Great Hiking Protected Near Rib Lake

Terminal moraine is the prized landform of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. It makes for great hiking, beautiful scenery and roughly defines the route of the Ice Age Trail. But to hike the entire Ice Age Trail involves walking only about 12 miles of terminal moraine.

So the protection of a 156-acre property on the terminal moraine in Taylor County is an especially exciting accomplishment. The Ice Age Trail Alliance announced the news today in a press release. The purchase will permanently protect the route of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail through the property--part of a larger effort to create a premier hike between Rib Lake and a vast block of Taylor County Forest. Already known in Ice Age Trail circles for its August Ice Age Days, the Rustic Inn and Camp 28, the future looks even greener for Rib Lake!

Kevin Thusius, the Alliance's Director of Land Conservation, stated, "We feel very lucky to be able to protect this property so generations of Ice Age Trail users can enjoy it." The property also features an old growth stand of oak and pine.

A Grand-Pappy on the Property

The Alliance is planning to relocate the existing route of the Trail through the property. It currently runs on a wide gravel woods road but will be redesigned into a more natural footpath that allows pedestrians to enjoy the outstanding geologic features under the canopy of mature woods. A public parking lot along State Highway 102 is also planned to provide better public access to the Trail.

The property was purchased by the Alliance within the seller’s timeline with financing from The Conservation Fund’s Land Conservation Loan Program. The Alliance is seeking funds from the state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to finance the purchase and repay the loan.

"Recognizing a serious threat to the natural viewshed enjoyed by hikers on the Ice Age Trail, the Alliance swiftly developed a conservation strategy to save the historical landscape." said Reggie Hall, Director of the Fund’s LCLP. "We’re honored to provide quick financial assistance to the Alliance for this effort to preserve and enhance access to significant geographic features along the beloved scenic trail."

The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a nonprofit volunteer- and member-based organization established in 1958 that works to build, maintain and promote the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. One of only 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail is a thousand-mile footpath that highlights Wisconsin's world-renowned Ice Age heritage and natural resources. Visit www.iceagetrail.org to learn more.

The Conservation Fund is a top-ranked, national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting America’s favorite places before they become just a memory. A hallmark of the Fund’s work is the deep, unwavering understanding that for conservation solutions to last, they need to make economic sense. Through its Land Conservation Loan Program, the Fund provides bridge financing and real estate expertise to help land trusts conserve historic farms, natural areas, favorite community parks and more. Learn more at www.conservationfund.org.