2025 Fall Landscript

Unique Riverfront Protected in Manistee County

New and Exciting Land Protection Projects Ahead Honoring Dori Turner's Lasting Conservation Legacy

A Letter from Glen Chown

Dear Friends,

I hope that you’ve had a chance to enjoy the beauty of summer in northern Michigan. Whether it was time spent on the water, walking your favorite trail, or simply pausing to watch a golden sunset, summer always reminds me of how fortunate we are to live in such a remarkable place. Now, as the days shorten and we look forward to the brilliant fall color season that defines our region, I am reminded once again of the urgency and importance of our shared mission to protect the lands and waters that sustain both people and nature.

At the time of this writing, I have just returned from Rally, the Land Trust Alliance’s annual gathering of conservation organizations from across the country. More than 1,600 participants—staff, board members, and partners from land trusts of every size and scale— came together to learn, share, and strengthen our collective impact. Attending Rally always leaves me inspired and reinvigorated. It is a chance not only to celebrate what conservation has achieved nationally, but also to recognize the new challenges and opportunities we face.

While AI may offer some efficiencies, it also raises new considerations—including the significant negative impacts to natural resources due to the water and energy, required to power massive data centers. And, perhaps most inspiring, we discussed opportunities for creative partnerships that can multiply the impact of our work in ways none of us could achieve alone.

This year, several themes stood out. We spent time examining the shifting policy and funding landscape— a reminder that while conservation is timeless in purpose, it is always evolving in practice. We also explored the continued and urgent need to support our region’s farmland and farmers, ensuring that agriculture remains a thriving part of our landscape and economy. Another thread of conversation was the growing role of artificial intelligence in our world.

I was joined at Rally by several of my colleagues from both our staff and board. Together, we returned home energized, with a notebook full of ideas that may inform our Strategic Direction process, which is just beginning this fall. Our updated Strategic Direction will guide our organization over the next five years. It is both a responsibility and a privilege to imagine what the future holds for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) and to chart a course that ensures we are ready to meet it.

While Rally gave us space to learn and reflect, the pace of our work here at home has never been more intense—or more promising. With the top 20% of priority lands for conservation identified across our five-county service area, we are pursuing projects with a clarity of purpose and a sense of urgency. At present, we have 19 active, board-approved land protection and stewardship projects underway and another 23 in our pipeline.

Some of these projects are the most ambitious GTRLC has ever undertaken. They will protect the very things that make northern Michigan unique: our fresh, clean water; our pristine forests; our sweeping scenic vistas; and our irreplaceable agricultural heritage. The ripple effects of these efforts are profound.

By safeguarding land, we are ensuring healthier ecosystems, strengthening our local communities, and preserving the character of this place we all call home.

Of course, none of this happens in a vacuum. Conservation has always been about more than land transactions. It is about people—working together, learning together, and committing to a shared vision that extends beyond any one of us. That is why it is so important that we remain attentive not just to the landscapes we protect, but also to the changing world around us. From the global challenges of climate change and technological shifts to the local needs of farmers, families, and communities, everything is connected. And every decision we make today will echo far into the future.

As we move forward into this new season— both the literal autumn unfolding outside our windows and the latest chapter of planning and progress within the Conservancy—I want to thank you. Your support, your engagement, and your belief in this mission make everything we do possible. Together, we are ensuring that the beauty we celebrate in summer and fall, the waters we depend on year-round, and the lands that nourish us will be here for generations to come.

With gratitude for all you do to stand with us,

Glen Chown GTRLC Executive Director

Pine Knolls: A Family’s Legacy Preserved

KURT AND COLLEEN SCHINDLER PRESERVE HISTORIC PROPERTY WITH SIGNIFICANT PINE CREEK FRONTAGE, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND “ASPIRING OLD-GROWTH”

On a crisp fall day, GTRLC Director of Land Protection Chris Sullivan met Kurt and Colleen Schindler at their home near Wellston when a bald eagle soared overhead. Later, as they stood along the banks of Pine Creek, a convocation of eagles lifted one after another from the trees.

“There were 12, 15, maybe even 20 bald eagles,” Sullivan said, surmising that the plentiful stands of white pine provided prime hunting perches for the eagles during the fall salmon run. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

For the Schindlers, the spectacle is a regular occurrence. An avid photographer, Kurt frequently captures photos of the abundant wildlife on his property. “It’s just special,” he said. “I have my morning tea on the porch that looks down over the creek. It’s almost like cheating—I just set up my camera on a tripod and take a picture of an eagle 30 feet away, resting on a tree limb.”

