"...It is not only an ecological restoration, but a human one as well."
-Shirley Liska
Our Mission
To serve as a welcoming and inclusive gathering space where loved ones, students and coworkers can celebrate, learn and deepen their connection with nature. Three Waters Reserve commits to restoring and preserving the historic natural landscapes of the Lower Sugar River Valley, and connecting people to the bounty of this beloved land through purposeful events and unique culinary experiences.
A Historic Venue Restored to Its Natural Beauty
Purchased In 2018 by a charitable land trust, Three Waters Reserve is a privately-owned event center and nature reserve located along the Lower Sugar River near Brodhead, WI. Once home to the historic Decatur Lake Golf Course, the event center now sits on 57 acres of protected lands, restored to their original beauty and managed by the owner, Southern Wisconsin Land Conservancy. All events hosted at The Reserve provide direct support for ongoing conservation efforts on the property, and in the greater Lower Sugar River Watershed.
An Unparalelled Setting
The dramatic topographic relief and panoramic vistas range from wildflower prairie and river views to majestic oak savanna with century old trees. The unique blend of habitats on the property make it an important area for biodiversity, including several rare species of plants and wildlife. The property, and surrounding preserves and wildlife management areas, comprise over 7,000 acres of conservation lands in Southern Wisconsin. Today, more than 80% of Lower Sugar River Watershed is agricultural, making the remaining natural fragments critical to protect.
A Community Affair
The upper level of the event center can be reserved for both public and private gatherings, where you and your guests can savor farm-to-table fare from our award winning resident chef and enjoy in-house bar services. When events are not in session, we welcome nature lovers to walk our trails and share the idyllic setting with sandhill cranes, deer, turkey, red-headed woodpeckers and coyotes. The lower level of the facility is home to the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association Field Station, a hub for watershed research, citizen science, conservation-minded art workshops and education.
Our Team
We are a dynamic group of ecologists, conservationists, chefs and entrepreneurs bound by a common thread of creativity, a drive to sow purposeful connections and a shared mission for leaving the world a better place than we found it.