Full Breakdown
Ducks Unlimited and Groundswell Conservancy Protect 2,000 Acres Along Wisconsin’s Lower Sugar River
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Conservation Acquisition
On July 8, 2026, Ducks Unlimited (DU) and the Groundswell Conservancy announced a partnership to permanently protect nearly 2,000 acres of the former Applegate-Bader Farm in Rock County, Wisconsin. The land borders the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area and State Natural Area and includes more than two miles of Lower Sugar River frontage, high-quality wetlands, forests, prairies, and floodplain habitat. The project was funded through a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program grant administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, private donors, and partner organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Pheasants Forever.
Context and Key Details
The acquisition represents the largest land-protection effort in Groundswell’s 43-year history and DU’s biggest conservation purchase in Wisconsin. The protected corridor is identified by the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory as a critical wildlife corridor and one of the region’s largest remaining floodplain landscapes. By safeguarding this stretch, the project aims to improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and enhance landscape resilience for surrounding communities. Public-access provisions required by the Knowles-Nelson program will allow hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This project demonstrates what is possible when conservation organizations, generous landowners, donors, and public partners unite behind a shared vision,” — Brian Glenzinski, Ducks Unlimited Director of Conservation Programs – Upper Midwest
- “As a local land trust, we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with an international organization in Ducks Unlimited to protect this very significant resource for southern Wisconsin,” — Groundswell Executive Director Heidi, said groundswell executive
What’s Next
Following a dedication ceremony, the property is slated for transfer to the Wisconsin DNR for permanent ownership and long-term stewardship. Once under DNR management, the site will be opened for the range of recreational activities outlined in the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, ensuring ongoing public benefit and habitat protection.