BRPA incorporated in 1994 as a grassroots organization of landowners from the "Happy Hill" region of our western Baraboo Range. Future expansion of U.S. Highway 12 became a major concern for folks interested in protecting the qualities and culture of their hills from an influx of development. What started as informal educational outings gradually turned into the formation of a local land trust.

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In 2002 BRPA was awarded a capacity grant by their longtime partner, The Nature Conservancy, who offered financial and professional support, enabling us to hire David Wernecke as our first Executive Director. TNC was largely responsible for helping to create a $ 12.5 million dollar fund that would mitigate against the Highway 12 impact.

 

Our state land trust organization, Gathering Waters Conservancy, and national organization, Land Trust Alliance, also played a key role in helping us become a more professional entity ready to negotiate conservation easements with willing landowners.

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Inspired by our two local heroes, former Devil's Lake State Park Naturalist Ken Lange, and Loganville farmer/naturalist Harold Kruse, BRPA has evolved into an organization that honors the contributions toward a sustainable future envisioned by so many people all those years ago.

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