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Charles & Winifred Spring West Twin River Preserve
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Property story
As part of land adjacent to Winifred Spring’s family farm dating back to her grandfather, August Ahrens (circa 1846), most of this Preserve was in cultivation for decades. A portion of the sand hill had been excavated in times past and it bears those scars on the northern face. During Winifred’s time, she stated that the local farmers cooperatively cared for the land – protecting the hill “because it was a reservoir for drinking water wells” and monitoring the woodlands for fires. The former 9-acre southern flat agricultural field receives tile drainage from nearby farm fields to the west. Two grassed waterways were installed by the landowners to transport these waters and runoff to the nearby tributary of the West Twin River, which on an old map was labeled as Wil’s Creek.
1.8-acres of Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) vegetative buffers of Bromegrass, Timothy, Red Clover, and Oats were installed in 2004 to protect this creek, and ultimately the river, from soil erosion from both agricultural fields in 2004. The 25.9-acre northern field gently slopes northeast and experienced considerable soil erosion when row cropped, which created siltation directly into the West Twin River, according to the WDNR. In 2005, both agricultural fields were converted to grasslands with seeding of a grasses and forbs mixture including big bluestem, switchgrass, canada wild rye, black-eyed susan, cup plant, yellow coneflower, compass plant and showy tick trefoil under a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan by the WDNR.
Historically, this parcel has provided many native artifacts over the years, like arrowheads, and there have been a number of requests, as well as trespassers, to walk the land and collect these treasures. Charles and Winifred Spring family owned 137 acres in the immediate area. Other restoration projects included roughly 50 acres west of the Preserve which were converted from cropland to a series of wetland restorations, surrounded by grasses.
In accordance with Glacial Lakes Conservancy’s mission, the Preserve will be managed to protect aquatic and terrestrial habitat, native species and water quality. Recreational use will be limited to passive use, access by foot. GLC intends to protect the natural ecological values of the Spring Preserve by allowing natural processes to continue, limiting use to that which is compatible with natural area designation, restoring disturbed habitats while retaining needed paths and preventing the establishment of invasive species on site.
Personal Perspective
by Communications Intern Marian Cramer
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like the Lion King, overlooking a kingdom from the top of your hill, then Spring Preserve is the place to go. The property consists mainly of rolling hills with a patch of forest to the left with a small creek running through it. The top of the tallest hill overlooks a small pond surrounded by cattails in a picturesque scene of green grass and willow trees lining the creek in the distance. Just as you’re catching your breath from the climb, the wind will pick up and you’ll want to spread your arms out like a bird.
If you’re a bird lover, make sure you bring your binoculars because this property is also home to a family of Kestrels and plenty of wood ducks. You might spot the Kestrels hanging out on nearby power lines, majestically watching over their home.
If you wander down by the creek, you can weave in and out of willow trees, but make sure you bring a pair of boots! The mud and dangling willow branches will make you feel like a little kid again. If you’re adventurous enough, you might even want to jump across the creek.
While you’re there, take notice of the fallen foliage and trees making way for new life and growth. Take notice of the bugs flying over the pond and birds swooping down to feast on them. Take notice of the way the grass sways in the wind. Everything about this property will make you feel balanced and peaceful. It truly shows off the grace of our natural world.
1.8-acres of Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) vegetative buffers of Bromegrass, Timothy, Red Clover, and Oats were installed in 2004 to protect this creek, and ultimately the river, from soil erosion from both agricultural fields in 2004. The 25.9-acre northern field gently slopes northeast and experienced considerable soil erosion when row cropped, which created siltation directly into the West Twin River, according to the WDNR. In 2005, both agricultural fields were converted to grasslands with seeding of a grasses and forbs mixture including big bluestem, switchgrass, canada wild rye, black-eyed susan, cup plant, yellow coneflower, compass plant and showy tick trefoil under a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan by the WDNR.
Historically, this parcel has provided many native artifacts over the years, like arrowheads, and there have been a number of requests, as well as trespassers, to walk the land and collect these treasures. Charles and Winifred Spring family owned 137 acres in the immediate area. Other restoration projects included roughly 50 acres west of the Preserve which were converted from cropland to a series of wetland restorations, surrounded by grasses.
In accordance with Glacial Lakes Conservancy’s mission, the Preserve will be managed to protect aquatic and terrestrial habitat, native species and water quality. Recreational use will be limited to passive use, access by foot. GLC intends to protect the natural ecological values of the Spring Preserve by allowing natural processes to continue, limiting use to that which is compatible with natural area designation, restoring disturbed habitats while retaining needed paths and preventing the establishment of invasive species on site.
Personal Perspective
by Communications Intern Marian Cramer
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like the Lion King, overlooking a kingdom from the top of your hill, then Spring Preserve is the place to go. The property consists mainly of rolling hills with a patch of forest to the left with a small creek running through it. The top of the tallest hill overlooks a small pond surrounded by cattails in a picturesque scene of green grass and willow trees lining the creek in the distance. Just as you’re catching your breath from the climb, the wind will pick up and you’ll want to spread your arms out like a bird.
If you’re a bird lover, make sure you bring your binoculars because this property is also home to a family of Kestrels and plenty of wood ducks. You might spot the Kestrels hanging out on nearby power lines, majestically watching over their home.
If you wander down by the creek, you can weave in and out of willow trees, but make sure you bring a pair of boots! The mud and dangling willow branches will make you feel like a little kid again. If you’re adventurous enough, you might even want to jump across the creek.
While you’re there, take notice of the fallen foliage and trees making way for new life and growth. Take notice of the bugs flying over the pond and birds swooping down to feast on them. Take notice of the way the grass sways in the wind. Everything about this property will make you feel balanced and peaceful. It truly shows off the grace of our natural world.
