Happy Arbor Day and a new AVA

[Glacial Lakes Conservancy]

Happy Arbor Day!

1) GLC'S MAY 5TH CELEBRATION LUNCH & GUIDED LAND WALK EVENT - TIME TO
R.S.V.P.

We are gearing up for this celebration event on Saturday, May 5th, to
honor Mary & Gary Drohmans' special conservation easement project with
GLC. Tom Tittl says he's planning to cook some special italian beef
for sandwiches that we will serve up on Sheboygan hard rolls. Mary is
whipping up some kind of special dessert that goes with their maple
syrup. Lunch will be followed with a nice guided nature walk as long
as it doesn't rain. Give us a call to register by May 3rd or for more
information.

2) THE NEW WISCONSIN LEDGE AVA - AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREA!

Wisconsin now has a major wine growing region.

Four days ago, beginning on April 23, 2012, regional wineries in our
community began to label their products as 'Wisconsin Ledge' for being
grown on part of the Niagara escarpment corridor, which contains
unique underlying geology, soils and climate conditions making it
especially conducive to grape growing and wine production right here
in east central and northeast Wisconsin.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Trout Springs Winery owner Steve
DeBaker, who's vision and dedication of seven years helped to pull in
others to dream this dream...like Eric Fowle of the East Central
Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and founding co-chair of the
Niagara Escarpment Resource Network, Jim Kettler of the Lakeshore
Natural Resource Partnership, as well as other grape growers and wine
producers. For more information about this and more, please visit
www.escarpmentnetwork.org.

3) NIAGARA ESCARPMENT ADDED TO WISCONSIN'S CONSERVATION PRIORITY LIST

Lands along the Niagara Escarpment have been added to the priority
list for a state conservation program. Wisconsin's section of the
escarpment extends 230 miles through Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Manitowoc,
Calumet, Fond du Lac, Dodge, and Waukesha counties

The bill, authored by State Rep. Al Ott (R-Forest Junction) and
recently signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker, allows for the state to
buy land along the escarpment. The funds would come from the Warren
Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program. Under current law, the DNR
uses the Stewardship Program to acquire land for conservation
purposes. Wisconsin gives priority to certain types of land
acquisitions, which also includes projects from land trusts.

The Niagara escarpment is a conservation priority of Glacial Lakes
Conservancy, who can offer private landowner conservation easements as
an alternative to the state's program. GLC is also working with the
Friends of the Ledge group to gear up an effort to spread the word
about GLC and conservation options to landowners in Fond du Lac Co.

Please contact GLC if you would like to learn more.

Have a great weekend!
Vickie Hall