2011 Annual Report (PDF 2.2 MB) - Driftless Area Land Conservancy

ANNUAL REPORT
Driftless Area
Land Conservancy
A non-profit conservation
organization dedicated to
protecting the rural
landscape and quality of
life in Southwest Wisconsin.
This includes protection of
farms, forests, grasslands,
wetlands, soils, and the
natural beauty of the area.
In This Issue
ANNUAL REPORT | 2011
Message from the
Director
Conservation Policy
in Review
Dry Dog Conservation
Easements Protect
781 Acres
A Warm Welcome
to Wondrel Farms
Protecting Ancient
Forest Relicts
2011 Highlights
Our Donors
Financial Report
Looking Forward
2
2
3
5
5
6
9
10
Baum Kay
11 Mary
a newsletter from the Driftless Area Land Conservancy
ANNUAL
REPORT
2 0 1 1

ANNUAL REPORT
David Clutter
Each and
every one of
you made a
difference for
Southwest
Wisconsin.
Driftless Area
Land Conservancy
PO Box 323
338 N Iowa Street
Dodgeville, WI 53533
608.930.3252
www.driftlessconservancy.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark Mittelstadt – President
David Kopitzke – Vice President
Alice Godfrey – Secretary
Harry Hellen – Treasurer
Jason Dinges
Lynda Lynch
Jim O’Brien
Steve Thompson
STAFF
David Clutter – Executive Director
Jenna Assmus – Membership and
Communications Coordinator
Madelin Jensen – Conservation
Assistant
VOLUNTEERS
Anne Bachner, Tom and Pam Jensen,
Rob McCalla, Brenda Mittelstadt,
Greg Petz, Jim Steil, Mary Kay Baum,
Gay Gibbons
A Note from the Director
In this 2011 Annual Report we are pleased to share inspiring
stories of conservation, recap many of our activities over the
past year, and underscore how each and every one of YOU
made a difference for Southwest Wisconsin. This year, with
your support, we protected 8 new properties and 916 acres
of oak savannas and forests, prairie remnants, pine relicts,
springs and trout streams, important working farms, and
lands that buffer state trails and State Natural Areas. Based
on our current number of members that means that this past
year we protected 6 acres per Driftless Area Land
Conservancy supporter!
And when I say “we,” that includes all who devoted their
time, financial support, expertise and passion to helping
achieve our mission of protecting the rural landscape and
quality of life in Southwest Wisconsin. The board and staff of
the Driftless Area Land Conservancy would like to sincerely
thank each and every one of you for your role in helping
conserve the unique lands, waters, wildlife, and working
farms in this special part of the world.
For many reasons 2011 was an extraordinarily exciting and
fulfilling year; not least of which was the birth of our second
child, Willem. Though he was born at 1:13 AM on 1 January
2012, my wife, Meredith, and I can attest – she more so than
I – to his impact on our lives during the latter half of the year.
As I think of Willem and our daughter Colette, I can’t help
but contemplate the work of the Conservancy within the
context of our children’s lives. I believe most if not all of us
wish to leave the world in better shape than we found it. And
I believe that is precisely what the Conservancy does.
Conservation Policy in Review
Two important state conservation programs, both utilized by
the Conservancy, took some tough knocks this past year;
however, the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program – administered
by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources –
and the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements
Program (PACE) – administered by Wisconsin Department
of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protections – both
remained more or less intact.
Governor Walker’s budget included Stewardship Program
funding at the previously authorized level of $60 million a
year – a relatively minor $15 million dollar per year reduction
from previous years. The program also experienced some administrative
changes that may or may not have lasting effects
on program implementation. Overall we are very grateful that
the program will remain largely intact and continue to protect
the important natural resources of Wisconsin.
With regard to the PACE program, the Conservancy is fortunate
for two reasons: 1) The first round of PACE projects was
I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to work
with such a passionate and committed group of members,
conservation partners, volunteers, board and staff, and look
forward to building on our collective successes in the coming
years. As we think to the future and envision our organization
and potential role on the landscape, continued feedback from
our members and partners is welcomed and necessary.
Though the board guides our direction, our supporters and
advocates certainly help chart the way. So thank you all for
the outstanding ideas and feedback you’ve provided. Keep it
coming!
We have a very ambitious year ahead of us with a projected
budget roughly 25% greater than 2011. Our land protection,
outreach and education, and organizational development
goals are all more ambitious than our 2011 accomplishments.
