A scenic gorge that has drawn visitors to Prescott for over a century is now permanently protected as Pine Coulee Nature Preserve, thanks in part to grants from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, according to the Pierce County Journal.
The Pine Coulee Farm, owned by the Christiansen family since 1935, has been transformed into a public preserve through a partnership between Landmark Conservancy and Friends of Freedom Park. The property’s rocky gorge was so popular in the early 1900s that a 1907 painting of Pine Coulee still adorns the Pierce County Courthouse dome in Ellsworth.
Preservation efforts began in 2020 when Israel Haas of Friends of Freedom Park approached Landmark Conservancy about protecting the site. Landmark secured grants through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to help fund the project, along with federal support through the U.S. Forest Service Community Forest Program. The fundraising goal was achieved in summer 2024, with the purchase closing nearly a year later.
“Permanent land protection takes a long time to go from an idea to fruition, but the lasting benefits are worth their weight in gold,” said Landmark Conservancy Executive Director Rick Remington. “Future generations will thank this community partnership for the foresight in setting aside a local landmark for all to enjoy.”
Located along Wisconsin’s Great River Road, Pine Coulee Nature Preserve offers access for both Prescott residents and tourists. Visitors can park at the gravel area near the Veteran’s Memorial at the end of Cedar Lane and Monroe Street, where an access map is posted.
Featured image from Landmark Conservancy, 2023
