Project helps fulfill a dream to protect water and wildlife for future generations.
LA CROSSE, WI – A serene 33-acre property hidden among the pines along Halls Creek, north of Black River Falls, is now forever protected by a conservation easement with Mississippi Valley Conservancy, a local nonprofit land trust. Since 2006, a half-mile stretch of the creek, surrounding wetlands, pine-oak forests, and a special white pine named “Princess,” have been lovingly nurtured by Christine (Chris) Kelley and Jerry Schmidt. Their hard work has created a diverse property that is a haven for wildlife, including rare plants, animals, birds, and aquatic species – all in an area that’s been subject to an increasing amount of development in recent years.
The property’s many native habitats and varied topography include pine and oak forests, dry and moist cliffs, forested seep, and diverse wetlands along a half mile of Halls Creek. Halls Creek is designated as an aquatic Conservation Opportunity Area in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan for its diverse invertebrate and aquatic species. These natural communities provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife that includes pine warblers in the pine-oak forests, Louisianna waterthrush utilizing the diverse water resources, and mammals including beaver, black bear, coyote, porcupine, among others. Halls Creek is also a popular canoeing and kayaking destination and provides an exceptional scenic resource from the water for anglers, canoeists, and kayakers –scenery that is now permanently preserved.
When they purchased the property nearly 20 years ago, the wooded areas were dark and hundreds of black oaks were dead or dying of oak wilt disease. Jerry’s forestry degree came in handy as they set out to transform the property. They spent the first five years cleaning up the wooded areas by removing dead and downed trees and brush to allow more sunlight to filter in for the benefit of young oak and pine trees. Then they went to work planting more than 5,000 trees – a mix of mostly red and white pine. Jerry recalls, “One summer, for 60 straight days, we watered from 5:30 in the morning until almost 10 o'clock at night. We would finish watering and then we'd start the whole cycle over again because it was so dry. These are our babies. We didn't want to lose them.”
They shared what inspired them to work with the Conservancy, “When you walk the trails and see what’s there, you can imagine kids playing in the creek, experiencing nature. That’s what we’re striving for now. It’s not about us anymore. It’s about our grandkids and future generations. We want a place where kids can come and just be part of nature.” Chris and Jerry first learned of the Conservancy when conservation director Abbie Church gave a presentation to Friends of the Black River – a citizen’s watershed conservation organization. “They’re passionate about what they do, she just sold us on the idea of an easement”.
According to Chris Kirkpatrick, Mississippi Valley Conservancy conservation manager, “The ecological, geological, scenic, and water resources of the Kelley & Schmidt property make it an exceptional conservation easement project. In addition to offering a scenic experience for paddlers traveling through the property, protecting the diverse habitats and complex wetlands along Halls Creek is an important climate strategy and will ensure the property will be more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as flooding, which has been more prevalent in the area over the last two decades.”
Top photo: Scenic view along Halls Creek surrounded by wetlands, cliffs, and forested seeps. The 33-acre property is permanently protected by a conservation easement with Mississippi Valley Conservancy. The creek is a popular destination for paddlers and anglers.