And though we recognize the challenge we face in 2012, we
believe our goals are entirely attainable. I am very excited
about our partnership with each of you and look forward to
helping craft a world that we’re proud to leave our children,
grandchildren, and all who inherit this earth.
funded (we have 2 of the 16 approved projects statewide);
and, 2) the Legislature voted to retain the statutory authority
for the PACE program, also signed into Governor Walker’s
budget. However, moving forward, the key funding mechanism
which provided dollars for future easement purchases
– i.e., beyond the first round – was removed. Therefore the
challenge at this time is to find a source of revenue to support
future purchase of agricultural conservation easements in
Wisconsin.
We would like to thank Gathering Waters Conservancy
for their hard work at the Capitol to protect
these two important programs. We would also like to
thank each and every one of YOU who voiced your
support for sustaining these programs and for helping
protect the rural heritage and quality of life of Southwest
Wisconsin.
2 DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 Driftless Area Land Conservancy
Mary Kay Baum

Dry Dog Conservation Easements Protect 781 Acres
One of the Conservancy’s marquee projects in 2011 was the protection of 6 adjacent properties – the Dry
Dog Ranch – covering 781 acres of oak woods, savanna, prairie, springs, streams, rock outcrops, working
lands and significant wildlife habitat in Iowa County. Lying within a mile of the Avoca Unit of the Lower
Wisconsin State Riverway, the recently protected properties serve as an important buffer to state lands.
The Riverway was established in 1989 to protect and preserve the scenic beauty and natural character of
the lower Wisconsin River valley. The Riverway encompasses over 79,000 acres of bluffs, bottomlands,
islands and sandbars along the final 92 miles of the Wisconsin River before it’s confluence with the
Mississippi. We are thrilled and honored to share this story about the landowners’ love of the land and
their decision to protect these important properties for future generations.
in the outdoors decided to purchase 1,000 acres of expansive
woodland, grassland, and agricultural lands off Dry Dog
Road. Initially, they purchased the property with the intent of
securing outstanding hunting and recreational land. Before
long, however, they were planting oak trees, managing the
agricultural lands, and opening areas that were historically
oak savanna and prairie. They met regularly, hunted,
managed their land, socialized, and had plenty of good
laughs. Without a doubt, this wasn’t just any group of
landowners, but a collection of good friends – some of which
had relationships dating back to the 1970s – who all
happened to care about the health of the land.
From the beginning, they clearly understood that land
ownership meant more than simply hunting the land. They
accepted their role as land stewards and recognized they had
their work cut out for them. At the time, the condition of the
Ridge was anything but tip-top. Weeds and invasive plants
overran fallow farmland, saplings and young trees dominated
the prairie remnants, some of the forested areas showed
signs of high grade timber harvests and at least three junk
piles were located throughout the properties. About 12 miles
of internal fencing dissected the fields, cattle had roamed the
woods and a handful of old building sites endured. The Dry
Dog folks, along with friends and families, got to work,
pulling down fences, clearing the junk, and decommissioning
the dilapidated and forgotten buildings.
Dry Dog Landowners Nearly 20 years ago, five friends who had a common interest
A historic barn found on Dale Moody’s property.
Dry Dog Landowners
Though degraded, this property contained many outstanding
– and continentally important – Driftless Area features.
Rolling hills, steep slopes, rock outcrops, working lands, deep
ravines, secluded valleys, oak woods and savannas, prairies,
springs, streams, open grasslands, and other unique features
formed a mosaic of beauty and natural habitat. With an eye
toward restoring these natural communities and wildlife
Driftless Area Land Conservancy DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 3
Dry Dog Ranch
A collection of
good friends
who happen
to care about
the land.
ABOVE: Dale Moody, Jim Miller,
Russ Moody, Eliot Protsch,
Richard Grossenbach gather on
their property.
Our thanks also go out to
Alliant Energy Foundation
who served as an important
conservation partner by
providing assistance to
support the Conservancy and
the long-term monitoring of
the properties through their
employee match program.
“We are pleased to provide a
gift of over $18,000 through
the Alliant Energy Foundation
Matching Gift program in
support of this conservation
easement gift from two of our
Alliant Energy retirees,” said
Julie Bauer, Executive Director,
Alliant Energy Foundation.

Dry Dog Ranch
Dry Dog Ranch Conservation Easements, Town of Pulaski, Iowa County
They began
to contemplate
how to
permanently
protect this
unique land.
