MADISON, WI — Nearly 2,000 acres along Wisconsin’s Lower Sugar River are now permanently protected after Ducks Unlimited and Groundswell Conservancy partnered to preserve the land in Rock County. The project is being described as one of the most significant conservation efforts in southern Wisconsin in recent years.
The property, once known as the former Applegate-Bader Farm, gives the region a large new stretch of wetlands, forests, prairies and floodplain habitat. It also creates a stronger connection to nearby protected land, helping wildlife move through a broader corridor while keeping the landscape open to the public for recreation.
A record-setting conservation deal for two long-time partners
The acquisition stands out for both organizations. Groundswell Conservancy says it is the largest land protection project in its 43-year history, while Ducks Unlimited calls it its largest conservation acquisition in Wisconsin.
The parcel borders the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area and State Natural Area and includes more than two miles of Sugar River frontage. That setting makes it especially valuable for waterfowl, fish, pollinators and other species that rely on connected habitat along river bottoms and floodplains…