Our History
Glacial Lakes Conservancy, Inc. is a private, non-profit land conservation organization. The original founders saw that during the 1990s, 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.
This realization prompted the founding of the Sheboygan Area Land Conservancy in 1996. Originally, this was an all volunteer organization with a goal of serving 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 a five-county region: Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, Calumet and Fond du Lac. GLC owns five properties: William F. Christel Woods and Wetlands Preserve, Grasshopper Hill Preserve, Charles & Winifred Spring West Twin River Preserve, Willow Creek Preserve, the Hunner Preserve, and also holds 29 conservation easements.
Executive Director Jennifer Rutten, Land Project Coordinator & Willow Creek Preserve Project Manager, Natalie Miller, Land Project Coordinator Miriam Duero and a dedicated, all-volunteer Board of Directors spearhead GLC’s land and water protection mission.
This realization prompted the founding of the Sheboygan Area Land Conservancy in 1996. Originally, this was an all volunteer organization with a goal of serving 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 a five-county region: Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, Calumet and Fond du Lac. GLC owns five properties: William F. Christel Woods and Wetlands Preserve, Grasshopper Hill Preserve, Charles & Winifred Spring West Twin River Preserve, Willow Creek Preserve, the Hunner Preserve, and also holds 29 conservation easements.
Executive Director Jennifer Rutten, Land Project Coordinator & Willow Creek Preserve Project Manager, Natalie Miller, Land Project Coordinator Miriam Duero and a dedicated, all-volunteer Board of Directors spearhead GLC’s land and water protection mission.
Our Founders...
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The original founders include Mike Sorenson and Kristi Pietsch-Sorenson (shown in the photo to the left), James and Jean Tobin, Lester Laack, Terrie Cooper, Beth and Gary Kiela.
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Staff
Jennifer Rutten-Executive Director
Paige Krugel - Willow Creek Preserve Intern
Jack Coulter - Bird Conservation Intern
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Miriam Duero - Land Project Coordinator
Ashley Muench - Water Conservation Intern
David Kuckuk - GLC Volunteer Naturalist
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Effective October 1, 2024
Board Officers
Volunteer Directors serve on the GLC Board and are responsible for governance, fundraising, and strategic direction. Each member of our Board brings considerable experience in support of GLC. If you are interested in serving on the board or how that process works please contact us for more information.
Peter Pittner, President
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Richard Wirtz, Vice President
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Jeanette Wierzbach, Treasurer
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Sister Susan Seeby, Secretary
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Board Members
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Cynthia Northup,
Immediate Past President
Kelly Cowhig - Oncoming Member
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Mark Mahoney
Chris Krieg, Board Member Emeritus
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