Near Avoca and Muscoda,
the 6 easement properties,
totaling 781 acres, lie
midway between Avoca and
Muscoda and less than
1 mile south of the Lower
Wisconsin State Riverway.
Dry Dog Conservation Easements
(continued from page 1)
habitat areas, the owners documented natural features,
recorded changes, and focused their efforts on different
improvements and conservation programs and options.
Dry Dog landowner Eliot Protsch, retired Alliant Energy
executive who initiated the conversation with the
Conservancy, remarked that his favorite part of being
associated with this special group of landowners is the
satisfaction of watching the progression of the various
conservation projects on their respective lands. What were
once eroded gullies, fenced off fields and weeds have evolved
into flowers, prairies, and wildlife habitat. “It’s fun to watch
what happens with mother nature when you unleash natural
tools like burning, and clearing trees that would have been
destroyed by fires had natural fires been allowed to burn,”
commented Protsch.
The group was “all in” on managing and restoring this
special place. “As we became aware of various federal and
state incentive programs to develop or improve prairies,
savannas, woodlands, cropland, and wildlife habitat, we
WDNR Lower Wisconsin State Riverway
Dry Dog Properties:
Easement Boundaries
s
N
applied for and implemented those that complimented our
properties,” explained Dale Moody, also a retired Alliant
Energy executive and one of the Dry Dog landowners.
After considerable time and sweat equity devoted to
restoration, they began contemplating how to permanently
protect their efforts and this unique land. Dry Dog landowner
Russ Moody, a former scientist with USDA Forest Products
Laboratory, stated “I was often asked by my fellow
landowners, why are we doing all this work like timber stand
improvement when we will likely not be around to enjoy the
fruit of our labors … and we determined that the
conservation easement was the best tool to assure that our
heirs and future generations would reap the benefits of our
labors.” In time, they split the property into different
ownerships among the group and sought out an organization
that could help them fulfill their wish of protecting the land,
hunting and all, for the rest of their lives and for generations
to come. Jim Miller, Dry Dog landowner and current Board
Chair of The Nature Conservancy – Missouri Chapter, put it
this way: “Ultimately, we simply wanted to do what was right
for nature.”
The landowners secured legal counsel and eventually
contacted Driftless Area Land Conservancy to help them
achieve their conservation goals. It was their intention to
work with a credible, local organization that had both local
members and a local board. In spring 2011 Conservancy
board and staff toured the land and discussed the owners’
vision for their properties. It quickly became apparent that
all parties were on the same page. The landowners
appreciated the fact that Driftless Area Land Conservancy has
a focus on similar properties; specifically, those with high
quality natural and agricultural areas that still allow
opportunities for recreational uses like hunting.
By December 2011, Driftless Area Land Conservancy and the
Dry Dog landowners closed on 6 conservation easements,
forever protecting 781 acres of unique lands in Southwest
Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. Richard Grossenbach, landowner
and entrepreneur remarked, “The Driftless Area Land
Conservancy shares in our interest to do the right thing for
the properties, and provides a conscience for future owners.
All of us are very pleased to have chosen to work with
Driftless Area Land Conservancy to accomplish our
objectives.”
Witnessing the growth and evolution of the plant and animal
life on the properties over the years has been especially
magical to the landowners. When asked what he most enjoys
about their land, Jim Miller responded, “What I really look
forward to is being able to walk the trails, ride the trails,
observe the evolution of the various activities that are going
on, and simply enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of the
place.” The Dry Dog landowners all share in the labor and
enjoyment of the land, and together have carried Dry Dog
Ranch to the treasured and valuable status it holds today.
Our thanks go out to them for their continued and
remarkable commitment to conservation in the Driftless Area.
4 DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 Driftless Area Land Conservancy

A Warm Welcome to Wondrel Farms
Two days prior to the New Year, Driftless Area Land
Conservancy and local landowner, Linda Lynch,
teamed up to permanently protect a beautiful,
working farm near the Town of Ridgeway.
Wondrel Farms is situated near the Conservancy’s Stack
Conservation Easements – also easement donors in 2011 –
and Wisconsin DNR’s Ridgeway Pine Relict State Natural
Area. This beautiful 30-acre property is situated directly
adjacent to the Military Ridge State Trail, a recreation trail
connecting Madison to Dodgeville, and within the Military
Ridge Prairie Heritage Area. Divided into hay ground and
pasture, this farm supports a small rotationally grazed
herd of cattle – as well as breeding grassland birds such
as meadowlarks and bobolinks – and is perched at the
headwaters of Strutt Creek, a Class I trout stream and
Outstanding Resource Water within the Mill Creek
watershed.
