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Award
Presentation at the Woodstone Prairie Model Home.
From left to right: GLC Executive Director, Jim Celano,
GLC Chairman Chuck Ebeling, Rob Keefe of Keefe &
Associates and Kurt Andrae of Red Wing Land Development
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Linn/Lake
Geneva -- The Geneva Lake Conservancy today presented
its first-ever award for "Excellence in Conservation
Development" to Sugar Creek Preserve, LLC.
The newly
created award is intended to recognize, from time to time,
exemplary efforts in conservation development within the
lakes area. The Conservancy's Executive Director, Jim Celano,
summed it up by saying "the purpose of this award is
to advance the concept that conservation and good development
are not mutually exclusive. Rob Keefe of Keefe & Associates,
along with Kurt Andrae of Red Wing Land Development, have
worked long and hard to bring to our area a landmark conservation
project that successfully combines single family development
with impressive preservation of the site's sensitive land
and water resources. These professionals have taken to heart
the Conservancy's call to be known first for what they have
protected and preserved and thereafter for what they developed."
Conservancy
Board Chairman, Chuck Ebeling added, "Our Board of
Directors were so positively impressed by the conservation
achievements at Sugar Creek Preserve, that they were inspired
to create this ground-breaking new award, recognizing that
responsible conservation land development can be both good
for the natural environment and good for business - it's
a win-win-win, for the community, the home-buyers and the
developer."
Located
in the Town of Lafayette on Bowers Road, the Sugar Creek
Preserve was designed by noted land planner, Randall Arndt.
The Preserve spans approximately 260 acres of land, of which
170 acres will be permanently preserved
as open
space. The parcel features vast expanses of woodlands along
with streams, thriving wetlands, a small lake, and restored
prairie. There are 52 carefully placed home sites, several
of which have already been sold, offering views into the
woodland and prairie. A large portion of the natural habitat
will be permanently protected through a Land Conservation
Easement to be held by the Geneva Lake Conservancy.
While not
every development site will offer as many conservation opportunities
as Sugar Creek Preserve, every site presents creative ways
to preserve or restore natural attributes. The Conservancy
will continue to seek out and recognize other developments
from time to time that embody meaningful, sustainable conservation
practices in the design and construction of their projects.
The protection
of existing natural features, the wise use of sensitive
water resources and the studied and careful placement of
all activities disturbing the land are of particular importance.
"Our future quality of life is absolutely dependant
on clean water and clean air, and land where natural elements
are conserved," Celano added. "Embracing responsible
land conservation practices is paramount if we are to pass
on these essential values to our children and grandchildren.
The Geneva Lake Conservancy applauds the efforts of those
in the building and development sector who, like the developers
of Sugar Creek Preserve, recognize and act on high conservation
values."
The Geneva
Lake Conservancy, with its office listed on the National
Register of Historical Places, is located in Fontana. It
is a state-chartered not-for-profit organization, serving
the southern half of Walworth County and centered on the
Geneva Lake watershed. The Conservancy is supported entirely
by private contributions and community volunteers. The Conservancy
is a member of Wisconsin's Gathering Waters conservation
organization, and of the national Land Trust Alliance.
  
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