Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank joined Welsh and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk at the announcement. In addition to the county contribution, the City of Madison is donating $779,000 toward the acquistion, and the DNR is kicking in $1.5 million from Wisconsin's Knowles/Nelson Stewardship Fund.
The total sum will purchase the acreage in the Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area -- straddling the border between the City of Madison and the Town of Burke -- from current owner Dennis Tiziani's Cherokee Park, Inc.
"What better way to celebrate Earth Week than for the County to give these dollars to help preserve these pristine natural areas for citizens to enjoy forever," declared Falk in the releas. "Protecting these wetlands will help keep our lakes blue, ensure a home for so much wonderful wildlife, and offer outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking and biking."
In addition to yielding environmental benefits for the marsh and the water quality of Lake Mendota, the purchase will help spur development of a bicycle/pedestrian trail planned as a link between the northern and southern halves of the marsh.
