Cherokee Marsh gets preservation funds
The preservation of Cherokee Marsh received a major boost today with the announcement of the purchase of 259 acres of wetlands and uplands, thanks to more than $3 million in grants from the state Stewardship Fund and monies from Dane County and the city of Madison.
The purchase was announced this morning by County Executive Kathleen Falk and Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.
The state Department of Natural Resources contributed $1.5 million through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, with the city contributing $779,000 and the county contributing $794,000. The city will become the owner.
The land being purchased is owned by Dennis Tiziani's Cherokee Park Inc.
"What better way to celebrate Earth Week than for the county to give these dollars to help preserve these pristine natural areas for citizens to enjoy forever," Falk said in prepared remarks at a news conference this morning.
The purchase includes 236 acres of wetlands in Cherokee Marsh and 23 acres of upland habitat along the Yahara River.
A bicycle and pedestrian trail is planned for the upland area to connect the northern and southern parts of Cherokee Marsh.
"This historic acquisition is only possible thanks to an unprecedented partnership between the city, the county, the state, the nonprofit community and the property owner," Cieslewicz said.
"I can't think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day than to move forward with the largest land conservation purchase in city history."
The Natural Heritage Land Trust, a Madison-based conservation group, is coordinating the grants and the purchase of the property. It's the third project the trust has worked on for the Cherokee Marsh in the organization's 25-year history.
"Cherokee Marsh is one of the most well-known landscapes in Madison and Dane County," said Jim Welsh, executive director of the land trust. "We are proud to be able to help secure funding for this acquisition, the largest unprotected part of the marsh's south side."
File photo
Cherokee Marsh viewed from Cherokee Marsh Dog Park recently.
