History

Glacial Lakes Conservancy, Inc. is a private, non-profit land conservation organization.

 

The original founders (Mike Sorenson and Kristi Pietsch-Sorenson, shown in the photo above, James and Jean Tobin, Lester Laack, Terrie Cooper, Beth and Gary Kiela) saw that during the 1990′s, approximately 8,000 rural acres were subdivided for residential purposes in the unincorporated areas of Sheboygan County alone, prompting a deep concern for the future of our region’s lands and waters.

They founded the Sheboygan Area Land Conservancy in 1996 as a volunteer, membership organization to protect and preserve natural areas and farmland within the Sheboygan Country area in Wisconsin.

In January 2005, Glacial Lakes Conservancy (renamed in 2004) expanded its coverage area northward to Kewaunee County. This was accomplished by merging with The Rural Land Legacy Committee of Kewaunee County, an active local group dedicated to preserving farmland, natural areas, and undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline.

Today, the land trust offers land conservation options, organizational support, and technical guidance to landowners and organizations in Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, Calumet and Fond du Lac counties.

An all-volunteer and dedicated Board of Directors, led by Kenn Buelow, spearhead GLC’s land and water protection mission.