Wayne Area Conservancy Foundation conserves newly donated land in Wayne

Elizabeth C. Bramsen (known as Betsy) recently purchased an 18-acre property in the Village of Wayne and is in the process of placing a conservation easement on it as well (Bramsen-Dunham).

The property is located at the southwestern corner of Army Trail Road and Dunham Road intersection.

The land also immediately borders and will effectively buffer a section of Norton Creek which is a tributary to the Fox River.

The property has an important location as it is within a complex of other protected properties including the directly adjacent Village of Wayne Conservation Easement, the Misty Meadow's Natural Area, the Bramsen-Honey Hill Conservation Easement and the Dunham Forest Preserve.

The purpose of the easement is to assure that the property will be retained forever predominantly in its scenic and open space condition for use by the general public for outdoor recreation.

The land will be returned to a more natural state through the purchasing and planting of native prairie seed and will be available for agricultural and equestrian activities to take place going forward.

This is Bramsen's second significant land donation to the Village of Wayne, in 2016 she placed a conservation easement on an approximately 40-acre property along Army Trail Road and adjacent to both the Dunham Forest Preserve and the Dunham Woods Riding Club.

Betsy and her family are longtime supporters of the Wayne Area Conservancy Foundation. She grew up in Wayne with her father, Corwith Hamill, her mother, Joan Hamill, her brother Jonathan Corwith Hamill, and sister Nancy Corwith Hamill Winter.

Her mother, Joan, founded the Wayne-DuPage Pony Club, was a past Master of the Hounds and was also very prominent in the equestrian community. Betsy is inspired to preserve special places that offer significant environmental benefits where people live and play.

By working closely with the DuPage County Forest Preserve, utilizing volunteers, and through generous donations, the Wayne Area Conservancy Foundation has been able to increase the open space in and around Wayne and has also helped preserve some of the historic buildings that are so integral to the Wayne heritage.

The foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and all contributions fund the foundation's projects and programs.

With the help of volunteers and your support, it will continue to enhance the Wayne countryside with open space and to preserve our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.

To learn more about the Wayne Area Conservancy Foundation, visit www.waynearea-conservancyfoundation.org.