Jefferson County Land & Water Conservation Department Receives ‘Working Lands Preservation Award’ From Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts

Jefferson County’s Land and Water Conservation Department is being recognized for its land preservation efforts with the “Working Lands Preservation Award.” The annual Land Conservation Leadership Awards – presented by Gathering Waters-Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts - recognizes individual and organizational efforts to protect Wisconsin’s land, water and wildlife.

“We’re thrilled to receive this award for our work to protect the natural resources and character thatmake our county a special place,” said Jefferson County Administrator Michael Luckey. “Based on significant community input, the county’s strategic plan guides our decisions to be intentional in our land use decisions. With this approach, we work to ensure land use harmonizes with our environment, preserves our unique identity and sense of place, and improves the quality of life for residents.”

According to Gathering Waters, the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD), directed by Patricia Cicero, has preserved Wisconsin's working lands through their innovative programs and partnerships. Jefferson County works to achieve intentional growth while maintaining a strong focus on working lands conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.

The news release from Gathering Waters emphasized that:

Jefferson County has worked “to achieve intentional growth while maintaining a strong focus on working lands conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.”

Through this program, the Jefferson County LWCD has successfully protected 1,122 acres of agricultural land through 10 easements, which will keep 35 lots in agriculture instead of being split off for rural development.

The LWCD manages the county's Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) program, established in 2007, which protects high-quality farmland through donated and purchased conservation easements.

Margaret Burlingham, a public member of the Land and Water Conservation Committee – a county appointed committee - and a participant in the PACE program, added, “Our purchase of development rights and donated programs are giving farmers’ confidence that they will be able to conduct their agricultural businesses and protect their farmland for future generations.”

Burlingham added that PACE started in the zoning department as a Jefferson County commission, charged with developing the PACE program. PACE was then merged into LWCD.

The LWCD assists farmers through numerous conservation initiatives including the Farmland Preservation Program, which benefits farm owners who adopt soil and water quality standards. The department also provides landowners with funding to help implement a wide variety of conservation practices including cover crops, harvestable filter strips, pasture establishment, rain gardens, and shoreland restoration projects.

After conducting a county-wide groundwater study with UW-Stevens Point, the LWCD and the county's Health Department formed a partnership to inform rural residents about the importance of well water testing and provide education resources on groundwater quality protection and treatment options.

The LWCD has strengthened its agricultural protection efforts through strategic collaboration opportunities, including joining the Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership, led by American Farmland Trust. This partnership supports farmers and landowners looking to protect their legacy by slowing the loss of vital agricultural land.

Gathering Waters is a nonprofit organization that helps land trusts, landowners, and communities permanently protect the places that make Wisconsin special. Gathering Waters strengthens 40+ member land trusts throughout the state by advocating for government funding, providing tools, resources, and education opportunities, and increasing statewide awareness of land trusts.

L-R: Margaret Burlingham, Gerald Kokkonen, David Hoffman, and Patricia Cicero. Margaret has been involved with PACE from the start and is currently the PACE representative on the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Committee. She and her husband donated agricultural land to the program, which is where the photo is taken.