New KRLT Executive Director Steve Leonard updated us on the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. For 30 years, KRLT has worked with the community to protect the Kinnickinnic watershed (from north of Hammond and Roberts down to the Kinnickinnic State Park). The presentation focused on the recent purchase of the Community Forest: community support which made it possible; future plans to make the trails more accessible; and how local schools will use this site and the adjacent School Forest as an outdoor classroom.
The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust was founded in 1993. It operates solely within the Kinnickinnic watershed of 170 square miles. It has protected over 3,000 acres with 1,800 acres under conservation easement and has transferred 940 acres to the DNR. KRLT owns and manages four preserves. Land within preserves is restored to prairie, and the KRLT protects the indigenous species or re-introduces indigenous species that had been removed.
KRLT’s four preserves are the Headwaters Preserve of 47 acres, the Kelly Creek Preserve of 73 acres, the Community Forest of 44 acres, and the Drewiske Preserve of 45 acres. Steve described plans to add an educational building, restrooms, and storage to be built in a designated area of the school forest. Planning is also underway to design and construct “universal trails” that allow for people with disabilities to experience the forest (including wheelchair access).
About the Speaker: Steve Leonard started at KRLT in January. He comes from The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, WI. He was a Rotarian for ten years or so and a Paul Harris Fellow with the Door County North Rotary Club.