Osterman Granite and Marble

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” ― John Muir 🦋🤍💫

Like John Muir, Aldo Leopold could eloquently share his observations of small parts of an ecosystem and their delicate interaction with each other. This connection, however, was not always known. Largely, ecology, the study of the relationships between living organisms and their physical environment, is a new concept!

This new ground we are treading can be used as a backbone to how we observe, use, and respect the landscape around us. Being in tune with the land around us, listening to its aches and pain and shouts for joy all play a role into building our own land ethic.

📷: Jim Backus

Last week we received high commendations from the WI Land & Water Conservation Board at our 5-Year Review of the Ashland County Land & Water Resource Management Plan! Some of my staff's accomplishments that I am most proud of include our Natural Flood Management landscape-scale demonstration project to increase flood storage capacity in the Marengo watershed. This 4-year project was an effort to reduce erosion hazards and increase flood storage as we work toward climate resiliency. The project was awarded 5 grants totaling $653,000, including a direct allocation from the Wisconsin Legislature. Additional notable work includes implementation of 52 cost-share projects with private landowners from 2020-2023 to prevent soil erosion & improve water quality, including 72,674 feet of Livestock Fencing, 8 Livestock Watering Facilities, 328 feet of Stream Crossings, 44 acres of Wetland Restoration, Well Decommissioning, and much more. In addition, more than 2,500 acres were enrolled in Nutrient Management Plans, and numerous programs and activities were implemented to prevent Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) from Ashland County waterbodies including thousands of boats being inspected at local boat landings, 30+ lakes and marinas monitored for AIS, Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Iris control efforts, employing 2 annual college technician positions to assist these efforts, and dozens of education and outreach activities. Thank you to an amazing staff!

Finished a beautiful pure quartz Cristallio kitchen with full height splashes and farm sink. NICE!

One of the most beautiful bars we've ever done. Fusion quartzite, a rare find.