The roughly 40-acre property, known as Pine Knolls, is tucked deep in the Manistee National Forest, reached by a winding two-track road. It consists almost entirely of dry-mesic pine-oak forest, including several enormous white pine trees that rise above the canopy—some estimated to be at least 150 years old. Pine Creek, a cold and fast tributary of the Manistee River, flows for over 800 feet through the property, providing critical habitat for fish and invertebrates.

Kurt’s family first came to Pine Knolls in 1931, when the site served as a meeting point between relatives in Manistee and Cadillac—before M-55 connected the two towns. Family stories recount driving along two-track roads through the woods, roaring engines around corners to brighten their generator-powered headlights. For the past 49 years, Kurt and Colleen have made this property their home.

“I just love it here,” Colleen said. “I hope it always looks the same.”

Kurt and Colleen Schindler with a towering white pine tree at Pine Knolls estimated to be at least 150 years old.

Now, the Schindlers are ensuring the property remains largely unchanged by voluntarily donating their development rights to GTRLC through a conservation easement. This legal agreement permanently limits how the property can be used, protecting the creek, forests and abundant wildlife while adding an important buffer to the adjacent National Forest. The easement also safeguards a portion of the North Country Trail, where the Schindlers maintain a small campsite for hikers, prepared with a picnic table, fire ring and supplies.

The easement marks the first time GTRLC has protected frontage along Pine Creek, which flows for over 20 miles before joining the Manistee at the “Udell Rollways”—a historic log-sliding site. Despite its modest size, the creek plays a critical role in the Manistee River watershed. It is a designated trout stream and a key spawning tributary for salmonids, with salmon and steelhead traveling from Lake Michigan to spawn here—feeding the river and the lake’s fishery. Its largely intact riparian corridor and surrounding forest also help maintain stable groundwater inputs, crucial for keeping water temperatures cool and preserving water quality in the creek and the larger watershed.

Yet Pine Creek still bears the marks of the logging era. An old earthen dam, once used to move timber downstream, altered the creek’s natural flow in ways that remain visible today. “It’s more active than a natural stream shifting,” Sullivan described. “As someone who used to study fluvial morphology (the study of how rivers and streams shape landscapes), it’s really cool to see. It’s not nearly as stable as most Michigan rivers—you can see the path of it migrating.”

Those same decades of logging that shaped the creek cleared vast swaths of Manistee County’s forests—including much of Pine Knolls. Today, Kurt, a nationally recognized land-use planner and former Michigan State University Extension educator, is using his expertise to help the creek and the forest heal.

Working with forestry experts, he has developed a detailed forest management plan to increase the land’s biodiversity and resilience. Kurt has identified and mapped many of the property’s majestic “aspiring old-growth” white pine trees, as he calls them, which are believed to have sprouted during the late 19th and

early 20th centuries. Over the years, the Schindlers have planted red cedar, black cherry, serviceberry, hazelnut and crabapple; restored a one-acre meadow rich with native wildflowers and grasses; and designated buffer zones for forest restoration and cedar planting along the creek.

Kurt and Colleen walk their land twice daily, noting changes to the forest and watching the diverse wildlife. In addition to eagles, they’ve spotted raptor species like Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Screech Owl and even a set of Great-horned Owl chicks. The property also provides suitable habitat for rare and threatened species, including Red-headed Woodpeckers, Redshouldered Hawks, eastern box turtles and, of course, Bald Eagles—all State Species of Special Concern.

Overlooking the meadow is a striking observation tower, where Kurt photographs the property during each solstice to document seasonal change. In spring and summer, the meadow hums with pollinators and fills with songs of chickadees, bluebirds and the distinctive call of the Eastern Whip-poor-will at night.

“Protecting this land makes us feel good,” Kurt said, reflecting on his family’s legacy and connection to the land. “There's an emotional attachment to this property—it's been in the family a long time. Hopefully, I live long enough to see it in the family for a hundred years.”

If you would like to learn how a conservation easement could help safeguard your property, contact Chris Sullivan, Director of Land Protection, at csullivan@gtrlc.org or visit GTRLC.ORG.

