FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — More than 200 acres along the Niagara Escarpment in Fond du Lac County will be protected from commercial development for all time.
The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) signed a Conservation Easement Document in January, protecting 233 acres containing forests, prairies, wetlands, farm fields, solar array and nature trails.
On Friday, Earth Day, CSA held a private ceremony and ribbon cutting near the main entrance of the property at 320 County Road K.
While the sisters will continue to serve as owners and caretakers of the land, Glacial Lakes Conservancy is entrusted with upholding the provisions of the easement.
In recent months, sisters in Fond du Lac have partnered with staff from GLC to identify 19 wintering bird species on the property, from hawks to nuthatches to waxwings. These nature walks have also showcased the scenic vistas and wildlife habitats that are protected as part of the conservation easement.
According to CSA, when Father Caspar Rehrl, one of the founders of the CSA, traversed the land east of Lake Winnebago, he came across seven springs and blessed them with his holy water. Later he wrote, “Oh, how I wish that the Sisters of St. Agnes might someday live on this beautiful tract of land watered by these prolific springs.” In 2002, the congregation fulfilled his vision and opened their current motherhouse on the land which had been used as St. Joseph Springs Farm.
The solar site on CSA land is open for public viewing any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are asked to stop at the main entrance to sign-in or call 920-907-2300 prior to touring the array. Tours of the remaining portions of the conservation easement must be scheduled in advance.
