Kinnickinnic River Land Trust

Working with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.

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Land Trusts

What is a land trust?

Land trusts are local, regional, or statewide non-profit organizations directly involved in protecting important land resources for the public benefit. America’s nearly 1200 land trusts have protected over 3 million acres. These include farms, wetlands, wildlife habitat, urban gardens and parks, forests, ranches, watersheds, coastlines, river corridors, and trails. The next few years represent the last chance for many of America’s undeveloped areas; over 3,000 acres of wetlands, farms, and forests are being lost to development each day. Land trusts, with their ability to respond creatively and effectively to local conservation needs, are uniquely suited to meet the challenge of saving these lands.

It’s no wonder that land trusts are the fastest-growing conservation movement today, with new land trusts forming at an average rate of more than one per week.

If you are interested in preserving your land with the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, please contact Marty Engel, Land Stewardship Manager, at 715-653-6153-X102 or marty@kinniriver.org.

Basic Features of Land Trusts

Private, nonprofit, tax-exempt. They are funded largely through membership dues and donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Not “trusts” in the legal sense. In fact, many refer to themselves as conservancies, foundations, or associations.

Vary in size. Some are small and are run solely by volunteers. Others manage thousands of acres and have large, professional staff.

Protect land permanently and directly. Land trusts accept donations of properties, buy land, or help landowners establish legal restrictions that limit harmful use and development.

Protect land that has natural, recreational, scenic, historic, or productive value. Some land trusts preserve many different types of land. Others focus on a particular area or resource.

Cooperative. Land trusts work cooperatively with landowners, the community, and government agencies.

Some own and manage nature preserves, recreation areas, or historic sites. Others monitor the development restrictions they have helped establish, but own no land at all, while still others work in partnership with government conservation agencies, acquiring critical land that they later convey to the agencies.

Special Advantages of Land Trusts

As private, local community organizations, land trusts offer some special advantages. Land trusts:

Understand the special needs of the land and people in their regions.

Help landowners obtain professional assistance in estate planning, tax and conservation law, and environmental and land planning.

Respond quickly, flexibly, and confidentially. They may be effective where government action falls short.

Provide a cost-effective approach to conservation. They often protect land at a cost below its market value.

Offer a successful, cooperative approach to land conservation. Land trusts are the creative answer to today’s conservation challenges.

Conservation Methods Used By Land Trusts

The hallmark of land trusts is their direct involvement in land transactions. They use a variety of flexible and creative conservation methods that achieve conservation goals while meeting the specific needs of the community and landowner. Many approaches offer income, estate, or property tax benefits that help make conservation affordable.

Land trust tools include:
Conservation easement. The landowner enters into a perpetual legal agreement with the land trust that permanently restricts harmful uses and development of the property. The land stays in private ownership and use, and the land trust sees that the restrictions are carried out. Also known as “voluntary land preservation agreement.”

Donation. The landowner gives property to the land trust by gift or will.

Purchase or bargain sale. The land trust buys the property from the landowner. Sales for less than market value, called bargain sales, reduce the cost to the trust and offer tax benefits to the seller.

Life estate. The landowner sells or donates the land, but retains the right to live on it throughout his or her lifetime.

Limited development. The land trust arranges a strategy whereby the least environmentally significant portion of a property is carefully developed in order to finance conservation of the rest. Limited development may be used when conservation of an expensive property would otherwise be impossible.

Using the methods described above, The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust is prepared to assist landowners, land buyers, and others in the community to conserve the natural resources and scenic beauty of the Kinnickinnic watershed.

* This page was adapted from a brochure published by the Land Trust Alliance

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Land Trust Days

Fall Newsletter for 2022

Fall 2022 KinniKeeper Newsletter

Stories from the Water

Kinni Kurrents

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We are excited to be part of this wonderful event We are excited to be part of this wonderful event celebrating the Kinnickinnic River a day the community of River Falls! You can purchase sponsorships and general admission tickets by visiting the link in our bio! Hope to see you there!

