Dane County has very generous people, both with their time and their resources. Over the years our County Parks have been the beneficiary of that generosity. Land donations have added over 2000 acres to our Park system which is about 1/6 of the system's total. Without those families and their generosity, our Park system would not have become the enduring resource for the people of our County. Now another generous donor, Steve Morton, has come forward and added a beautiful forest to our system for people to enjoy - Morton Forest.
Several reasons explain these donations. First, they come from the donor's ethic and belief that the land is not just a resource to be exploited for personal gain but instead is to be passed on to others to enjoy. Aldo Leopold captured that when he said "We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Second, the land has to have special qualities and fit into an environmental plan for the community. Third, people realize that their land needs perpetual care and professional management beyond their capacity and expertise. Fourth, government or private organizations like Land Trusts or public Foundations with a permanent structure and professional management are available to support the upkeep. Five, trusting relationships between the individuals and those who manage the entities, including the staff, and the governing bodies, needs to be ongoing. Finally, there has to be the emotional connection to the gift and what it will accomplish. These elements came together at Morton Forest.
Several reasons explain these donations. First, they come from the donor's ethic and belief that the land is not just a resource to be exploited for personal gain but instead is to be passed on to others to enjoy. Aldo Leopold captured that when he said "We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Second, the land has to have special qualities and fit into an environmental plan for the community. Third, people realize that their land needs perpetual care and professional management beyond their capacity and expertise. Fourth, government or private organizations like Land Trusts or public Foundations with a permanent structure and professional management are available to support the upkeep. Five, trusting relationships between the individuals and those who manage the entities, including the staff, and the governing bodies, needs to be ongoing. Finally, there has to be the emotional connection to the gift and what it will accomplish. These elements came together at Morton Forest.
Bill Lunney, Joe Parisi and Steve Morton Steven Morton is a very special man. While always shying away from the spotlight, his generosity has been felt in many quarters of our community. But it is at Morton Forest where that generosity will be felt for generations to come. The Forest had been in his family for more than a half century and in 1999 he started a partnership with Dane County Parks which finally culminated in this donation in 2016.
Located in the drift less Area and with a spectacular view of Blue Mound, Morton Forest is a peaceful setting nestled in the beautiful landscapes of Western Dane County. The native forests and scenic overlooks are just spectacular. It will not only be a gem for recreation, hiking and enjoyment of the outdoors it can become a laboratory for young people and those of all ages to learn about our natural environment. Steve's wishes for the land to be a source for passive recreation such as hiking and birding will of course dictate the Forests future uses.
What is equal significance is the Steve recognized that it isn't just enough to donate the land, it is equally important to help finance the County's future stewardship of the land. To that end he has created endowments at the Madison Community Foundation to provide for and assist the county in long-term care, upkeep and improvement of this wonderful natural resource and to help develop a Friends group so that community engagement will be fostered from the beginning.
What is equal significance is the Steve recognized that it isn't just enough to donate the land, it is equally important to help finance the County's future stewardship of the land. To that end he has created endowments at the Madison Community Foundation to provide for and assist the county in long-term care, upkeep and improvement of this wonderful natural resource and to help develop a Friends group so that community engagement will be fostered from the beginning.
So all together we have formally added another wonderful gem to our necklace of green that is our Parks System. It captures the rapturous beauty of the hills of western dane county for all of us to enjoy and provides a source of pride for the community. It will be a place where people can reconnect with the natural beauty around us and bathe in the peacefulness of natural resources. So thank you Steve not only from us but from those who will follow.
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