The refuge was established on November 6, 2012 with the donation of a 12 acre conservation easement conservation easement
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or qualified conservation organization that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property in the future. Conservation easements aim to protect habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife by limiting residential, industrial or commercial development. Contracts may prohibit alteration of the natural topography, conversion of native grassland to cropland, drainage of wetland and establishment of game farms. Easement land remains in private ownership.

Learn more about conservation easement . Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will connect the dots of conserved land in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois. The refuge will ultimately improve or restore more than 11,000 acres of drained wetland basins, historic prairie and forest habitats. Habitat is restored by purchasing lands and easements from willing sellers, helping landowners restore their land and working with partners.