Carrying the Torch

LONGTIME SUPPORTER, FRIEND AND GTRLC BOARD MEMBER, DORI TURNER, LEAVES LASTING CONSERVATION LEGACY

By 2005, GTRLC’s Coastal Campaign had reached a milestone: more than 6,000 acres of dunes, forests and farmland along the Lake Michigan coast in Benzie and Manistee counties had been protected. Among those places was Old Baldy, a beautiful and rare dune treasured by generations of locals and visitors.

That summer, Dori Noble Turner stood along Lake Michigan's shore, gazing across the Watervale Peninsula. Beside her stood GTRLC Executive Director Glen Chown, Charitable Giving Specialist Kate Pearson and Bill White, former chairman of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

“I remember looking at her face and seeing the joy in her eyes,” Pearson said. She recalled Dori’s eyes sparkling as brightly as the lake. “She was so incredibly pleased.”

For Pearson, it was a pinnacle moment—the first time she saw the impact of her work and the campaign through Dori’s eyes. For Dori, it marked the protection of her family’s legacy.

Reshaping the Future

Dori’s unwavering commitment to preserving Benzie County’s natural landscapes shaped her life until her passing in 2024.

“She loved it,” said Dori’s daughter, Jennie Schmitt. “It was her life’s work.”

Jennie remembers her mother as someone ahead of her time—composting and recycling long before it was common, and sourcing food locally well before the “farm-to-table” movement. “My mom was doing things before they were things,” she said.

Among Dori’s most significant contributions, made alongside her parents, Vern and Vera Noble, sister Jo Bahry and brother Skip Noble, was the permanent protection of the Watervale Peninsula. Perched on Lower Herring Lake, where its outlet flows into Lake Michigan, the Victorian-era Watervale Inn and

Above: A view of the existing boardwalk at the Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve, which will be extended and include a new platform with views of the lake, marl pit and wildlife.

its lakeside cottages have remained in the KraftNoble-Turner-Schmitt family since 1917, welcoming generations of summer guests. Dori took over as innkeeper from her mother in the 1980s. By the 1990s, developers had set their sights on transforming the property into a private marina and luxury homes.

At the same time, the Conservancy was just getting started. Dori’s longtime friend Reg Bird—who had

spent summers across the lake as a camp counselor and met his wife, Dori’s best friend Ann, at Watervale—informed Dori of the newly formed land trust. Sharing her family’s love for Watervale, he encouraged them to consider protecting their land by relinquishing development rights to the Conservancy.

“Dori is one of my heroes,” Chown reflected. “Her legacy—you can't calculate the scale of it, but you know it every time you hike the beach or stand at the Old Baldy overlook.”

In 1990, then owners Oscar, Carolyn and Steven Kraft safeguarded roughly 25 acres of Watervale’s forested bluffs and 1,500 feet of Lake Michigan frontage by donating two conservation easements to Rotary Camps and Services, with the understanding that the easements would be transferred to GTRLC once it received nonprofit status.

After turning down several lucrative offers, Vera signed a conservation easement in 1995 that protected an additional 80 acres at Watervale, including over 5,000 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline and nearly 7,000 feet along Lower Herring Lake. Together, their efforts halted development that would have reshaped the coast and sparked a wave of conservation that followed.

“It’s safe to say that if the Kraft-Turner-Noble-Schmitt family hadn’t made that heroic decision to protect their land at Watervale, there wouldn’t have been a Coastal Campaign,” said Chown, “and places like Arcadia Dunes and Green Point Dunes might never have been protected.”

Building on a Legacy

In the following years, Dori became increasingly engaged in land conservation. At Watervale, she tore out invasive species, planted native dunegrass and

installed a buffer garden to protect the lakes’ water quality. In 1999, she joined GTRLC’s board of directors and, within just three years, expanded the protected footprint at Watervale by another 75 acres.

Among the guests who returned to Watervale each summer were GTRLC’s former board chair, John Collins, along with his wife and children. Collins grew to know Dori and Vera well, working closely with them to craft the easement for the Lake Michigan property as their attorney.

“Dori had such a huge impact on me,” he said. He credited her for introducing him to Chown and encouraging him to join GTRLC’s board of directors. “She was so strong, and had a view of what’s right, and how to do what’s right.”

To Collins, Dori’s dedication to conservation was a natural extension of her mother’s vision. “She was executing the wishes of her mom,” he recalled. “She took that and applied it to other places of GTRLC’s work.”

