13 March 2023
OWLT and Ozaukee County secured the ownership on Cedar Heights Gorge/ Ozaukee Clay Bluffs with its mile of Lake Michigan shoreline. It is destined to become a county park and be another showcase for our clay bluffs, which are unique to this area.
The City of Port Washington, along with the cities of Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Two Rivers are well on their way to having their waters designated a NOAA National Marine Sanctuary focused on shipwrecks.
OWLT preserved 185+ additional acres in Ozaukee County, including the new, 155 acre Spirit Lake Preserve in Mequon. This brings their total preserved acres in both Ozaukee and Washington counties to well over 6000.
Ozaukee County Land and Water Management with Planning and Parks added a small park in the Town of Grafton on Edgewater Drive on the MIlwaukee River, adding to the necklace of beautiful stops along the river in Ozaukee County. This was the happy result of a flood control project.
Ulao Creek restoration was completed at the Gateway site and mostly completed at the Arrowhead site. While these are not public places, this restoration is a huge addition to the health of Ozaukee waterways, fish and wildlife.
Mole Creek restoration was completed south of Cedar Sauk Road. Like the Ulao project, this is on private lands but improves our waters. Both of these restorations are projects of the Milwaukee River Watershed Fish Passage Program, an arm of Ozaukee County Planning and Parks.
The Friends of Harrington Beach State Park completed their accessible cabin project - a huge asset to the park and the county. It is now available for rentals.
OWLT has improved the pool house structure and is in process of redoing the bridge at the Donges Bay Gorge Preserve.
The first Chimney Swift Tower has been erected at Virmond Park by Ozaukee County Planning and Parks. With fewer chimneys and caps on those that are standing, the Chimney Swift population has been declining rapidly. Created structures (think really big bird house) are helping.
The prairie and wetlands have been planted at the Krier Conservancy in the Town of Belgium, the newest nature preserve-to-be. It will be open to the public when completed. Future plans include a trail network with interpretive signage, bridges over Sucker Brook Creek, and several infrastructure improvements such as a nature center and pavilion.
Thank you to these organizations and countless volunteers who are making Ozaukee a national model for a strong and healthy community that cherishes its environment.