Linda intends to restore prairie and oak savanna habitats in
the future, even though many grassland birds, eagles, and
other wildlife already frequent her land. Boasting stunning
views of rolling hills and farmland to the north, this view of
the “Coulee Region” is one of Linda’s great joys. When asked
why she chose to work with Driftless Area Land Conservancy,
Linda replied, “I like working with an organization that is in
my community,” and “I want to see a conservation
organization succeed that focuses on Southwest Wisconsin
and is not driven by those from outside the area.” The
conservation easement will permanently protect Linda’s farm
from the threat of development, continue to protect water
Protecting Ancient Forest Relicts
The origins of an exciting 2011 protection story can be traced
back to 2003, when The Malcolm Stack Foundation donated
a 54-acre conservation easement to Driftless Area Land
Conservancy – one of our first. This past year The Stack
Foundation once again demonstrated its commitment to
conservation by donating an additional conservation
easement on the remainder of their land. The Stack
Foundation has now permanently protected a total of 159
acres. The core of this unique land includes ancient Pine Relict
communities that have persisted since a time predating the
retreat of the last glaciers some 10,000 years ago. When
asked about the latest easement, Anne Connor, president of
The Malcolm Stack Foundation said, “We were happy to
donate a second conservation easement to the Driftless Area
Land Conservancy in 2011. We understand and value the
importance of conserving natural resources, especially as they
apply to the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin, and are
pleased to partner with such a qualified and environmentally
conscientious organization.”
Jenna Assmus
quality and provide wildlife habitat, and always help
maintain the rural agrarian character of the area. So, next
time you ride your bicycle along the Military Ridge State Trail,
enjoy! … and thank Linda for her gift to conservation, and
to all of us.
Landowner Linda Lynch plans to someday retire her herd and
restore Wondrel Farms, which boasts a stunning view of rolling
hills and farmland, to prairie and oak savanna.
Pine relict community northwest of Ridgeway, WI.
Driftless Area Land Conservancy DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 5
Wondrel Farms
A beautiful,
working farm –
protected in
perpetuity.
Thomas Meyer

Annual Report
2011 HIGHLIGHTS
Jenna Assmus Madelin Jensen
Scott Moucka
From the President – Mark Mittelstadt
Mark Mittelstadt (right)
celebrating a decade of
conservation with DALC
members at Folklore
Village in October.
Building Capacity for Conservation
Jason Dinges
Nan Rudd
Driftless Area Land Conservancy board and staff are proud to share this 2011 Annual Report
with you. What a year! We accomplished a great deal in 2011 and would like to thank you,
our supporters, for helping enable good and sound conservation work. We value your
partnership and appreciate your continued support.
In this report you’ll read about the important lands that we’ve protected, the educational
opportunities that we’ve provided, unique explorations in the field, and a host of other
organizational accomplishments. As a quick overview for the year, consider the following:
we’ve added excellent new staff and board members; implemented important new practices,
policies and procedures; achieved our year-end fundraising goals; ended the year with a
surplus; and increased our membership by 25%, our land protection acreage by 42% (over
the previous 10 years) and our number of easements by 80% (over the previous 10 years).
I believe we’re reaching a tipping point in our development, but we need your continued
support to get us there. So, please encourage others to get involved! Strength comes in
numbers! We are experiencing strong growth and I am confident that the Conservancy is on
the road to becoming a truly sustainable community institution. We thank you again for your
partnership and hope you will continue to help us achieve even greater gains for the land
and people of Southwest Wisconsin in the coming years.
Thank you.
In 2011 we welcomed many new faces to the organization. Jenna Assmus joined the team
as Communications and Membership Coordinator and is working part time with the organization.
She has a background in visual communications, event planning, and experiential
learning communities. She’s a native of Wisconsin but has also enjoyed a number of years in
the Northwest exploring the Cascades.
Madelin Jensen and Scott Moucka joined “Team DALC” in the spring of 2011, just after
graduating from UW-Madison with degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies. Both
have been instrumental in the Conservancy’s annual easement monitoring and in updating
our easement baseline documents. After completing an outstanding term with the Conservancy,
Scott returned to UW Madison to complete a Certificate in Geographic Information
Systems. Madelin, a Wisconsin native, continues to assist the Conservancy with an assortment
of mapping, monitoring, writing, and easement projects. She hopes to begin graduate school,
most likely at UW Madison, within the coming year.
