an Aug. 31 meeting they agreed to join forces. Directors of the land trust, besides the officers and Jane Raymond-Wood, are Sandi Cihiar, Mosinee; Robert Freckmann and Dan Trainer, Stevens Point; Thomas Mallery, Wausau; and Greenheck.