Beyond Watervale, Dori played a central role in protecting places like the Upper Herring Lake, Arcadia Dunes and Green Point Dunes Nature Preserves. Her sincerity, strategic thinking and tireless dedication made a lasting impression on the people who knew her and the lands she helped preserve.

“Dori is one of my heroes,” Chown reflected. “Her legacy—you can't calculate the scale of it, but you know it every time you hike the beach or stand at the Old Baldy overlook. Some of my best days were spent working with her. We made a great team.”

The Heart of the Coastal Campaign

In 2003, GTRLC had an option to purchase the property now known as Arcadia Dunes: The C. S. Mott Nature Preserve from CMS Energy for $18 million, provided the Conservancy could secure the funds by the year’s end. The risk: losing the land to a large-scale golf course and condominium development.

The opportunity arose at a time when Dori and Reg Bird both served on the Conservancy’s board of directors. Bird, then chairman of the board, was

responsible for bringing Bill White to tour the property and see the majestic dunes for himself—an important step that laid the groundwork for support from the C.S. Mott Foundation. The foundation pledged a $7.5 million grant and a $6.5 million interest-free loan, contingent on GTRLC raising $5 million between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Bird and Dori offered their full support and encouraged GTRLC to dive in. Chown recalled a phone call from Dori in which she shared one of her mother's favorite sayings: “It's better to shoot for the moon and hit a star than to aim for the fence post and miss."

Rising to the challenge, Dori hosted weekly barbecues at Watervale and invited GTRLC staff to make fundraising pitches to their guests. She supplied wine, hors d’oeuvres and—most importantly—her endorsement.

“It was Dori who provided the entree to Watervale guests, and it made a huge difference,” Pearson recalled. “Her warmth, welcome and seal of approval were worth their weight in gold.”

Many of the guests had never donated to GTRLC, or even owned property in Michigan, but gave generously to save Old Baldy—out of respect for Dori as much as their love for the land. Some gave large gifts. Others,

like the Watervale waitstaff, donated half their tips.

“All of our guests and neighbors really embraced the urgency and the need,” Jennie recalled the effort as having a unifying effect. “I think they recognized what we have here in Benzie County—with Old Baldy and that whole property—is really special.”

Continuing to push forward a vision of protecting the entire dune coast, Dori also played an instrumental role in the Conservancy’s “encore campaign” to protect Elberta Dunes South.

“It was always her vision to go all the way to Betsie Bay,” Chown said. “So it’s fitting that soon after she passed away, we realized that vision with our most recent protection effort along Elberta’s Waterfront.”

A Lasting Tribute

For Jennie and her family, a tradition of caring for the natural world continues to tie their family together and shape their way of life. “It’s pretty amazing,” Jennie said. “When guests arrive, I can tell them that within five miles, there are probably 10 different amazing hikes—and many of them are Conservancy lands.”

Now, one of GTRLC's first projects and Dori's favorite place to hike, Upper Herring Lake, is the site of a new project honoring her life and contributions. GTRLC is currently fundraising for the planned improvements, and in the spirit of Dori, many of the same families who loved Watervale and helped save Old Baldy are rallying once again.

“Watervale has been the backdrop of countless happy family memories,” said Tripp Amdur, who has generously provided a lead gift for the project. “The generosity of Dori and her family in preserving the land that surrounds Watervale, and Dori’s leadership in working with GTRLC to preserve other land in the area, ensures that ours and other families will continue to enjoy Watervale for generations to come.”

The project will improve the preserve’s existing boardwalk by adding an elevated platform offering scenic views of the lake, as well as the marl pit, wildlife and surrounding protected lands—without disturbing the preserve’s sensitive habitat.

“I know that Dori wanted to see the Upper Herring Lake boardwalk extended,” Amdur continued. “I am sure

she would be happy with the plans we’ve made, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with the GTRLC and other Watervale families to make this a reality. It’s a symbol of our gratitude for all that Dori has meant to us.”

The project fulfills Dori’s vision for the preserve while allowing others to experience it, a fitting tribute to her lifelong commitment to conservation in Benzie County. Without her tireless efforts and the generous support of so many Watervale families who followed her lead, many of our region’s favorite preserves and trails simply wouldn’t exist.

“Her fierce passion to preserve that magnificent stretch of dunes—where she spent every summer of her life—emboldened me to do everything I could to help lead the effort on this end, and she led it on that end,” Chown said. “That whole experience of dreaming big and shooting for the moon—I think we did hit a star. She was a star.”

