Help our cause!
Your donation will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions.
Text to Give: Conservancy to 61094 or click the button below.
Celebrate with us May 4
Join us and leadership from Old Growth Forest Network as the Conservancy is inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network on Sunday, May 4 at 1pm. This is national recognition for the Conservancy! RSVP: susan@theconservancy.org or cora@theconservancy.org
Bike Ride Fundraiser
Support us at a Bike/Walk event on Sunday, July 20 with our partner, Friendship Circle WI. It starts at their location in Fox Point and ends at the Conservancy. Register and be sure to join the Conservancy team. All funds raised on our team come back to the Conservancy!
2024 Annual Report
We are pleased to share our results from last year. Click the button below to go to the online version. To request your free physical copy, please contact us. Thank you for your support.
About the Conservancy
Welcome to the Conservancy
Located in Franklin, WI, the Conservancy for Healing and Heritage features a rare combination of ecosystems. Founded by the vision of the Felician Sisters and carried forward by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, this sacred land, with a 70 year history to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, is open to the public.
Mission
We are dedicated to being responsible stewards of the environment by conserving an exceptional 36-acre parcel of forestland and a glacial lake. We offer the Reiman Healing Chapel, We Energies Foundation Healing Garden and Lake & Nature Trails for all who seek nature to improve their well-being. We are especially passionate about supporting and comforting those experiencing physical or emotional distress or disease. The Conservancy promotes respect and appreciation for the natural world through emphasis on the care of creation for all ages.
Purpose
The Conservancy's mission is expressed through our Three Pillars of Service
- Health and Healing
- Personal Enrichment and Education
- Care of Creation and Conservation
History
A healing garden for cancer patients and their families was the goal.
Care of Creation and Care of the Sick and community brought the Conservancy to fruition on land that was born of the Ice Age. Carved by glaciers that created a steep gravel ridge which retreated, leaving behind an enormous block of ice buried in the outwash. It melted to become a 70 ft deep spring fed lake.
1889 - Kopmeier Family purchases the land
1955 - Kopmeier Family donate to Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Archdiocese utilizes land and lake for retreats, rest and rejuvenation. We continue that tradition today.
2003 - Established as an independent 501(c)3.
2005 - 36 acres purchased including Kopmeier Lake (also known as Priests Lake)
2016 - Reiman Healing Chapel in the Woods is open to the public
2020/2021 - Healing Garden and Trails completed.
Partners
We serve our community in personal health, well-being and education.
St. Alphonsus Parish - Greendale
St. Francis Hospital
Wehr Nature Center
Franklin High School
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Ascension Wisconsin
Reiman Cancer Center
St. Gregory the Great Parish - Milwaukee
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - New Berlin
Wheaton Franciscan Sisters
Faith Community Church
Badgerland Birding
Franklin Business Park Consortium
Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Pancreatic Cancer Network
Everyday Wellness for You
Mindfulness Center of Milwaukee
.....and more
Sponsorship of the Lake & Nature Trails still available.
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Funds raised is $6.0 million with $150,000 needed to reach goal.
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.