Jerry & Elaine Bayuk with their grandson, Scott Bruning.

Jerry & Elaine Bayuk have their own inter-generational volunteer program going with their grandson, Scott Bruning. It began when they planted trees with Scott’s family at Governor Nelson State Park for Earth Day. Scott seemed to have “staying power” for the project, and liked the idea of volunteering in the environment again. But he didn’t want to do it alone, so Jerry & Elaine began volunteering with him. They have participated together in May Flower Day, and stenciled storm drains for Take a Stake in the Lakes, among other projects. Jerry & Elaine have also participated in our Prairie Plant Propagator program.

Jerry & Elaine first got really involved with the out-of-doors when they lived for three years in the Baraboo Hills. They are former members of the Audubon Society, and current members of the Wisconsin Society of Ornithologists. On vacations they look for nature centers and wildlife areas rather than famous buildings to visit. “That’s what makes us happy,” says Elaine, “that’s our thing.” Their three grandsons are following in their footsteps. Living a mile apart, they enjoy a close and active relationship with each other. They all like to visit Cherokee Marsh, watch birds and get familiar with the world of flowers, bugs and rocks. Their eldest grandson, Eric, is interested in meteorology. Elaine suspects that Kevin, the youngest, is developing a strong interest in nature, too. With Elaine & Jerry showing the way and making it fun, it’s no surprise that their grandsons enjoy nature.

The County, with the help of various partners, has invested nearly ten million dollars in the preservation of natural, cultural and recreational real estate during the past eight years. From springs that feed Lake Mendota with millions of gallons of clean water, to one of the oldest archaeological sites in Dane County, the real estate we buy is some of the most beautiful and unique open land left in the County.

Even though this real estate has tremendous public or community value it also has an economic value. It is the economic value that determines what we pay for the land we buy. The County contracts with Certified General Appraisers to provide an opinion of the economic value of the real estate we purchase. This economic value is based on the principal of “highest and best use”.

Appraisers establish highest and best use for a parcel based on zoning, local master plans, neighborhood trends, and the physical attributes of the site. Once highest and best use is determined the appraiser goes into the market place to locate private, arms-length sales of real estate which are similar to that being appraised. By comparing these sales to the subject property , the appraiser can establish a trend in the market place and form an opinion on the value of the property being appraised.

The County seldom relies on one opinion when buying a parcel of land. We often get two or more appraisals and staff does market research as well. These efforts are all directed toward finding a fair price for the land. Fair for the tax payers of Dane County and fair for the landowner selling the property. There is a considerable body of law governing the process of valuing and buying land for a public purpose. The laws are far more complex than can be explained here, but the process is fair and effective for everyone.