Our History
Scroll through our history
Interact with the images below to learn more.
2001 – 2002
Northwoods Land Trust is Incorporated
2001 – 2002
The Northwoods Land Trust (NWLT) is incorporated with an original service area of Vilas, Oneida and Forest Counties.
NWLT receives its IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption determination.
Volunteers help design the original loon on a lake logo.
Our Land Stewardship Fund for annual monitoring and legal defense of conservation properties is created.
Photo by Bev Enstrom
2003 – 2004
100 protected acres of land and one mile of shoreline is reached.
2003 – 2004
The first two conservation easements are donated in Vilas County.
The Preserving Mother Earth land trust group in Lac du Flambeau merges into NWLT.
The first executive director, Bryan Pierce, is hired with support from a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Lake Protection Grant.
100 protected acres of land and one mile of shoreline is reached.
The service area is expanded to include Florence, Iron and Price Counties.
2005 – 2006
The first land donation is received creating the Thunder Lake Conservation Area.
2005 – 2006
The first five-year strategic plan is adopted by the Board of Directors.
2,000 protected acres of land and eight miles of shoreline is reached.
The first land donation is received creating the Thunder Lake Conservation Area.
Our Land Stewardship Fund exceeds $100,000.
Image: Thunder Lake Conservation Area
2007 – 2008
The 2007 Wisconsin Land Trust of the Year Award is awarded to NWLT.
2007 – 2008
3,000 protected acres of land and 10 miles of protected shorelines is reached.
The 2007 Wisconsin Land Trust of the Year Award is awarded to NWLT.
The Holmboe Conifer Forest State Natural Area ownership is transferred from The Nature Conservancy.
4,000 protected acres is reached.
2009 – 2010
A total of 50 conservation easements and land donations are completed with area families.
2009 – 2010
5,000 protected acres of land and 28 miles of shoreline is reached.
A total of 50 conservation easements and land donations are completed with area families.
The first ‘trade land’ property is donated for the intent of resale to support our mission.
Our service area is expanded to include the northern portion of Langlade County.
The Dugan Squash Lake Nature Preserve is donated.
Image: Dugan Squash Lake Nature Preserve
2011 – 2015
NWLT is awarded national Land Trust Accreditation.
2011 – 2015
NWLT celebrates 10 years.
The massive Winter Park Pines Conservation Easement is signed protecting public access to lands around Minocqua Winter Park.
The Crawling Stone Woods Preserve is donated.
NWLT is awarded national Land Trust Accreditation.
NWLT purchases a building in Eagle River for its permanent office location.
The Interstate Falls property is purchased (and later transferred to the Town of Kimball).
An expanded federal conservation easement tax incentive is made permanent by Congress.
10,000 protected acres of land and 51 miles of shoreline is reached.
2016 – 2020
14,000 protected acres of land and 75 miles of shoreline is reached.
2016 – 2020
The Marshall Wildlife Conservation Area is donated.
Land is purchased creating the Dan Wisniewski Deerskin River Preserve.
Land and conservation easements in the Border Lakes Region are donated from the Last Wilderness Conservation Association.
The Yawkey Forest Reserve is donated (with over four miles of shoreline included!).
NWLT renews its national Land Trust Accreditation.
Land is purchased creating the Sack Lake Hemlocks Conservation Area.
Bryan Pierce retires and Ted Anchor is welcomed as executive director.
The Walter “Len” Hilgart Flambeau River Preserve is donated.
14,000 protected acres of land and 75 miles of shoreline is reached.
Image: Yawkey Forest Reserve
2021 – Today
NWLT celebrates 20 years.
2021 – Today
NWLT celebrates 20 years.
Land is purchased creating the Beaver Creek Hemlocks Conservation Area and new trails are developed.
Our first strategic conservation plan with geographic focus areas is developed.
The Tillicum Conservation Area is donated.
The Tower Nibiiwan Conservation Area is donated.
The Pinkerton Thunder Lake Conservation Area is donated.
15,000 protected acres of land with 82 miles of shoreline is reached.
Image: Beaver Creek Hemlocks Conservation Area