To share your support for the new project at Upper Herring Lake, please make a gift on our website at GTRLC.ORG or contact Marissa Garrock at mgarrock@gtrlc.org or (231) 929.7911.

Creating Trails That Last

SUSTAINABLE TRAILS PROTECT SENSITIVE NATURAL FEATURES, REDUCE LONGTERM MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVE VISITORS’ EXPERIENCES IN NATURE

The satisfying rhythm of a gentle climb. A firm and dry path underfoot, even after days of rain. A bend that opens to a panoramic view. There is a certain magic to exploring a well-crafted trail.

But great trails don’t happen by chance.

Over the last two decades, sustainable trail design has become the standard at GTRLC. Following the natural slopes of the terrain, these trails are built with the landscape. They shed water, resist erosion, minimize impact to sensitive habitats and offer safe, enjoyable experiences for visitors.

“If a trail is designed and built to sustainable standards, it should be there for many years,” said Steve Lagerquist, longtime GTRLC land steward and trail expert. “There won’t be any soil movement, and maintenance is typically just clearing branches and things that have fallen across the trail.”

Sustainable trails are part of GTRLC’s growing portfolio of recreational opportunities that focus on meeting communities’ needs. These trails enhance visitors’ experiences in nature while protecting the land’s ecological integrity—and they reduce maintenance needs over time.

The process begins with an ecological assessment to identify wetlands, wildlife nesting areas and other sensitive features that should be avoided. Using ArcGIS mapping tools and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data, stewardship staff analyze a property’s topography, tree cover and drainage patterns to map an initial route. That’s followed by detailed on-theground work, where adjustments are made based on the steepness of the terrain and to minimize tree removal, only cutting a few saplings where necessary.

Then, stewardship staff walk the land…again and again. “If it looks pretty good, we’ll go out and pin flag the actual route,” Lagerquist said. “Then we’ll do a botany survey to ensure there isn’t anything sensitive that we need to avoid.”

That step was central to the design of the trail at Hickory Forest Natural Area, opened in 2023. The property’s northern mesic forest habitat, which boasts remarkable plant diversity and supports a wide range of animal species, also features steep terrain and was expected to receive high foot traffic. A botanical survey was conducted to identify rare or vulnerable plant species, leading to careful route adjustments before construction began. The result: a trail that ascends

gradually, accommodates frequent use, minimizes ecological disturbance and offers hikers a fantastic botanical experience.

“An important part of the process is understanding what people want to see, as well as the sensitivities, and figuring out how to guide visitors to those opportunities in a sustainable way,” Lagerquist said.

Construction commences after the route is finalized, clearing the trail corridor of sticks and branches before soil is excavated to ensure ground conditions are suitable for trail construction.

Throughout the trail-building process, water management is a major consideration. Poor water management, the leading problem with unsustainable trails, leads to erosion that quickly damages trails, incurs expensive repairs and diminishes trail users’ experiences. A key technique used to manage water is the bench cut, where part of a hillside is carved out to create a stable, level and comfortable path for walking, but tilted just enough to shed water.

“If there is a giant rainstorm, a bench cut trail allows water to flow across the trail instead of down it,” Lagerquist said. In addition to reducing erosion from running water, this method prevents puddling on the trail, which causes people to walk around the puddle and causes damage to the flora beside the trail.

After a heavy rain, stewardship staff revisit newly built trails to assess performance, identify potential washout sites and make refinements, such as removing exposed roots from the trail bed.

Lagerquist learned firsthand about the trailbuilding process during the construction of the singletrack system at Glacial Hills Natural Area, where he was introduced to the International Mountain Biking Association’s sustainable trail standards. There, he saw how thoughtful design could blend user enjoyment with a trail’s longevity.

“It’s more of an art than a science,” he said, emphasizing that the construction of a trail depends on the landscape’s size and intended uses. He explained that mountain biking trails, which are typically longer and

must accommodate factors such as speed, blind corners and elevation changes, are often built using efficient machinery that ensures the right width. In contrast, most of GTRLC’s trails are designed for hiking, usually built with the help of volunteers, staff and crews from the SEEDS Youth Conservation Corps.

“From a technical standpoint, hiking trails are a much easier beast,” Lagerquist said. “You can work more sinuosity into them and weave around trees and difficult areas more easily.”

