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Nature Conservancy Expands Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area

MINOCQUA, WISCONSIN — July 20, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy announced today that it has protected an additional 60 acres at the Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area in Vilas County, expanding the preserve to 2,249 acres.

The gently rolling, forested land is located on the north shore of Rudolph Lake and includes approximately 1,135 feet of shoreline.

The previous owner had subdivided the land to develop seven residential lots, three of which would have been located on the lakeshore.

"It was important to protect this land from development," said Matt Dallman, the Conservancy's director of conservation in northern Wisconsin.

"Increased development on this property would have fragmented the woods, diminishing the quality of habitat for wide-ranging animals and migratory songbirds and could have led to increased introductions of non-native, invasive species like Eurasian water milfoil and garlic mustard."

The Conservancy has applied for a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund grant to cover a portion of the purchase price and is actively fundraising for the additional $414,000 needed to complete the purchase.

"Gifts from individuals will make the difference in saving this important place," said Mary Jean Huston, Conservancy director in Wisconsin. "It's a wonderful opportunity for those of us who love the Northwoods to join Catherine Wolter in protecting a very special piece of it for everyone to enjoy."

Catherine Wolter was an avid outdoorswoman who loved her land in Vilas County in Wisconsin's Northwoods. Before she died in 2001, she sold more than 2,000 acres to The Nature Conservancy, donating more than a quarter of the value to ensure it would be protected for future generations.

The Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area is part of the 24,000-acre Border Lakes area, which links the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan with Wisconsin's Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. It is an important travel corridor for large mammals.

"Keeping large expanses of forest intact will only become more important for wildlife as they adapt to changes in their habitat as a result of climate change," Dallman added.

Management of the new land will be the same as the rest of the Wilderness Area, and it will be open to the public for hiking, fishing, hunting, bird-watching and other recreational activities.

For more information, visit the Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area web page or call the Minocqua office at (715) 358-6305.

Through Labor Day, the Conservancy is hosting an exhibit called "Saving What We Love" at 420 Oneida Street, Clock Tower Centre, in Minocqua. The exhibit features Nature Conservancy conservation projects in northern Wisconsin and across the state. It is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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 1 million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 120 million acres worldwide. In Wisconsin, the Conservancy has helped conserve more than 140,000 acres since 1960. The Conservancy has more than 21,000 members in Wisconsin and offices in Madison, Baraboo, East Troy, Minocqua and Sturgeon Bay.