The organization also welcomed Jason Dinges as a board member. Jason earned his B.S. in
Biology from Illinois Wesleyan University, his Ph.D. in genetics from Iowa State, and a law degree
from the University of Iowa. A scientist turned lawyer, Jason has found that his work as
a patent lawyer accommodates both areas of his expertise. Raised on a farm in Illinois, Jason
continues to help out with the family farm.
6 DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 Driftless Area Land Conservancy

Baseline Documentation and Perpetuity
We often highlight completion of recent easement projects as our main land protection accomplishments;
however, the easement is not the only piece to the long-term protection puzzle.
Baseline documentation, which establishes the condition of the property at the
time of the easement donation or purchase, serves as a critical “baseline” by which
future changes on the property are measured and evaluated. This year Conservancy
staff created and/or updated all of our baseline documents by visiting each property, developing
up-to-date maps, adding GPS photo points to property descriptions, and filing supplements
to all of our existing baseline documents. While the update was a significant task it
was a pleasure for staff to tour all our protected properties, traverse the range of unique habitats
found in the Driftless Area, and enjoy conversations with the landowners who care for
and steward these special places.
National Land Trust Rally
In October of this past year, the Conservancy sent two staff and one board member to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin to participate in Land Trust Alliance’s national “Rally.” This annual gathering
is held in different cities throughout the nation and brings together an outstanding pool
of land trust experts and practitioners to participate and/or provide training through seminars,
workshops and peer-to-peer engagement. LTA, as it’s more colloquially known, is a national
convener, strategist and representative of more than 1,700 land trusts across the country.
Events
Wines, Pines and Equines
In May, the Conservancy hosted an event in appreciation of supporters, donors, and volunteers.
The group gathered at the beautiful Malcolm Stack Foundation headquarters. Steve Apfelbaum,
founder, chairman and owner of Applied Ecological Services, one of the leading ecological
consulting firms in the world, was our keynote speaker. Steve gave a wonderful
presentation about his book Nature’s Second Chance: Restoring the Ecology of Stone Prairie
Farm. Steve spoke of land restoration as a process of change, recovery and, ultimately, personal
reward. The event continued with guided hikes through the Stack Foundation’s beautiful Pine
Relict communities and open pastures.
A Fall Harvest
Our annual meeting was held this past October at Folklore Village, where Conservancy board,
staff and supporters celebrated 10-years of conservation in Southwest Wisconsin. Surrounded
by 94 acres of rolling hills and countryside, attendees enjoyed local food and fresh cider, battled
over auction items, and drank-in a discussion about water from our keynote speaker,
Todd Ambs. Todd served as Water Division Administrator for the Wisconsin DNR and currently
serves as executive director of River Network, a network of more than 2,000 state, regional
and local grassroots organizations whose primary mission is to protect our most vital natural
resource – water. As one participant stated, “It was wonderful to gather with DALC’s community
of supporters, listen to a wonderful speaker, and celebrate such high quality conservation
work!”
Scott Moucka, conservation
assistant, monitors a
conservation easement and
collects additional baseline
information.
Conservancy members enjoy a
hike through the pastures
protected by The Malcolm Stack
Foundation and the Conservancy
Meredith Porembski and Colette
Clutter Porembski, conservancy
members, enjoy a lovely
afternoon at the 2011 annual
event at Folklore Village.
Driftless Area Land Conservancy DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 7
Annual Report
DALC
DALC
DALC

Annual Report
2011 Highlights (continued from page 6)
Conservation partners gather
at the Van Sicklen home.
Land Protection
Brenda Mittlestad
A Gathering of Conservation Partners
This fall Conservancy members Susan and Mike Van Sicklen graciously hosted a gathering of
conservation partners at their home near Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Conservancy supporters,
board and staff, discussed the Conservancy’s current efforts and future plans to protect a
landscape that we all value and love – Southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. The conversation
generated a rich list of new ideas about ways our conservation programs can better serve
the region. We are grateful for the thoughtful discussion and are in the process of exploring
many of the ideas shared by our community of partners.
