History

Southern Wisconsin Land Conservancy was founded in 2018 when a group of philanthropic donors with an interest in conservation purchased the Decatur Lake Golf Course. The goal in purchasing the property was to restore the natural landscapes and create a regional venue for conservation organizations and events.

Renamed Three Waters Reserve, the venue now serves as headquarters for SWLC, the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association, the Lower Sugar River Field Station, the Applied Ecological Institute, and a farm-to-table enterprise involving local regenerative farmers and chefs. Revenue generated through TWR events and venue rentals serves as an important source of funding for SWLC’s conservation efforts.

Working primarily in Green, Rock, Dane, Lafayette and Grant counties, Southern Wisconsin Land Conservancy currently protects over 590 acres of land.