Tim Kaul Named March Wizard of Oz

The crew at Treasures of Oz has informed me that they are very proud to be honoring Tim Kaul as the March Wizard of Oz.

Instrumental in various levels of conservation, Kaul’s cover letter includes:

• Founding member of Ulao Creek Partnership;
• Supervisor for Town of Grafton;
• Initiator of a town open space preservation study, which led to a permanent Open Space Commission charged with the duty of protecting Grafton (town) lands;
• First Chairperson of Land Conservation Partnership of Ozaukee County;
• Since being elected as County Board supervisor he has succeeded in creating a Land Preservation Board (2010) and passing an ordinance to accept easements.

But Kaul doesn’t just create policy, he lives it.

On Feb. 1, Kaul and his family donated the first agricultural easement — a 41 acre plot that will remain agricultural in perpetuity. Not wanting to play favorites, they then donated a second in a series of easements to the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust. This land is in the Ulao Creek Watershed which flows on Kaul’s Lake Winds Elk Farm.

Much discussion has been going on at the state and county level about easements and the amount of money that is paid to the land owner.

Normally these easements are bought with public funds and grants. In Kaul’s case, the easement was a full donation.

What’s the benefit to the Kauls?

They rest assured that their land is preserved for future farmers and nature lovers, but hope that their decision will have other benefits. Kaul told Treasures of Oz that he "hopes this easement will inspire other local landowners to follow and consider easement donations or sales to continue to the preservation of working lands and the farming economy in Ozaukee."

Thanks for making Ozaukee a greener place-in more ways than one.