PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR)
The Town of Dunn's PDR program is a voluntary farmland protection method that compensates landowners for inhibiting future development on their land. Through this program, the Town of Dunn purchased its first property on April 22, 1997, from the Sinaiko Family. It was the first Purchase of Development Rights transaction in the state of Wisconsin, as a plaque on the property now explains. The property held a former Native American campsite, and a portion of the property is now a Town Park. The Town continues to use this tool today in order to fulfill the mission, goals, and strategies of the program. The Town's Land Trust Commission oversees the PDR program. Click here for more information about the Land Trust Commission.
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PDR Links
Benefits to Landowners and Residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Timeline of PDR Accomplishments
Ordinance Creating the Rural Preservation Program and Land Trust Commission
Mission, Goals, and Strategies of the PDR Program
Cost of Community Services Studies
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PDR Statistics
Currently, the Town holds 38 conservation easements on 37 protected properties, covering 3,856 acres and representing about 17.9% of the area of Dunn. When including the conservation efforts of other organizations, about 31.7% of the Town's area is currently protected.
Town of Dunn: 3,958 acres
Groundswell Conservancy: 136 acres
Wisconsin DNR: 1,574 acres
Dane County: 970 acres
The Nature Conservancy: 154 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Org: 71 acres
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For questions regarding the Town's PDR program, contact Kelsey Shepperd, Land Use and Conservation Manager, at (608) 838-1081 ext. 2 or kshepperd@townofdunnwi.gov.
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​Land Use Links