Conservancy for Healing and Heritage

Welcome to the Conservancy 

Located in Franklin, WI,  the Conservancy for Healing and Heritage is a 36-acre parcel of land in southeastern Wisconsin that features a rare combination of ecosystems. This unique piece of land is Milwaukee County’s only kettle and glacier lake. This sacred land, with a connection to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, for the first time will be open free to the public.   

We are protecting this natural habitat while creating shared spaces for comfort, spiritual inspiration, healing and education. The Nature Trails, Healing Garden, Healing Chapel in the Woods, and Kopmeier Lake (also known as Priest's Lake) are surrounded by forestland with a history going back to the settlement of greater Milwaukee in the 19th century.  The lake is flanked by a steep glacial moraine covered in mesic hardwoods. The forest floor is alive with wildflowers in the spring and mushrooms in the fall.  

We honor the heritage and mission of the owners before us. 

The land was born of the Ice Age. Carved by glaciers that created a steep gravel ridge which then retreated, leaving behind an enormous block of ice buried in the outwash. That mammoth cube melted to become a 35 ft deep spring fed lake.  

1889 - Kopmeier Family purchases the land

1955 - They donate land to Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Archdiocese utilizes land and lake for retreats, rest and rejuvenation. We continue that tradition today and forever.

2003 - Conservancy becomes an independent 501(c)3

2005 - Conservancy purchases 36 acres including Kopmeier Lake and the surrounding woodland and wetland

2016 - Reiman Healing Chapel in the Woods is opened to the public

2017 - Initial clearing of the Healing Garden and upper Trail

2018 - Phase II initial work on the Healing Garden and Healing Chapel upgrades begins

The lake and the land around it is protected from future development forever. 

Partnerships mean the Conservancy is serving our community in spiritual, health and well being and education. (Imagine all that will be happening when it's complete!)

Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Franklin High School

The Nature Conservancy

Archdiocese of Milwaukee - Office of Worship

Ascension Healthcare

Reiman Cancer Center

St. Alphonsus Parish - Greendale

St. Mary's Parish - Hales Corners

Aurora Women's Pavilion

Faith Community Church 

Milwaukee County Parks

Badgerland Birding

.....and more 

Sponsor the Conservancy or the Lake & Nature Trails. 

BE A HERO! Help us finish by Fall 2019.  

Funds raised is $4.0 million with $945,000 needed to complete.  ​ 

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A memorial or honorarium is a way to recognize a family member or friend.

No gift is too small. To find out ways you can help click the button below.