Wings Over Wisconsin Acquires Land to Protect Wildlife and Preserve Natural Habitats
In a time when natural areas are under increasing pressure from development and environmental change, land acquisition for conservation is one of the most effective ways to protect wildlife and their habitats. At Wings Over Wisconsin, acquiring land is more than a mission — it's a lasting commitment to preserving the ecosystems that sustain native species and enrich our communities.
Since 1980, Wings Over Wisconsin has worked across the state to protect and restore habitat, with land acquisition playing a central role. By purchasing and managing key properties, the organization provides critical refuge for wildlife, ensures public access to natural areas, and supports long-term ecological health.
Protecting Vital Habitats Across Wisconsin
Each parcel of land acquired by Wings Over Wisconsin is chosen with care, often targeting areas that provide essential habitat for birds, pollinators, amphibians, and larger mammals. These habitats — including grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, and riversides — offer safe spaces for wildlife to feed, breed, and thrive.
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Land ownership also allows for strategic planning. Wings Over Wisconsin can prioritize areas that connect to existing public lands, expanding habitat corridors and helping reverse habitat fragmentation.
Strengthening Biodiversity Through Conservation Land
By acquiring and restoring natural areas, Wings Over Wisconsin directly contributes to biodiversity conservation. Every piece of land protected adds to the patchwork of healthy ecosystems that support a wide variety of plant and animal life.
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Whether it's safeguarding nesting sites for ring-necked pheasants or preserving monarch butterfly habitats in native prairies, these land purchases serve as vital strongholds for Wisconsin’s natural heritage.
Creating Safe Wildlife Corridors
Wildlife often require large, connected areas to roam safely. Wings Over Wisconsin strategically acquires land that helps link fragmented habitats, forming wildlife corridors that allow animals to move freely in search of food, mates, and seasonal shelter.
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These corridors are especially important in agricultural or developed landscapes, where fences, roads, and buildings can isolate wildlife populations. With each land acquisition, Wings Over Wisconsin helps reconnect the state’s natural landscapes for the benefit of all species.
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A Lifeline for At-Risk Species
Land acquired by Wings Over Wisconsin often supports rare or threatened species that depend on specific habitats. By securing these environments and managing them for ecological health, the organization gives these species a chance to recover and thrive.
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One example is the group’s active support for the wild pheasant restoration program, where preserved land has allowed the reintroduction of birds from China and Iowa to establish stable populations.
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Reducing Human Impact
When land is conserved and managed by organizations like Wings Over Wisconsin, it is protected from harmful development and overuse. That means less pollution, reduced noise, and fewer disruptions to sensitive species. These undisturbed areas serve as safe havens, especially during breeding or migration seasons.
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Conservation as Climate Action
Acquiring and preserving land is also an effective tool in the fight against climate change. Forests and wetlands act as carbon sinks, and healthy ecosystems help buffer communities from flooding, drought, and heat. For wildlife, conservation land serves as climate refuge, providing stability as temperatures and conditions shift.
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Wings Over Wisconsin’s land acquisition strategy considers these factors, ensuring the land remains resilient for the future.
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Educating and Engaging the Public
In addition to protecting wildlife, land owned or managed by Wings Over Wisconsin often becomes a hub for conservation education. These areas host youth programs, outdoor classrooms, hunter safety training, and public engagement efforts that strengthen the bond between people and the natural world.
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When a child plants a tree or watches a bird nesting in a restored prairie, it ignites a lifelong appreciation for conservation — and that all starts with having land to learn on.
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A Legacy for Generations to Come
By acquiring land for conservation, Wings Over Wisconsin is investing in the long-term health of our environment, our wildlife, and our communities. These preserved areas serve as living legacies, ensuring that future generations can experience the same natural beauty and biodiversity that we enjoy today.
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Wings Over Wisconsin – Land Acquisitions
Location
Acreage
Acquisition Type
Year
Waupun
Fox River
Eden
Mayville
Mayville
Mayville
Tri-County
Kettle Moraine
Southwest
Northeast
Southwest
Denmark
107
107
71
64
161
94
440
68
89
90
4
4
Purchased
Purchase w/ NRCS Wetland reserve program
Purchased
Donated
Purchased with Stewardship funds
Donated
Purchased w/ Stewardship & NCRS Wetland Reserve
Purchased with Stewardship funds
Donated
Purchased
Donated
Purchased
1984
1990​
1993
1993
1997
1997
1999
​2003
2003
2005
2011
2011
Get Involved
Wings Over Wisconsin continues to seek opportunities to protect more land throughout the state — but we can’t do it alone. You can help by:
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Donating to our land acquisition fund
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Volunteering for habitat restoration projects
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Joining your local chapter
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Sharing our mission with others
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Together, we can expand our conservation impact and ensure that Wisconsin’s wild places remain wild — forever.