Conservancy Partners with Northwoods Land Trust at Holmboe Conifer Forest

MADISON, Wisc. — August 13, 2007— There’s a little gem of a preserve in northern Wisconsin that has a new owner thanks to a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the Northwoods Land Trust.

Holmboe Conifer Forest sits along the banks of the Pelican River just south of Rhinelander. Hiking into the preserve is like stepping back in time—a time when huge pines and hemlocks covered the north and the sound of bird song filled the air.

The preserve was a gift to the Conservancy in the mid-1960s from Frithjof Holmboe and his son, Thoralf, who wanted to “see the land preserved in its natural state as a sanctuary for living things.”

We’re pleased to announce that in July, the Conservancy transferred ownership of Holmboe Conifer Forest to the Northwoods Land Trust in Eagle River. The land trust was formed in 2001 by citizens interested in conserving lake and river shoreline and high-quality forest habitat in their area. To date, they’ve protected more than 2,000 acres including nine miles of lake and river shoreline.

“We’re thrilled to be the new owner and caretaker of Holmboe Conifer Forest,” said Bryan Pierce, Executive Director of the Northwoods Land Trust. “Its proximity to Rhinelander and open public access will be invaluable in our efforts to show potential supporters and local landowners the types of habitats the land trust is working to protect.”

The Conservancy is committed to ensuring that the lands and waters we conserve receive the best possible long-term care. Sometimes this means that the best owner is a land trust or local government close to the preserve with the commitment, resources and experience to protect its natural features. Secure in the knowledge that these locally significant natural areas are protected and well cared for, the Conservancy can continue to conserve outstanding lands and waters in Wisconsin and around the world.

Transferring Conservancy lands to other entities can often result in additional conservation by triggering dedication of lands as State Natural Areas. The value of the transferred lands can also provide the necessary match to a grant that funds land acquisition and conservation easements.

“With its impressive conservation performance, strong community support and strategic approach to setting conservation priorities, the Northwoods Land Trust is an important partner in conserving northern Wisconsin’s forests, wild lakes and rivers,” said Matt Dallman, Conservancy Director of Conservation in Northern Wisconsin.

Read more about Holmboe Conifer Forest.

Learn more about the Northwoods Land Trust.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.