Coulee News - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Coulee News or online at www.couleenews.com

Published - Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Conservation group protects 400-acre Bangor farmstead

Mississippi Valley Conservancy recently completed a conservation agreement with Leonard and Alberta Kick to permanently protect their 400-acre property in the town of Bangor in La Crosse County, near Middle Ridge.

Leonard Kick, when asked why he thought it was important to permanently protect his 400-acre farm with a donated conservation agreement, said, “It’s been my home forever. I’d like to see it preserved for future generations. You don’t have to build homes on everything.”

“We have six kids and 10 grandkids. They like to come back to the farm and go for walks on the land,” Alberta Kick said. “My favorite part of the land is that it’s nice and quiet.”

The property consists of blufflands containing prominent ridges and open fields, dramatic bluff slopes, rugged ravines, secluded valleys and a coldwater spring and creek. The property is approximately one-half forestland and one-half agricultural fields and pastures.

Forested areas on the property include a diverse mix of native species, trees of many age classes and structural diversity. The forest on ridge-tops and south- or west-facing slopes was likely a combination of prairie and oak savanna historically, and many indicator plant species still remain.

The coldwater spring and creek in the northwestern corner of the property are significant geological and ecological features important to area wildlife and aquatic plants and organisms. These diverse natural communities support a full array of wildlife species typical of the habitat types.

The property is scenic from both within and without. Open fields and lush forests are visible from Antony Road and Highway 162. Ridge-top trails and overlooks on the property offer expansive scenic views of area blufflands when leaves are off. Views of the property are characterized by open, rolling fields surrounded by steep wooded bluff slopes.

The open fields and pastures on the property are also a significant part of the conservation values, because they contain rich soils for growing crops, pasturing livestock, and provide food and habitat for wildlife, too.

“It’s gratifying to be able to help farmers and other landowners carry out their dreams for their land,” said George Howe, MVC’s conservation director. “Mr. and Mrs. Kick have a beautiful farm, of which they’ve been very good stewards. They wanted to ensure that any future owners of the farm would continue their practices of protecting the soil and wildlife habitat, and the conservation agreement will accomplish that.”