Inn Serendipity Woods Land Stewardship and Silviculture

Land Stewardship and Silviculture

In 2001, we completed contracts and initiated land conservation efforts to restore the health, promote greater diversified ecological balance, and foster wildlife on the property. As a farm, a portion of the lowland area previously used by area dairy farmers to grow corn or other feed crops had severly degraded the land, especially adjacent to the stream (regular springtime flooding and washouts resulting in soil loss); also, since the property was selectively logged by the previous owner, our concern over the health of the forest led us to the development of a forest/timber management plan for the woods with an eye toward silviculture, the sustainable management of forests. Ultimately, we are planning ecologically mindful selective cuts to supply wood to the Sustainable Woods Cooperative. The two significant land conservation undertakings are as follows:

Continuous CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) to Establish a Riparian Buffer alongside the Stream

Acres Involved: 2.5, of which 2.2 acres were cropland and .3 acres were pasture (see flood damage in photo).
Partner: USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency
Duration: 15 years
Purpose: To establishing a riparian (stream-side) forest buffer, helping protect soil, air, and water quality and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Tree planting to commence in spring, 2002, and involve a highly diversified planting of a total of 550 trees (saplings) including Northern Red Oak, White Ash, Black Walnut, Black Cherry, Hickory, Silver Maple, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Swamp White Oak, White Pine and Red Pine. Continuous CRP was established by the Food Security Act of 1985.

Managed Forest Land Law to Establish and Follow a Stewardship Forestry Plan

Acres Involved: 20 (closed to public access option)
Partner: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Vernon County Forester
Duration: 50 years, ending December 31, 2051
Purpose: To manage the 20 acres of woods for timber, wildlife, aesthetics and recreation. In managing the timber stand, favor is given to native species, especially hardwoods. In terms of wildlife, forests to be managed for wood duck, screech owl and wild turkey. The purpose of Wisconsin's Managed Forest Land Law is to encourage the growth of future commercial crops through sound forestry practices which consider the objectives of the individual property owners, forest aesthetics, wildlife habitat, erosion control, protection of endangered or threatened plants and animals, and compatible recreational activities.

Non-profit Partners
By working with the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Gathering Waters Land Trusts, we hope to become more mindful stewards of the land while sharing it with visitors and leaving behind a legacy for the Seventh Generation. To support their mission, the property is now officially enrolled into the Landowner Registry Program of the Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC), a local land trust working in six counties in southwestern Wisconsin. The MVC's Registry Program recognizes owners of land with sensitive species, wildlife habitat, open space, or where active habitat restoration taking place. Landowners enter into a voluntary, "handshake" agreement with the MVC to conserve and steward the land. The Registry can be an introductory step for landowners in the process of permanently protecting their land. Wildlife conservation efforts addressing bluebirds, wood ducks and other native, cavity-nesting bird species as well as species using wetland, grass and forest habitat are underway. Realizing that all development, preservation and conservation issues are best managed and planned for on a local level, we're supporting the Valley Stewardship Network (VSN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the beauty of the rural landscape in the Kickapoo Valley area and promoting a balanced, healthy ecosystem, maintained in harmony with and by viable, locally-controlled communities.

To help restore the land, subsidize wildlife conservation efforts, and support area conservation initiatives and non-profit organizations, 10% of the rental fees are set aside for such purposes.

While the many conservation efforts are being undertaken, the 30-acre property is remaining a private wildlife sanctuary.

Inn Serendipity Woods
S 3580 St. Patricks Road
Hillsboro, Wisconsin

For reservations, call or write to:
Inn Serendipity B & B
7843 County P
Browntown WI 53522
Tel: 608-329-7056
Fax: 608-329-7057
E-mail: info@innserendipity.com
Website: www.innserendipity.com