County, Prairie Enthusiasts to buy Pleasure Valley easement

October 19, 2007
Topf Wells, Office of the County Executive (608) 266-9069
County Executive

Acquisition preserves wildlife habitat, promotes conservation Dane County will partner with The Prairie Enthusiasts to buy a 157.5-acre conservation easement in the Pleasure Valley Natural Resource Area in southwest Dane County to promote conservation and preserve wildlife habitat for generations to come. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said “an exceptional view of the property is visible from an area of Blue Mound State Park, east of that park’s observation tower. The property is near Brigham County Park. The property also is adjacent to a 130-acre conservation easement held by the County and the Prairie Enthusiasts that together means 296 acres of critical wildlife habitat is protected,” Falk said. The price of the conservation easement is $620,000 plus an additional $5,000 for the Right of First Refusal. The Prairie Enthusiasts have received a $310,000 grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund of the state Department of Natural Resources. These grant dollars will go toward the purchase price – with the remaining $315,000 coming from the county. “Dane County will not move forward with the purchase if the Stewardship grant becomes unavailable,” she said. The purchase resolution has been approved by the Dane County Board of Supervisors and signed by Falk this week. # # #