Become a sponsor for the 2023 R4F event! 
Sponsorships include access to the VIP lounge with food, beer/wine provided, signage, Tattersall gift bottle, and entry to the film fest. Sponsorships are limited, so don’t wait if interested. 
Each year, we hear from multiple attendees, “How do I sponsor the R4F event?”. For those of you still wondering, follow the directions below:
1. Click on the link below.
2. Signup at your desired sponsorship level ($200, $400, $600, and $1000). If you want to donate more, let us know, and we will certainly accommodate. 
3. Show up on March 3rd and claim your RSVP tickets/wristbands.
4. Have fun!
All proceeds from the 2023 R4F event go to the KRLT and the Rhino’s foundation.
Mark your calendars and get excited for R4F 2023 o Mark your calendars and get excited for R4F 2023 on March 3rd!! Stay tuned for event details, including ticket info and sponsorship opportunities!

@r4ffilmfest 2023 is right around the corner, which means the R4F - River Falls Fly Fishing Festival isn't far away! Lock down March 3rd for a fabulous night of fun and stay tuned for a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT coming next week
Happy holidays from all of us at the Kinnickinnic Happy holidays from all of us at the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust! The protection of the beautiful Kinnickinnic River and its watershed is possible because of your support and passion.✨️ 

#conservation #kinni #landtrust #wisconsin #discoverwisconsin #riverfalls #river #forest #prairie #watershed #keepitwild #driftless #fish #fly #trout #community
Sound on!!! 📣 The birds at Kelly Creek Nature Sound on!!! 📣

The birds at Kelly Creek Nature Preserve were singing away even with the snowy weather! The dried seed heads from the prairie plants offer a great food source for the birds that are brave enough to stick around in the winter. 

Your support allows us to protect and maintain places like these in the Kinni River watershed. Please consider making a donation today! 

#conversation #landtrust #prairies #nativeplants #seeds #keepitwild #birds #winter #wisconsin #discoverwisconsin #riverfallswi #kinni #river #driftless #fish #hike #adventure #protect #getoutside #snow
Kelly Creek Nature Preserve was showing off this m Kelly Creek Nature Preserve was showing off this morning! ❄️

The natural springs on the preserve flow year-round and is an important tributary to the Kinnickinnic River. The water remains cool even in the heat of the summer. The restored prairie is a haven for migratory birds and birds that stick around in the cooler months. 

Thanks to support from people like you, Kelly Creek Nature Preserve and other ecologically important places along the Kinni, remain wild! Please consider a donation today to help KRLT continue the work of conservation on the Kinni!

#kinni #river #keepitwild #springs #winter #conservation #landtrust #driftless #hike #fish #bird #prairie #naturepreserve #wisconsin #riverbanks #riverfallswi #riverfalls #discoverwisconsin #protect #snow #trout #protect
Late fall is a beautiful time to get outside befor Late fall is a beautiful time to get outside before the cooler winter temps hit! A reminder that hunting and trapping are allowed at some of our nature preserves. Please visit our website at www.kinniriver.org, click Visit Our Preserves and click on the nature preserve you would like more details about. If you are visiting our nature preserves during the active hunting season, we recommend that you wear blaze orange for your safety. Deer gun hunting season in Wisconsin is Nov. 19-27th.
The Drewiske Family Preserve is a great spot to en The Drewiske Family Preserve is a great spot to enjoy the beauty of fall in the Lower Canyon of the Kinnickinnic River! 🍁🍂

Your donations make protecting places like these possible! Please consider making a bigger impact by becoming a monthly supporter. Even a monthly gift of $5 can make a huge difference! Click the link in our bio to support conservation on the Kinni today!

#kinni #conservation #watershed #riverfalls #river #discoverwisconsin #Wisconsin #landtrust #community #keepitwild #outdoorsforall #ariverrunsthroughit #driftless #protect #fall #autumn #forest
🍂 This beautiful image was sent to us by Ross a 🍂 This beautiful image was sent to us by Ross and Rachelle Wegge, enjoying the last paddle of the season in the Lower Canyon of the Kinni. 🍁

We love seeing and hearing about your experiences on the Kinni! Have a story you'd like to share? Send it to info@kinniriver.org
We are seeking an Executive Director to help advan We are seeking an Executive Director to help advance our mission to conserve the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.
Organizational Goals: 
• Prepare the Kinnickinnic River watershed to respond to climate change through prioritizing and protecting conservation areas.
•  Earn support from diverse audiences toward achieving organizational and financial sustainability.
• Work with partners within and outside of the local community to develop programs and opportunities that support inclusivity and public engagement on KRLT's public lands.
This position is based in River Falls, Wisconsin, and is responsible for overseeing staff, engaging with the Board of Directors, and connecting with community partners.
View the full job description and apply online click the link in our bio!
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