NWLT acted quickly to purchase 40 acres of privately owned land that was for sale in Springstead in southern Iron County to add to the vast framework of protected lands in an ecologically significant region.

On three sides, the now named ‘Springstead Muskeg 40’ is bordered by the Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area, and to its south the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Price County.

The Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area was designated in 2002 as a way to conserve a representative sample of the state’s biological diversity. It is one of the 694 State Natural Areas (SNA) formed since 1951, when this first-in-the-nation nature preserve system was started by the Wisconsin legislature. Collectively, the SNA lands account for only about 1% of Wisconsin’s land base, yet the vast majority of rare plant and animal species are located there. 

One-third of SNA lands are owned by organizations and agencies other than the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. NWLT will determine in the future if it wishes to designate or dedicate the Springstead Muskeg 40 as a part of the adjoining State Natural Area.

To read the full story, view our fall 2023 newsletter. 

The expenses related to this project were supported by grants from the Caerus Foundation and Wisconsin Land Fund and a gift from an anonymous donor.