That hand-built approach was recently used to redesign the newly named Elizabeth Perkett Family Trail system at Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve. Home to some of the region’s most beautiful landscapes, the preserve features a round trip of nearly three miles of trail, unique bird habitats and stunning Lake Michigan views. But it was also home to a trail that had, over time, revealed its flaws.

Originally built more than 20 years ago, the trail’s steep, direct descent down a dramatic, 360-foot bluff had become increasingly eroded, with exposed roots, shifting sand and widening tread caused by hikers trying to navigate the tricky terrain.

“The original trail just wasn’t a sustainable design, and the high number of people visiting the preserve exacerbated that issue,” said Lagerquist. “It’ll be an easier hike now, and the trail will hold up a lot better in the long run.”

With the help of a SEEDS crew, GTRLC carefully rerouted the most degraded sections. The improved trail maintains the same mileage and elevation change—and leads to the same breathtaking views— but with a more gradual descent. A series of soil retention steps now guides hikers to the bluff, and in the steepest areas, helps prevent further erosion.

“I want people to experience the preserve—whether that’s the lake views or flowers—I want them to find that experience exceptional,” Lagerquist said. “It should fulfill what they wanted to do in nature in a sustainable way.”

GTRLC’s network of trails exists thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers who build, maintain and steward our trail systems. If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to Volunteer Manager Erica DesJardins at edesjardins@gtrlc.org or visit GTRLC.ORG/volunteer/. To learn more about GTRLC’s stewardship efforts, please visit GTRLC.ORG/stewardship.

SUSTAINABLE TRAIL DESIGN ON

Many factors are considered when deciding where a trail might be sustainably built on a property. The process begins with an ecological assessment to identify wetlands, wildlife nesting areas and other sensitive features that must be protected. Staff also analyze a property’s topography, tree cover and drainage patterns to map an initial route.

A leading problem with unsustainable trails is improper water management. This can lead to erosion that quickly damages trails, incurs expensive repairs and diminishes trail users’ experiences. Understanding the movement of water over a landscape and a proposed trail is an integral component of sustainable trail design.

GTRLC’S NATURE PRESERVES

A key technique for managing water is the bench cut. This method involves carving into a hillside to create a stable, level path on sloped terrain, which helps divert water away from the trail. During heavy rain, a bench cut trail allows water to flow across the path rather than down it, preserving the land’s natural drainage patterns and preventing harmful erosion of the trail bed.

Once the final design is complete and the trail is constructed, GTRLC creates and installs wayfinding trail maps to help people orient themselves and easily navigate the area. While these maps are designed to be simple to read, each trail is thoughtfully and sustainably crafted according to each property’s unique features.

Trail construction costs vary significantly depending on the trail type and the specific site conditions of each property. For example, constructing one mile of standard trail may cost approximately $10,000, while a universally accessible trail—composed of half boardwalk and half gravel—can exceed $1 million.

Annual trail maintenance costs also vary. On average, we allocate $150 per trail mile each year for staff maintenance. In addition, volunteers contribute nearly 2,100 hours annually to construct and maintain trails.

These beloved community assets come with significant expenses and would not be possible without the help of our volunteers and supporters.

Searching for the Trees of the Future

GTRLC VOLUNTEERS ARE RECORDING THEIR ENCOUNTERS WITH ASH TREES AND GROWING HOPE FOR THE TREES’ RECOVERY FROM A DESTRUCTIVE INSECT PEST

Conservancy volunteer Paula Dreeszen was repainting trail blazes at Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve in 2020 when something unexpected caught her eye.

As Paula explained, it pays to look up when painting the marks that guide hikers through miles of trail maintained by GTRLC. Blazes painted on dead or dying trees won’t last long. When she saw the characteristic diamond-shaped ridges of white ash bark near the trail, she expected to look up and see a denuded crown empty of leaves.

“I was surprised to look up and see that the canopy was still alive,” Paula recalled.

The reason for the surprise is over a decade in the making. As Paula recounted, a brilliant green insect called the emerald ash borer arrived in Detroit in 2002, most likely hitching a ride from Asia in packing material. After hatching, the insect larvae bore into ash bark, creating characteristic D-shaped holes. They eat through the inner bark and starve trees of nutrients. With no natural predators in the U.S., the ash borers’ spread has rapidly decimated many populations of ash species.

