Business News
Quad/Graphics Teams With Tall Pines Conservancy to Preserve 325-Acre Parcel of Pristine Wisconsin Forestland in the Mid-Kettle Moraine
Thursday 23. April 2009 - Conservation Easement Ensures Camp/Quad Will Remain Undeveloped
Quad/Graphics President & CEO Joel Quadracci is proud to announce on Earth Day that the company has donated a conservation easement on its 325-acre Camp/Quad parcel of land in Erin, Wis., to Tall Pines Conservancy, a non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving natural areas in and adjoining Northwestern Waukesha County.
“When we purchased the land in 1997 we always intended for it to remain in its pristine condition,” said Mr. Quadracci. “Designating Camp/Quad as a conservancy is an ironclad way to ensure the land can never be developed commercially, residentially or otherwise and that it will continue to serve as an environmental showpiece and education center for generations to come.”
“I applaud Quad/Graphics and its vision and commitment to preserving the character of this unique tract of land,” said Tall Pines Conservancy Executive Director Susan Buchanan. “Camp/Quad is brimming with natural resources, and Tall Pines is immensely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the effort to safeguard and manage such an ecological treasure.”
The private property is situated near Highways 83 and Q in the Town of Erin. It was purchased from the Boy Scouts of America in 1997 to serve as an educational and recreational nature center for Quad/Graphics employees and their families and friends.
Camp/Quad is considered to be part of one of the most pristine natural and geologically significant areas in Southeastern Wisconsin. It is a primary parcel located within the “Mid-Kettle Moraine” – an area extending from the northern Kettle Moraine unit (northern Washington County) to the southern Kettle Moraine unit (southern Waukesha County). Currently, approximately 2,000 acres of property have been preserved in the Holy Hill area of the Mid-Kettle Moraine. Camp/Quad features the Little Oconomowoc River, valuable wetlands, large hardwood forests and several rare plants. It is also part of the 880-acre Murphy Lake-McConville Lake Wetland complex that helps maintain water quality in the lake country area of Northwest Waukesha County and the Oconomowoc River Watershed that supplies a wide variety of sport fish and forage fish species including threatened and endangered species. Conservation of this property will help preserve critical aquatic and wetland habitats and associated wildlife.
Under the terms of the conservation easement, Quad/Graphics maintains its ownership of and access rights to the property whereas Tall Pines will be responsible for monitoring the property to ensure the continuance of environmentally responsible land management practices.
The easement has been designed to establish development restrictions as well as to initiate a management plan for restoring the land to a pre-settlement state. With the help of volunteer resources from Tall Pines Conservancy and Carroll University students and staff, Quad/Graphics will be taking steps to manage invasive plant species on the grounds; protect the water quality of the Oconomowoc River watershed; and enhance existing educational and recreational features. Carroll University currently uses the site as an outdoor classroom.
“We recognize the environmental importance of making sure this land remains untouched and unspoiled,” Mr. Quadracci said. “As a conservancy, Camp/Quad will serve as a meaningful and timeless embodiment of our commitment to taking better care of our world.”