Conservancy adds 240 acres in Monroe County

Land has same habitat on
it now as 12,000 years ago

Another couple hundred acres set aside by the Mississippi Valley Conservancy. 

The organization announced a new easement acquisition that will preserve 240 acres in Monroe county near Wilton.

The property belongs to John Durbrow and Karen Steingraber. The couple has conveyed a conservation easement to the La Crosse-based MVC. The couple can continue to use the land as they have under the easement but it will remain free from development in the future. 

Executive director of the MVC Carol Abrahamzon says one of the most important aspects of the tract of land is that it has the same habitat on it now than it had 12,000 years ago. 

“The trees from 12,000 years ago aren’t there but that type of tree is still there,” Abrahamzon said. “That type of habitat is still there.”

The MVC has preserved over 16,000 acres through similar arrangements throughout southwestern Wisconsin.