Glacial Lakes Conservancy
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • 2021-2022 Annual Report Snapshot
    • 2020-2021 Annual Report Snapshot
  • What We Do
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • EVENTS
    • Photos from previous events
  • Protected Properties
  • Newsletters
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Youth Education
  • Membership
  • Plant Sale
  • GLC event sponsors & in-kind donors

Wm F. Christel Memorial Woods and Wetlands

County:  
Lot size:  
Established:  
  Manitowoc
  35.26 acres
  3/30/2010

Property story

   The former owners, Edward and Carole (Christel) Holsen, approached Glacial Lakes Conservancy in 2009 with an offer to donate the land to GLC for conservation. Carole’s grandfather, William F. Christel, was an original resident of Valders. Known as “Mr. Valders” for starting Wisconsin’s first Ford dealership, creating a number of local businesses and holding 13 U.S. patents, he left a family legacy of 190 descendants when he passed away in 1952. Consisting mostly of wooded wetlands, the land was not buildable; being within the Village of Valders, it could not be hunted or used for snowmobiling. The Holsens had treasured the land as wildlife habitat, and particularly loved the large oak trees along the upland portion of the site behind their house. They wanted to protect the trees from clear cutting, but agreed to limited forest management to maintain healthy woods. Ed Holsen quoted Will Rodgers, “Take care of this land, they aren’t making any more of it.”

   Christel Woods is a haven for wildlife and migratory birds. The Site’s first value is its natural state as a wet woodland.  It photosynthesizes, cycles nutrients, accommodates hydrology, and has a stable structure of soils, vegetation and animal inhabitants. It cycles seasonally through the wet time of year when it is flooded and the drier time of year when it recharges the stream and water table. The woodland structure is complete—a diverse herbaceous understory, plentiful shrubs and saplings, and a canopy of mature trees. During the wet season, the site offers breeding habitat for amphibians and insects. In the spring, migrating birds use the woods as a stopover site and wildflowers proliferate. Dead and fallen trees provide habitat for cavity nesters, insects, and amphibians.

   Walking, bird-watching and enjoyment of nature are appropriate uses for the property. There are some rudimentary trails within the property, none connecting to any system beyond the property boundaries. Access onto the property is limited to the frontage along Christel Street, which is seasonally wet. In accordance with Glacial Lakes Conservancy’s mission, Christel Woods will be managed to preserve natural open space for plant and animal habitat, resource education and limited passive recreation for the public. GLC intends to protect the natural ecological values of Christel Woods 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.

Picture
Amazon.com Affiliate Link to GLC
To be among the first to learn about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities,  and new information, sign up for our monthly E-News by simply entering your email information below.

Subscribe

* indicates required
Picture
DONATE

Phone: 920-273-1143 Address: 529 Ontario Ave. Sheboygan, WI 53081 Email: info@glaciallakes.org

©2018 Glacial Lakes Conservancy
Website Powered by Chloe's Services
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • 2021-2022 Annual Report Snapshot
    • 2020-2021 Annual Report Snapshot
  • What We Do
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • EVENTS
    • Photos from previous events
  • Protected Properties
  • Newsletters
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Youth Education
  • Membership
  • Plant Sale
  • GLC event sponsors & in-kind donors