Ann Knauf Trust - Summers Easement

      County:    Sheboygan
        Lot size:   149.75 acres
   Established:   11/09/1999   

Property story

This property in the Mullet River watershed and the Lake Michigan Basin is adjacent to the Kettle Moraine State Forest, an excellent example of former continental glacial activity. The Kettle Moraine State Forest, considered a Southeast Glacial Plaines Ecological Landscape, has been given substantial protection and the highest conservation significance in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Wisconsin Land Legacy Report. There are several terrain features. In the northern section above Shady Lane, a small “kettle” area containing about 4 acres at the southeast corner is covered with mature upland hardwoods and poison ivy, while in the south parcel below Shady Lane, the eastern 17 acres is sloping terrain – what might be an esker – and a second “kettle,” covered in mature upland hardwoods. The Forest Zone, currently under a DNR Managed Forest Law Program, also contains a 35- to 40-acre White Pine and Spruce plantation from 1970 on gently sloping terrain in the northern section. The Open Space Zone was planted with grasses and forbs in a ten-year Wildlife Habitat Management Plan with the DNR in 1997. Approximately 70 acres fall within the Agricultural Zone and are leased out for cultivation. Pre-settlement vegetative cover would have been Sugar Maple, Basswood, Red Oak, White Oak, and Black Oak trees, many of which still grow on the land.

The property shall be used only for conservation, open space, scenic and recreational purposes.