Bob Lewis is connected to his land in a way that few people are—the land has been in the family for nearly 150 years. Along with his wife Margaret, Bob is still farming the land naturally, without chemicals, the way his great-grandfather did when he homesteaded the land so long ago.

Having grown up on the land, Bob feels connected to it. “I know every foot of the farm,” he remarks. “I always had a feeling for it and for the soil itself”—which is why he knew that he had to do something to protect the land that means so much to him. Developers are hungry for property in this area, especially shoreline, which is quickly becoming a choice living location for commuters to the Twin Cities.

Because they were concerned about the ever-increasing development that was happening all around them, Bob and Margaret decided to protect their land so it would remain healthy for the wildlife that live there and for the children who swim in Crystal Lake.

The wildlife and scenic beauty of the property are chief reasons why the Lewis’ decided to protect their land. “Everybody mentions how beautiful it is around here with the lake and everything, so that was maybe another reason that pushed me to do this. I was concerned about the way the countryside is going away, but I figured I could do what I could do on my own land,” said Bob, whose property sits on the north shore of Crystal Lake in Rice County.

The land contains woodland, pasture and hayfields, in addition to about one-third of Crystal Lake’s total shoreline. In the spring, wildflowers bloom; ducks, geese and the occasional band of trumpeter swans arrive, which usually draws spectators from around the area.

Some may chide him for passing up the opportunity to cash out to development, but Bob knows that preserving the land that means so much to him and which is so beautiful for others, is the only decision that made sense.

Bob and Margaret's story is a familiar one. It's the story of regular folks who grew up here. People who have grown to love the land and know that we need to save some of it for nature and for future generations.

Whenever we talk to people about Minnesota, we hear stories of special places like the family farm, the campsite up north, the land where we go hunting. Unfortunately, these places sometimes disappear -- forever -- the natural land replaced with asphalt and buildings.

But it doesn't have to be this way...

The Minnesota Land Trust works to protect these special places by working directly with the people who can make a difference: the individuals and families who have owned and cared for these lands for generations.

Working with communities and private landowners alike, we protect these wild and scenic places forever. Minnesota Land Trust members have helped protect 35,000 acres of some of the best land in Minnesota. These are places like the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Mississippi River Blufflands of the southeast, the Wilderness Lakes of northern Minnesota and special pieces of parkland and open space in our towns and cities.

But we need you to join us!

When you make a tax-deductible contribution to the Minnesota Land Trust, your gift helps us to identify and work with communities and landowners to create lasting protection for wildlife and future generations of Minnesotans.

To find out more about our work, and to read about our latest land protection projects, please visit us online at www.mnland.org.