Real Estate Program: Land Acquisition

The State of Wisconsin has a variety of outstanding natural resources, such as rushing trout streams, quiet wetlands, pristine wild rivers, clear lakes, native prairies, vast green forests, Ice Age eskers, and picturesque waterfalls. Wisconsin's increasing population, together with out-of-state visitors, is placing increased pressure and demands on these resources. Each year, thousands of people boat, camp, fish, hunt, hike, bike, ski, canoe, sight-see, study nature, and pursue other outdoor activities. Our public lands are places where we can get away from daily routines and enjoy the natural beauty Wisconsin has to offer.

Over the years, Wisconsin citizens have recognized the need to protect Wisconsin's natural resources and have provided the Department of Natural Resources with the ability and funding to purchase land. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource's (WDNR) first purchase was made in 1876, and, since then, the WDNR's land acquisition program has become an important tool to protect natural resources and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for the public.

The WDNR purchases land to manage and protect natural resources and to provide recreational opportunities to all the people of the state. Through the land acquisition program, wetlands, forests, scenic areas, prairies, savannas, wildlife and fish habitat, rare species habitat, glacial features, and other resources are being protected and managed.

See Also

Selling Your Land
Land We Buy
Real Estate Contacts
Conservation Easements
DNR Land Acquisition Program [PDF 211KB]
(DNR PUB-LF-035 2003 November 2003)
Land Acquisition Guildelines for Local Governments [PDF 201KB]
(DNR PUB-CF-015-2003 October 2003)
Land Acquisition Guildelines for Nonprofit Organizations [PDF 168KB]
(DNR PUB CF-016-2003 January 2004)
Wisconsin Contract Appraisers [PDF 56KB]
Real Estate Contract and Appraisal Report Guidelines [PDF 214KB]
(DNR PUB LF-048-2007 November 2007)

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Last Revised: Wednesday March 26 2008