Prairie, Grassland Birds, and the Schuelke Farm
In the spring of 2011, Conservancy supporters, staff, and board members visited the Schuelke
farm for a mid-morning hike. This beautiful and unique 560-acre property includes expansive
grassland bird habitat, is home to 7 endangered, threatened and special concern species, and
is protected with a Driftless Area Land Conservancy conservation easement. The Schuelke
property is one of the gems of the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area, a unique part of Wisconsin
containing many high quality prairie remnants and large prairie pastures. Participants
enjoyed a lively and informative guided hike led by Matt Zine, South Central Wisconsin State
Natural Areas Manager with the Department of Natural Resources.
In 2011 Driftless Area Land Conservancy was fortunate to work with a number of generous
landowners to protect 8 additional properties and 916-acres of rare pine relict communities,
oak savannas and forests, prairie remnants, springs and trout streams, important working
farmland, and lands that buffer state trails and State Natural Areas. This increases the Conservancy’s
land protection acreage by 42% and our total number of easements by 80% (both
over the previous 10 years).
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
A C R E S Number of Acres Protected Since 2001
1,000
500
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Y E A R
8 DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 Driftless Area Land Conservancy

Our Donors
Thank you to our members, donors and partners! Whether foundation support or volunteer hours,
the gifts listed below sustain the legacy that we will pass on to the next generation. Thank you to all –
we couldn’t do it without you.
Individuals
$10,000 and above
Alice & Richard Godfrey
Anonymous
$5,000 – $9,999
Stephanie Comer
$1,000 – $4,999
Anne Bachner
Douglas & Sherry Caves
Laurits & Beatrice
Christensen
Anne & Tim Connor
Jason Dinges
Bruce & Rosemary Ehr
John J. Frautschi
Brad & Barbara Glass
David Kopitzke & Paul
Klawiter
Rosanne & Harold Krubsack
Gerd & Ursula Muehllehner
Bill & Jeanne Rayne
James & Rose Sime
Willi & Gail Van Haren
Michael & Susan Van Sicklen
$500 – $999
Deane & Edith Arny
Judy Lovaas
Russ & Nancy Moody
Deborah & Jeffery Ralston
$100 – $499
Christine Anding
Neil & Mary Bard
Ann Behrmann – In memory
of Dr. John Stevenson
Joan & Darren Blankenship
Ginger Brand & Paul Biere
Dora Brand
Bill Burden
Caroline & Robert Butler
Sherren Clark
David Clutter & Meredith
Porembski
Christine Coffin
John Deetz
William & Susan DeRonne
Eva & Avery Eliscu
Darrell & Sally Foell
Jeremy Fox
Donald & Marlene Gasch
Paul Gaynor
Terry Glanzman
Gordon Greishaber
Ted Haglund
Henry Hart
John Hess
John & Karen Icke
John and Pamela Atkins
Robert Kubicka & Claire
Smith
Howard Learner & Lauren
Rosenthal
Patricia & Phil Leavenworth
Chris & Carol Lind
David Linton & Maggie Jones
Barbara & Mike Logiudice
–In memory of Harold Thomas
Gabriele Lubach
Linda Lynch
Phillip Mayer
Howard & Nancy Mead
Thomas & Nancy Mohs
David Moore
Michael Porembski
Margaret Rasch & David
Stute
Phillip & Katharine Reid
–In memory of Edith M.
