Rock Martell and Conservation Manager Erika Lang at the property closing
When Rock Martell retired after running a successful trucking business in Milwaukee, he wanted to find land away from the hustle and bustle of city life so he could spend his days hunting and fishing. He found his bliss when he purchased 200 acres near Bark Point, where he was a ‘fanatic’ bow hunter and tracked deer, gray squirrels, and partridge for many years. He said that in those days, there were more black bears in Bayfield County than permanent residents. He spent his summers in Colorado with wife Barbara to avoid the abundant ticks and mosquitoes.
Thirty years later, Rock finds that his time hunting in deer stands has ended, and he and his wife are entering the next season of their lives. They sold their property in Colorado and plan to divide their time primarily between Milwaukee and South Carolina. When faced with the decision of what to do with his land in Bayfield County, Rock was hesitant to sell. The pristine acreage sits between Highway 13 to the north and Old Highway 13 to the south. Old Highway 13 is now primarily a logging road, and Rock has seen numerous 40s clear-cut over the past ten years.
He didn’t want to see his land and its resources – providing habitat for turkeys, grouse, wolves, coyotes, and countless other species, as well as scenic views for his neighbors – spoiled or destroyed.
The donated property is primarily forested and well drained by an intermittent stream and ravine that cuts across it.
Rock and Barbara decided to donate 160 acres of their Wisconsin land to Landmark Conservancy. Landmark will place a conservation easement on the property to protect its natural resource values in perpetuity and will then sell the protected land to help fund new conservation projects. Rock has retained 40 acres with his cabin and barn that he will continue to visit on occasion.
“It’s a win-win,” said Rock. “I know the land is in good hands, and it will stay like this forever.”
The 160-acre property has had no timber harvests in over 50 years and is located within Landmark’s South Shore Streams Focus Area for Climate Resiliency.
What a fantastic and generous addition to the Bayfield area! I am grateful for people like Rock and Barbara!
Outstanding move, Rock. That’s a classy gesture from a classy guy!
Well done Martell’s – impressive. You provide a great example for us and others on how to preserve nature and the NorthWoods. What a great thought that it must be to know this beautifull forest will never be developed. Thank you!
Steve and Julie Boe, Hayward, WI
Wow, I am moved to tears! So many in our world today are materialistic and desire more money and yet here we see a family so giving. It gives me hope and I am so grateful for this generosity and act of social justice to make sure that the land is taken care of and not destroyed. Thank you so very much. You are an example for the rest of us!
Thank you so much for your generous donation. We were annual renters at Swensons cottages in Corny and were so pleased that that will remain open to public. Bark point is beautiful. Your generosity will ensure that it remains pristine.
Congratulations!
Rock and Barbara,
Thank you for your kind and generous donation, helping to protect yet another piece of this amazing watershed of Lake Superior and keeping it wild!
Very thoughtful and generous. Thank You!
I was raised just 3 miles from this gorgeous land. I am so grateful
That it will be preserved for future generatins
You’ve inspired me to look in to how I can do this with my land. So much forest is being destroyed up here, it’s great to see people taking action to save some of it.