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Why You Should Visit
At this preserve you'll be able to hike through a portion of Wisconsin's North Woods. The 15 wild lakes and ponds at the preserve—with names like Upper and Lower Aimer, Knife, Battine, Bug, and Canteen—host a rich diversity of fish and other aquatic species. The surrounding forests provide habitat for many native plants and wildlife species.
Why TNC Selected This Site
The Wolter acquisition is significant because it protects nearly 10 miles of undeveloped shoreline on 15 wild lakes and ponds in northern Wisconsin. The preserve encompasses some of the last remaining lakes in northern Wisconsin where the native fish populations thrive with limited human influence.
What TNC Has Done/Is Doing
TNC bought the first piece of land at the preserve from Mrs. Catherine Wolter, a long-time resident of the Presque Isle area, in June, 2000. Mrs. Wolter, and her late husband Fred Wolter, had owned and cared for the property for 58 years. Today the protected land at the preserve totals 2,654 acres (including a 13-acre conservation easement).
At TNC's request, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee initiated a study of the lakes and ground water at the preserve in October of 2000. They studied water flow and quality at the site and made a thorough inventory of the plant and animal life in the lakes. TNC used the information from the study to help guide management and access decisions at the preserve.
