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Wm F. Christel Memorial Woods and Wetlands
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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.
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.