Ash trees are special. Black ash has provided basket-making materials for Anishinaabe communities for millennia, and has other cultural significance for Indigenous peoples. They supply food and habitat for wildlife. Their straight-grained lumber has myriad construction uses. The rapid decline of ash due to the borer has been devastating for people and ecosystems alike.

When Paula spotted the healthy adult white ash in 2020, she filed its presence away as an anomaly. A few years later, when a Conservancy staff member sent her a webinar about “lingering” ash trees that have thrived in spite of the borer infestation, she realized she knew where she and her husband, also a conservancy volunteer, could find some.

“It was a big treasure hunt for us,” Paula said. “Bryce mountain bikes weekly out in Arcadia Dunes. He would see the ash seeds, which look like little torpedoes, out on the trail. After dinner, we’d go back out and look for the trees.”

Searching for lingering ash is new for the Dreeszens, who have been dedicated Conservancy volunteers for the last

25 years. The couple moved to the Grand Traverse area from Wisconsin in 2005, but were GTRLC supporters for years before relocating. Bryce primarily works on trail maintenance and scheduled work days. Paula, who has volunteered in various capacities, currently helps Volunteer Manager Erica DesJardins with communications, pulls invasive species and leads incredibly popular wildflower walks.

“There are four preserves within two miles of our summer cottage near Arcadia Dunes,” Bryce said. “We’re surrounded by Conservancy property here, and we’re motivated to keep it healthy and natural.”

The Dreeszens record information about the live ash trees they find on a phone application called TreeSnap. To date, they’ve found 89 lingering ash near their home.

Their efforts are the result of a collaboration between the Conservancy and Holden Forests & Gardens in northeast Ohio. Holden launched the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative to promote restoration of trees like ash, Eastern hemlock and others whose populations have plummeted due to

insects and pathogens. TreeSnap data tells Holden and Conservancy staff the location and status of lingering ash trees.

“Our goal with this project is to use our nature preserves as reference sites for larger ecological studies about ash trees’ survival,” explained Angie Bouma, the Conservancy’s senior conservation ecologist. “It would be ideal if we could someday propagate resistant seeds and plant them in priority areas.”

GTRLC preserves are great locations to research a potential ash resurgence due to their largely unmanaged nature. With one exception, where staff have protected a stand of adult white ash in the Arcadia Dunes Preserve, dead ash are left to decompose and saplings grow at will. Remaining ash trees may produce offspring that are resistant to borer infestations.

White ash that grow near Lake Michigan’s shoreline may have a distinct advantage compared to their inland relatives. Bouma speculated that humidity and cooler temperatures along the shoreline could help ash trees stay healthier and better able to resist pest species.

This fall, the couple will search for ash seeds to contribute to breeding efforts. They’re also keeping an eye out for the hemlock woolly adelgid, a deadly invasive insect that saps Eastern hemlock trees of nutrients and water, which has been spotted in Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau and Manistee Counties.

“Paula and Bryce are amazing,” Bouma said. “It’s been inspirational to work with them because they’re so dedicated and thoughtful. They’ve been consistently helpful for all these years.”

The Dreeszens encourage others to seek out volunteer opportunities with the Conservancy, and to record their lingering ash sightings on TreeSnap.

“It’s great to see the living ash trees, even if they’re surrounded by ones that have already been killed by the ash borer,” Bryce said. “They give us hope for the future.”

This tagged White Ash is part of a small grove and has been treated to withstand the emerald ash borer. While most ash trees at Arcadia Dunes have been lost, this cluster is periodically treated so future generations can see what a mature ash looks like.

Lingering Ash Observations at Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature

Unlock Tax-Smart Giving in 2025 with Qualified Charitable Distributions!

Are you 70½ or older and looking for a tax-efficient way to make a charitable impact? Consider making an impact for our natural world through a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA! Your support makes it possible to expand trails, preserve wildlife habitats and ensure future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty we treasure today.

What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

A QCD allows you to directly transfer up to $108,000 in 2025 from your IRA to a qualified charity, tax free. For married couples, each spouse can donate up to that amount from their own IRA, potentially totaling $216,000 in tax-free gifts in 2025.*

That’s right—the money goes straight to the Conservancy without being counted as part of your taxable income.

Avoid taxes on transfers of up to $108,000 from your IRA

Satisfy some or all of your required minimum annual distribution

Make a gift that is not subject to the deduction limits on charitable gifts

A gift through your IRA is a win-win situation that both supports you and the work of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy!