Chadwick
Steve & Janice Ross
Ted Ross & Kathleen Ayres
Robert & Nancy Rudd
Justin Schaefer
Barbara Smith
Frank & April Smith
Maggie Steele
Ellen Stephenson
Stephen Thompson
Mary Trewartha
Topf Wells & Sally Probasco
Roger & Kristi Williams
Dan Wisniewski
David Zavadsky
$99 and under
Katie & Scott Abbott
David Anderson
Jan Anderson
Fred & Winifred Batson
Jeremy Batson
Sandra Bennett
Sue & Jim Berg
Dale Beske & Dorothy
Gertsch
Paul & Linda Bishop
Helen Boley
Juliana Broek
Richard & Kim Cates
William Cotey
Clarence & Mary Curtis
Betsy D'Angelo
Kathryn Dejak
Bob Dillard
Terry & Penny Edwards
Jim Elleson
Ed & Carol Ellinghausen
Virginia Gasch
Boyd & Marcia Geer
Jeffery & Janice Grayson
Frank Grenzow
Constance & Donald
Gronemus
Mary Gutknecht
Elizabeth Haban
John Hardiman
Harry & Alyssa Hellen
Ane Helsley-Marchbanks
Rich & Kathy Henderson
James Herrmann
Nancy Hylbert
Virginia & David Jensen
Tom & Pam Jensen
Mary Jervis
Paul Kaarakka
Gary & Cheryl Karls
Jane & Vincent Kavaloski
Miriam Kerndt
Todd & Susan Kummer
Dave A. Ladd
Madelyn Leopold & Claude
Kazanski
Bruce & Ruth Marion
David Marshall & Wendy
Weisensel
Mary Mayo
Brent & Deborah McCown
Martha & Maury McLean
John & Nancy Meyers
Mark & Brenda Mittelstadt
Kristen Naimoli
John Naughton
Doug Norgord
Gretchen & Dave Pearson
Harlen Persinger
Jeffrey Potter
Keith & Gail Ray
Ron & Esmeralda Reynolds
Steve Richter
Gene & Jean Roark
Rock Ridge Community
Jane & Jim Roeber
Kurt Rolle
William Rudolph
Ellyn Satter
Lucas Satter
Barbara Seffrood
Barbara Sheldon
Tom & Martha Shields
Dan Smith
Rider Sporn & Glen Rosen
Kathleen Swanson
Charles & Karen Tennessen
Denise Thornton & Doug
Hansmann
Susan & Donald Trudell
JoAnn Walsh
Neal & Aileen Weber
James Wellman
Bob Wernerehl & Ann
Ramminger
Frieda Whittington
Cal Williams
Sharyn Wisniewski & Hugh
Iltis
Barbara & Ron Wolfe
Steven Ziegler
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
TO OUR BUSINESS AND
FOUNDATION PARTNERS
who supported the work
of Driftless Area Land
Conservancy in 2011.
Partners listed below
contributed to the
Conservancy through
event sponsorship,
program support and
operational funding.
Business Sponsors
American Transmission
Company*
Applied Ecological Services*
American Players Theatre*
Cates Family Farm*
Citizens Natural Resources
Association of Wisconsin
Driftless Studio*
Eagle Optics*
Fieldhouse Fruit Farm*
Folklore Village*
King’s Hill Farm*
Lake Louie Brewing*
Land Trust Alliance
Lands’ End*
M&I Bank*
Memory, Inc.*
Midwestern Bio-Ag
Organic Valley Cooperative*
Trout Unlimited*
Trusted Earth Farm and
Forage*
Whole Foods Markets*
Foundation Sponsors
Alliant Energy Foundation*
Blanchardville/Hollandale
Area Fund and Argyle Fund
through the Community
Foundation of Southern
Wisconsin
The Comer Foundation Fund
through the Chicago
Community Trust
Echo Rock Fund through the
Boston Foundation
John C. Bock Foundation
James E. Dutton Foundation
The Malcolm Stack
Foundation
Natural Resources
Foundation of Wisconsin*
The Paul E. Stry Foundation
*Denotes event supporters.
Driftless Area Land Conservancy DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 9
Thomas Meyer
Annual Report
Landowners
who donated
easements
in 2011
Thank you!
—
Richard & Bonnie
Grossenbach
Linda Lynch
Jim Miller
Dale Moody
Russell & Nancy
Moody
Eliot & Barbara
Protsch
The Malcolm Stack
Foundation
Volunteers
—
Anne Bachner
Tom and Pam Jensen
Rob McCalla
Brenda Mittelstadt
Greg Petz
Jim Steil
Mary Kay Baum
Gay Gibbons

Annual Report 2011 Financial Report
Balance Statement as of December 31, 2011
ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking .................................................. $43,759
Other Assets
Endowment* ............................................ $123,592
Pledges Receivable ................................... $18,350
TOTAL ASSETS ............................................... $185,701
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Liabilities
Current Liabilities ..................................... $2,458
Equity
Retained Earnings ..................................... $158,633
Net Income............................................... $24,610
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY...................... $185,701
This represents an unaudited Balance Sheet Statement.
*The Monitoring and Legal Defense Fund is a segregated fund designed
to provide a sustainable source of revenue for easement monitoring and
legal defense. Only a portion of the investment returns is available for
use; therefore, the principal remains intact and will continue to generate
income for monitoring and easement defense far into the future.
We value your
partnership
and appreciate
your continued
support.
