Minnesota landowners hold keys to protect forests, cold water lakes Family turned to trust to protect cold-water lake property. July 10, 2021 5:12pm Text size Copy shortlink:
From a wooded shore, Wabedo Lake stretches out in classic Minnesota North Woods form: a few docks, stands of rippling wild rice, a small fishing boat quietly gliding by.
The Siemering family wanted to guarantee future generations could have the kind of lake experience they have cherished. So instead of selling their 116 acres of lakeshore forest for development, they turned to the Northern Waters Land Trust. The family sold it to the conservation nonprofit, which in turn conveyed it to Cass County, ensuring the forest will never be altered or built on and will be open to the public to use.