Why we do this! This year, together, we have a chance to buy this piece of land and give it to the community.

A 44 acre parcel of land that is strategically located in the heart of the

Kinnickinnic River canyon, and privately owned for decades, is finally available

for sale and will be purchased by the KinnicKinnic River Land Trust

(kinniriver.org).

The parcel is important ecologically to the long-term preservation of the lower

“Kinni” and the land will be designated as a “community forest” to be

preserved and shared forever. Perhaps of equal (if not greater importance), it

also includes an easement allowing the River Falls School District (via an

agreement with the Kinni River Land Trust) to access their 66 acre “school

forest” property, which has been inaccessible for decades. This will open up

many educational opportunities for generations of students. An improved road

along the easement is being planned to allow students of all abilities access to

the school property and the river, and a middle school curriculum on ecology/

conservation is already in the works.

As much as the school district wants this land (for the easement), they are not

eligible for state/federal grants to help with the purchase. However, the KRLT is

eligible for grants and will utilize the Knowles Nelson Fund (among others) to

purchase the land. This is a rare instance where a land trust is working with a

municipality and school as a partner to provide significant benefits beyond just

land preservation. As much as land trusts want to be front and center, often our

initiatives are perceived as solely environmental/conservation based, with some

still thinking our efforts hinder development, agriculture and economic progress.

When I joined the KRLT board in 2015, I heard a few people mention that I was

one of them… I think this view is changing, but it takes time.

The momentum and interest in this land acquisition is fueling considerable

excitement in River Falls, and I have not heard of one person voicing opposition.

Even people who have shown zero interest in the environment or conservation