Sources of Income
n Contributions from Individuals
n Contributions from Business Partners
n Foundation Grants
n Investment Distributions and Other
Expenses
n Personnel (includes all staff time related
to land protection, outreach and education,
fundraising, and administration)
n Rent and Office Expenses
n Professional Services
n Land Protection
n Educaton & Outreach
n Fundraising
2011 Income
Contributions from Individuals ............................. $63,282 46%
Contributions from Business Partners.................... $26,200 19%
Foundation Grants ................................................ $43,500 32%
Investment Distributions and Other ...................... $5,080 3%
Total Income ......................................................... $138,062 100%
2011 Expenses
Personnel (one full-time, one part-time,
two limited term staff) ..................................... $81,614 72%
Rent and Office Expenses ...................................... $9,215 8%
Professional Services (accounting, etc.).................. $4,320 4%
Land Protection..................................................... $5,730 5%
Education & Outreach .......................................... $10,557 9%
Fundraising........................................................... $2,016 2%
Total Expenses....................................................... $113,452 100%
2011 Net Income (dedicated to 2012 activities) .... $24,610
The Driftless Area Land Conservancy’s fiscal year runs from January 1 to December 31.
The Conservancy’s federal tax returns (990s) are available on Guidestar (guidestar.org).
10 DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 Driftless Area Land Conservancy

Looking Forward…
Over the coming year, we are strongly committed to building new strategic
partnerships and approaches. Many unique educational programs are in
store as well, such as “Poems on the Prairie” led by Daniel Smith, along
with various opportunities to experience this beautiful part of Wisconsin.
In partnership with Land Trust Alliance and Gathering Waters Conservancy,
we plan to implement professional development opportunities for staff
and board, improve upon existing policies, practices and procedures, and
set a concrete course towards land trust accreditation within the coming
years. 1 Ultimately, we hope to continue building on the momentum and
successes established during the previous years to craft a community organization
worthy of the people of this special part of the state. Please
keep an eye on our website (www.driftlessconservancy.org) for updates,
announcements and further information.
1 Accredited land trusts demonstrate “compliance with a set of accreditation indicator
practices selected from Land Trust Standards and Practices. These practices are designated
by the Land Trust Alliance and indicate a land trust’s ability to operate in an ethical,
legal and technically sound manner and ensure the long-term protection of land in
the public interest” (LTA 2012 http://www.landtrustalliance.org/training/accreditation)
Thank You to Our Generous Corporate and Foundation Supporters
$10,000 and above
$5,000–$9,999
$1,000–$4,999
$500–$999
$499 and below
Cates Family Farm
John C. Bock Foundation
Blanchardville/Hollandale Area Fund and
Argyle Fund through the Community
Foundation of Southern Wisconsin
Driftless Area Land Conservancy DRIFTLESS | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 11
Nan Rudd
James E. Dutton Foundation
Citizens Natural Resources
Association of Wisconsin
Fieldhouse Fruit Farm Folklore Village King’s Hill Farm
Memory, Inc. Trusted Earth Farm and Forage Whole Foods Markets
Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT
Renewal
Beginning in 2012,
only current
members of
Driftless Area Land
Conservancy will
receive our
newsletter.
We hope you’ll
renew your
membership with
the Conservancy.
Driftless Area
Land Conservancy
338 North Iowa Street
P.O. Box 323
Dodgeville, WI 53533
608.930.3252
www.driftlessconservancy.org
Join Driftless Area Land Conservancy today and help
preserve Southwest Wisconsin for tomorrow.
MEMBERSHIP FORM | Driftless Area Land Conservancy
YES, I want to help the Driftless Area Land Conservancy
protect the special places in Southwest Wisconsin.
Enclosed you will find my gift of:
n Prairie Conserver ($35)
n Oak Savanna Protector ($50)
n Farm Guardian ($100+)
n Driftless Area Defender ($500+)
n 100 Friends of the Driftless Area ($1,000+)
n I’d like to volunteer my time as well.
n I’d like my copy of Prairie Legacy ($50 level or above)
All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Financal statement available upon request.
Name
Address
City
State/Zip
Telephone
Email
Please return this form with your check
(payable to Driftless Area Land Conservancy) to:
Non-profit org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. One
Madison, WI
Driftless Area Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 323, Dodgeville, WI 53533
In 2012 all active and renewing Driftless Area Land Conservancy members will have the opportunity to
gift 5 FREE MEMBERSHIPS to interested friends, family, and/or colleagues. Renew Today- support the
Conservancy and receive more information about spreading the word and gifting memberships to those
who value this beautiful region.