Conservation groups and developers often find themselves on opposing sides when it comes to deciding how available land should be used.
But during the past five years, the Caledonia Conservancy and Racine developer Ray Leffler have collaborated to preserve about 25 acres of the Tabor Woods Natural Area.
The conservancy, a non-profit land trust dedicated to protecting the village's rural character, completed its purchase of 13.5 acres of the old-growth woods from Leffler in May for $172,000.
The group purchased 11.5 acres of Tabor Woods from Leffler in 2003.
The cost for the two acquisitions was about $312,000.
"It's one of those things you don't hear about often," conservancy President Sandy DeWalt said. "A land trust and developer working together for the community's good. It's pretty impressive."
Conservancy coordinator Kim Poehlman added: "This is a fantastic example of groups with disparate interests working together to achieve a common goal: land protection and sensible development."
Leffler, president of Newport Development, said the land's fair market value was higher than his selling price to the conservancy.
He said he probably would have done what was most profitable when he was younger, but through the "maturation process," he has learned to consider other things.
"It wasn't about the money," Leffler said. "It was about leaving something for future generations that would be fabulous."
Dan Kaemmerer, state Department of Natural Resources' community services specialist, said he is seeing an increasing number of partnerships between developers and land trusts or local governments.
"It's a 'win-win' for all involved," he said. "Developers are recognizing that the preservation of green space and natural resources, as a component of their project, enhances their project and is beneficial to the community while helping local governments and land trusts meet their park land and natural resource preservation goals."
According to the conservancy, Tabor Woods, south of Six Mile Road on the west side of Highway 31, is a remnant of the maple-beech forest that once covered the southern Lake Michigan coastal ecological landscape.
Blue-stemmed goldenrod, blackhaw and prairie trillium are among the endangered plants in the area. Wildlife includes deer, coyotes, wood ducks, raccoons and hawks.
Plan includes trails
Plans for the areas include hiking and horse trails that will be open to the public. A Boy Scout completing his Eagle Scout project is helping to prepare the trails for use.
The area will be maintained according to a stewardship plan approved by the Department of Natural Resources. No motorized vehicles or bicycles will be allowed.
The newly acquired portion of Tabor Woods will be named Wendy McCalvy Tabor Woods, in honor of the conservancy board member and longtime environmental advocate.
The DNR provided a $162,500 matching grant toward the purchase of the land. The conservancy raised the majority of the remaining balance through donations from individuals, organizations and businesses.
The group also had to take out a $16,000 line of credit with Johnson Bank.
"We're still looking for $16,000," DeWalt said. "We need any extra money we can get to pay off the bill."
Protecting the land, however, is worth the cost, she said.
"It's just a wonderful habitat," she said. "It's a beautiful place, absolutely gorgeous."
Land purchase
Since being founded in 1994, the conservancy has acquired more than 88 acres of land for protection purposes.
In addition to Tabor Woods, the group has purchased 28 1/2 acres of the Trout Ponds Prairie, west of Highway 31 south of Four Mile Road. In collaboration with landowners, the conservancy also helps maintain more than 22 miles of public and private trails in Caledonia.
DeWalt said the group is just trying to do what any land trust should.
"Preserving the land for the future," she said.
A picnic and dedication of the newly acquired land is planned for Sept. 30.Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
