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 in 2003.
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.
By the end of 2004, 7 conservation easements have been completed. 100 acres of land and one mile of shoreline are protected.
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.
The first land donation is received creating the Thunder Lake Conservation Area.
By the end of 2006, 23 conservation easements have been completed. 2,000 acres of land and 8 miles of shoreline are protected.
The Land Stewardship Fund exceeds $100,000, ensuring NWLT can monitor and defend its conserved lands.
Image: Thunder Lake Conservation Area
2007 – 2008
The 2007 Wisconsin Land Trust of the Year Award is awarded to NWLT.
2007 – 2008
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.
By the end of 2008, 41 conservation easements have been completed, and 2 conservation areas (preserves) established. 4,000 acres of land and 10 miles of shoreline are protected.
2009 – 2010
A total of 50 conservation easements and land donations are completed with area families.
2009 – 2010
A total of 50 conservation projects have been 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.
By the end of 2010, 51 conservation easements have been completed, and 3 conservation areas (preserves) established. 5,000 protected acres of land and 28 miles of shoreline is reached.
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.
By the end of 2015, 73 conservation easements have been completed, and 5 conservation areas (preserves) established. 10,000 acres of land and 51 miles of shoreline are protected.
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.
By the end of 2020, 92 conservation easements have been completed, and 24 conservation areas (preserves) established. 14,000 protected acres of land and 75 miles of shoreline is reached.
2026
NWLT celebrates 25 years of local, trusted conservation.
2026 - Present
NWLT celebrates 25 years of local, trusted conservation.
2026 – 2030
The Bass Lake Preserve is donated.
xxxxxxx
xxxxx
xxxxxx
Image:
2021 – 2025
15,700 acres of protected land and 88 miles of shoreline reached.
2021 – 2025
The Beaver Creek Hemlocks Conservation Area is established.
The Tillicum Conservation Area is donated.
The Tower Nibiiwan Conservation Area is donated.
The Pinkerton Thunder Lake Conservation Area is donated.
The Springstead Muskeg and Little Bear Creek Conservation Areas are established.
NWLT renews its national Land Trust Accreditation.
A new, color logo is designed to represent the woods meeting the water.
The Yawkey Forest Reserve and Holmboe Conifer Forest expand in size.
Acting president, John Huppert, passes away.
The First Lakes Preserve is donated.
The 100th conservation easement is donated.
Buechner Butternut Lake Conservation Area is donated.
The Svend Bramsen Preserve is donated.
By the end of 2025, 104 conservation easements have been completed, and 35 conservation areas (preserves) established.
15,700 protected acres of land with 88 miles of shoreline is reached.