City of Middleton Conservancy Lands Plan Update

The City of Middleton is developing a five-year update to its Conservancy Lands Plan. This plan guides management of 27 conservancies and over 820 acres of conservancy lands.

The 2018-2023 Conservancy Lands Plan updates the 2011-2016 Conservancy Lands Plan and 2005 Conservancy Lands Plan, and reflects changes in Middleton’s land use and citizen interests over the last decade.

City staff envision this plan as, “guiding future [ecological] restoration activities, fostering new working relationships between user groups, and reaffirming the City’s commitment to preserving and enhancing the overall Conservancy Lands System,” according to Mark Wegner, Assistant Director of Forestry and Public Lands.

Draft of the Conservancy Lands Plan 2018-2023 now available for comment.

A new version of THE draft PLAN wAS uploaded May 4, 2018

combined document:

DRAFT Conservancy Lands Plan 2018-2023

plan as individual chapters:

Please submit written comments to clplan@adaptiverestoration.com. Please provide comments on a separate document with reference to chapter and page number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Plan seek to accomplish?

The Plan intends to:

provide recommendations and focus management priorities for the next five years
seek and incorporate public input about conservancy lands
incorporate changes to conservancy lands that have occurred since 2011
document past work done in conservancies and current conditions
update system-wide map of Middleton’s conservancies and individual conservancy maps

For a detailed description, view our Scope of Services

The Plan does not intend to:

Replace individual conservancy area Master Plans
Provide recommendations related to Middleton’s parks and recreation facilities (e.g. sports fields, playgrounds). Parks are addressed in the 2014-2019 Comprehensive Parks and Open Space Plan

What is the timeline for updating the Plan?

The prior Conservancy Lands Plan expired in 2016, therefore, a five-year update is overdue! We are working hard to develop the 2018-2023 Conservancy Lands Plan in a timely manner. Completing the 2018-2023 Conservancy Lands Plan prior to April 1, 2017 will allow the Public Lands, Recreation and Forestry department to devote efforts toward a five-year update to the Comprehensive Parks and Open Space Plan in the later half of 2018.

What is the difference between a Park and a Conservancy?

Conservancy lands are natural areas managed for natural vegetation, habitat, water quality and passive recreation. Trails provide access into and around conservancies and facilities are generally limited to benches and waysides.

Middleton’s conservancy lands include pond, prairie, wetland and woodland ecosystems. These natural areas not only provide ecosystem services, but also offer a range of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing among others. Middleton’s 27 miles of trails connect and wind through many of the conservancies.

Parks are public areas managed for active recreation such as sports and playground activities. Parks tend to have facilities such as pavilions, shelters, playgrounds, bathrooms, and parking lots.

Who is writing the Plan?

In November 2017 the City's Conservancy Lands Committee selected Adaptive Restoration LLC and Resolution Studio LLC to develop the five-year plan update. The Plan is a joint effort between City of Middleton Public Lands, Recreation and Forestry, Adaptive Restoration LLC and Resolution Studio, LLC.

Estimated Project Timeline

September 9, 2017 - Public Lands, Recreation and Forestry posted a Request for Proposals seeking consultants for the development of the five-year Conservancy Lands Plan update.

November 7, 2017 - Award of Service was given to Adaptive Restoration LLC and Resolution Studio LLC

December 1 - January 1 - Stakeholder engagement

December 30, 2017 - January 30, 2018 - Comment period for public input. Online survey open.

January 20, 2018 - Public Input Meeting 2-4pm at the Middleton Public Library: Central Library

January 31, 2018 - Public input survey closes.

February - April - Data analysis and planwriting

April 2018 - Draft plan available for comment

Provide Feedback

Your input is important in the visioning of the next five years of Middleton’s conservancy system. Tell us what you think!

Attend our public meeting on Saturday January 20, 2018 2-4 pm at the Middleton Public Library: Central Library

Take our online survey. The survey closed January 31, 2018.

Review the draft plan

Call, email, or write.

608-515-8566

clplan@adaptiverestoration.com