Conservancy for Healing and Heritage
Mission
The Conservancy for Healing and Heritage is a Wisconsin-based, community-serving nonprofit located in Franklin. Founded in 2005, our mission is straightforward and disciplined: Protect ecologically significant land and ensure that this conserved landscape actively serves the community. Our mission is rooted in the understanding that protected natural spaces support both ecological health and human well-being.
Protected natural spaces contribute to both ecological integrity and human well-being. We serve ALL ages, abilities (ADA approved), ethnicities and genders.
Programs we provide include:
- Environmental sciences education for students and families (woodland ecology, bird habitat, native plant stewardship)
- Health, wellness and resilience programs that encourage low-impact engagement in the We Energies Foundation Healing Garden and Lake & Nature Trails
- Support and survivor groups for individuals navigating cancer, grief, and other life challenges
- Retreats, educational gatherings and partner programs
Funding request details
The Conservancy works collaboratively with local and regional partners to maximize impact and avoid duplication of resources. The Welcome Center provides shared space for meetings, coordinated programming, and cross-sector collaboration focused on conservation, education, and community well-being.
Partners include:
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- University of Wisconsin and the School of Continuing Education
- Local elementary, middle, and high schools
- Wisconsin Master Gardeners
- Badgerland Birding
- Ascension / Reiman Cancer Center
- Wisconsin Parkinson’s Association
- Local health departments and healthcare providers
- Churches and faith-based organizations
- Complementary health providers
These partnerships reflect a strong, homegrown network committed to serving southeastern Wisconsin.
Community Impact
Immediate Impact (First 12 months):
- Expanded access to conservation-based education and nature-centered programming for approximately 12,000 individuals
- Impact measured through visitor tracking, program participation, and partner engagement
Long-term Impact:
- Increased public understanding of land stewardship and conservation
- Strengthened community health and well-being through sustained access to natural space
- Ongoing impact measured through program growth, repeat participation, and community feedback
Specific funding needs
Amount needed
$30,000
How gifts at different levels would be used
$10,000: 2026 Badgerland Birding programs for families & students
$10,000: Music therapy for wellness
$10,000: Nature therapy for health and well-being
Impact in action
Here is a testimonial video.
The Conservancy is unlike other parks. It's not city or county owned. It is funded with donations and open to the public. It was deliberately designed to maximize the healing power of nature. There is a healing chapel, glacial lake, trails, a healing garden, a waterfall, gazebos, and more.
“All the elements are meant to help the human body physiology get into a relaxed state so healing can take place.”
The Conservancy offers nature education, wellness retreats, and more.
It was built for people like Adrienne Zuber. She started coming in 2021 after her battle with lung cancer. "I enjoy just sitting here. A lot of times I will sit a couple of hours. I come two to three times a week,".
Part of her lung was removed. Then she had a few complications that nearly killed her. But she would always find her way back to the Conservancy. It's where she found the power to keep going through the toughest times. To Zuber, this place feels special.
"It's different from going to a park and sitting. You're surrounded with all the trees, beautiful bushes, flowers that are coming out,"
Patients, family members, the general public, and cancer survivors like Zuber and Jackson Poulos.
“A few months ago me and my friend, we came down here every day for about five-six hours just to fish," Poulos said.
The 12-year-old beat abdomen cancer. Once he discovered this space, he kept coming back. I just like to be out alone and just doing my thing," he said.
