TOWN OF HOLLAND, WI (WHBL) - The road it took to get Amsterdam Dunes into the hands of Sheboygan County took some time, but the hope is to make it worth it. So far, that is the case.
The I’s were dotted and the T’s were crossed last week when a conservation easement was granted at Amsterdam Dunes, part of the land transfer to Sheboygan County ownership. The 333 acre property along Lake Michigan in the Town of Holland was purchased last year as a collaboration between the county and Glacial Lakes Conservancy.
The two entities agreed to work together to keep most of the land as is, being one of the last places in this area of Lake Michigan shoreline untouched by major development. Sheboygan County provided the money for the purchase, while Glacial Lakes Conservancy would be the initial owners so that they could apply for a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant to pay back part the cost.
That grant was awarded last month, leading to the events on July 9. Glacial Lakes Conservancy gave the land ownership and the two-point-four million dollar grant to Sheboygan County, while the county offered a conservation easement for Glacial Lakes.
Conservancy Executive Director Mary Piehl says her group is happy to work with Sheboygan County on the Amsterdam Dunes property and its permanent preservation.
To help the conservancy with its efforts, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust were serve as back-up holder for the easement.