Marathon Co. landowner donates 30 acres to the North Central Conservancy Trust

April 14, 2025

MARATHON COUNTY – The North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) is celebrating a recent land donation by a Marathon County resident.

In early March, NCCT’s Executive Director, Chris Radford, and Board President, Jill Falstad, said Mary Binkley donated her 30-acre property in the Town of Texas to the nonprofit land trust organization. 

Radford said the nonprofit plans to retain ownership of the property and open it to the public for gentle recreation and nature exploration – making this NCCT’s fourth nature preserve within its central Wisconsin service area.

Binkley – a supporter of conservation initiatives around the state – said she grew up in Wausau, residing now in Dane County, and inherited the property from her parents, Richard and Doris Bartholomew, who purchased it in the early 1960s for family recreation. 

“My four siblings and I are very happy to have NCCT own and care for the property we learned so much from while growing up,” Binkley said.

With more than one-quarter-mile of Big Cain Creek flowing through it, Falstad said this 30-acre property has remarkable value to conservation. 

“It’s a beautiful property and we share Mary’s vision to protect this important habitat forever,” she said. “NCCT is sincerely thankful for this generous donation.”

Mary’s donation, Radford said, also helps NCCT surpass an exciting milestone: more than 500 acres protected in Marathon County.”We are truly grateful to Mary for this incredibly generous and inspiring gift,” he said.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to permanently protect this special place and the natural resources found within for future generations.”