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 26 conservation easements.
Executive Director Jennifer Rutten, Land Manager Abbey Vizelka, Willow Creek Preserve Project Manager, Sophia Gosetti 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 26 conservation easements.
Executive Director Jennifer Rutten, Land Manager Abbey Vizelka, Willow Creek Preserve Project Manager, Sophia Gosetti 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
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Abbey Vizelka-Land Project Coordinator since 2014
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Sophia Gosetti - Willow Creek Preserve Project Manager
Board Officers
Cynthia Northup, President
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Peter Pittner, Vice President
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Jeanette Wierzbach - Treasurer
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Ryan Zinkel, Secretary
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Board Members
Scott Larson
Andrew Morris, Honorary Director
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Rob Zimmer
Stephen Victor, Honorary Director
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Chris Krieg
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