Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Whitewater is designated an Ice Age Trail Community.

Another 40.1 acres of land in Dane County has been permanently protected for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

On December 22, the Ice Age Trail Alliance closed on a Town of Dane property, which is adjacent to the Lodi Marsh State Wildlife Area, near the Lodi Marsh Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

The new property will provide at least one-half mile of new Ice Age Trail plus a loop trail, and much-needed area for camping.

“The mix of mature forest and open views make this property a wonderful addition to the Ice Age Trail,” says Kevin Thusius, Director of Land Conservation for the Alliance.

Funding for the $495,000 acquisition came from Alliance member support, the land fund of the Alliance’s Dane County Chapter, as well as the generosity of Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust.

The Alliance will seek grant reimbursement for the land purchase from Dane County’s Conservation Fund and the Wisconsin Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund.

This acquisition is the ninth for the Alliance in 2021; making this its most successful year of land protection in 30 years.

Protecting land is the first step to creating—and ultimately completing—the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. 

“A number of elements aligned this year for the Alliance,” says Thusius. “Landowners looking to sell land combined with the financial support of our donors and supporters, enabled us to move quickly to protect significant property, which will help extend the Trail.”

In addition to the property in Dane County, the Alliance protected:

• 3 properties in Langlade County
• 1 property in each of the following counties: Polk, Waushara, Taylor, Washington, and Portage

Once land is protected, the Alliance develops a management plan, which determines property uses and future developments such as trail and camping locations. While planning is underway, state and federal reviews take place. Once approvals are received, construction can begin on trails and parking lots, boundaries are marked, and signage is put up.  

The Ice Age Trail Alliance continuously seeks opportunities to protect land within the up-to-three-mile-wide corridor identified by the National Park Service as the route for the National Scenic Trail. Currently, 675 miles of the nearly 1,200-mile Trail is blazed hiking trail, ready for use. The remainder of the route follows rural highways and backroads. 

About the Ice Age National Scenic Trail:

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin. It traverses the state from St. Croix Falls in the west, to Sturgeon Bay in the east, going as far south as Janesville. One of 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail highlights the landscapes that were carved out by ancient glaciers, which happen to be some of the most beautiful areas in the state. Approximately 60% of Wisconsin residents live within 20 miles of the Ice Age Trail.

About the Ice Age Trail Alliance:

The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a non-profit, member and volunteer-based organization which conserves, creates, maintains, and promotes the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For more information on our work, visit iceagetrail.org.