To learn more about how to create a legacy of generosity, contact Charitable Giving Specialist Barb Heflin today: bheflin@gtrlc.org or (231) 922.1254.

*For those over the age of 73 who are taking a Required Minimum distribution, please note that you must make QCDs by December 31, 2025 for them to count toward your RMD.

Rooted in Community

GTRLC AMBASSADOR SALLY PROCTOR FINDS SENSE OF BELONGING, CONNECTION AND PURPOSE THROUGH VOLUNTEERING

When Sally Proctor first arrived at the Conservancy, she was seeking something more than a way to pass the time. Having recently moved with her family to a home west of Traverse City, she didn’t know many people in town, and Sally, a naturally social and outgoing person, wanted to start building community right away.

“I saw the Conservancy’s listing for a part-time job and thought, ‘Great! The Conservancy—those are going to be my people,” she recalled. “And that proved correct— they are my people.”

What began as a part-time administrative role has evolved into a volunteer ambassador—a welcoming presence at the Conservation Center and a crucial link between GTRLC and the community. She regularly leads tours, assists with guided hikes and answers questions from visitors, bringing warmth and a deep-rooted passion for conservation to every interaction.

Yet Sally’s support for land protection began well before she set foot through the Conservancy’s doors.

“Seems like everyone in my family is involved with the conservation movement,” she said, recalling an

upbringing filled with a love for the natural world. Her cousin served on the board of the Leelanau Conservancy, her niece founded a land trust called Reserva, and her sister worked for The Nature Conservancy. “Conservation is our family value.”

Sally was raised in Mount Gilead, Virginia, a small rural community about an hour from Washington, D.C. Her family lived on a 40-acre parcel where they tended a large garden, had horses and raised cattle. Their home, a farmhouse built in 1790, was surrounded by rolling hills and multi-generational farms—some dating back to colonial land grants in the 1600s.

“It was this idyllic community that supported one another,” she recalled. “It didn’t feel special or unique— everyone lived on the land. You could just walk through people’s fields and forests—we had free roam.”

Like many rural towns near urban centers, Mount Gilead’s quaint identity began to change in the 1990s, when forests were cleared, farms were sold and subdivisions took their place. Reflecting on her childhood, Sally explained that she not only felt the loss

of the land, but of the people who cared for it—her community.

“The people who moved in were not stewards of the land—they saw it as a symbol of wealth, maybe, not something that would give you a garden,” she said. “That’s something I love about northern Michigan—you can still find the people that a road is named after living on that road. You can’t separate those families from their land.”

She hasn’t been back to her hometown in 30 years. “It’s still too hard,” she said. “I’m almost to a place where I feel like I can go, but not yet.”

Sally’s professional and personal paths began taking shape at Interlochen Arts Academy, where she fell in love with her husband, Addison, and northern Michigan. Her career as a dancer eventually led her to New York City, and later, she gravitated toward missiondriven organizations, including Patagonia and the Open Space Institute, a national nonprofit dedicated to land preservation.

Yet even while living in the nation’s largest city, Sally and Addison remained close to northern Michigan. They briefly lived on their sailboat called “Wahbekanetta,” the Anishinaabemowin name for Interlochen’s Green Lake, and later, they purchased a barn on 70 acres near Upper Herring Lake. “We would visit our little farm and daydream about planting cherry trees and living there someday,” she said.

But life, and the practicalities of raising a young family, prompted them to reconsider

their original dream. They sold the property and eventually returned to the region in 2022, settling in a historic barn near Hickory Hills. “We came back because we love it here, and we knew it would be a great place to raise our kids,” she said.

Today, Sally takes comfort in seeing her children explore forests and trails the way she once did. At the same time, she is mindful of the region’s increasing popularity. “The secret is out on how special northern Michigan is,” she said, noting the growing challenge of balancing growth with community needs, such as housing, and preserving the very things that make the region special.

When you value something, it empowers you to come together to protect it.

When the opportunity came to become a GTRLC ambassador, Sally knew it was a natural fit. “I have to admit, I’m a little addicted to it,” she said. “This working in service of a greater purpose—it’s just human nature. I think we’re just wired to find purpose.”

As a bridge between the organization and the wider community, Sally plays an important role in shaping how people experience and understand GTRLC’s mission.

“I love the challenge of it,” she explained. “We have such a diversity of people coming through our doors, or inquiring about what we do, who come from all different backgrounds and values. I love helping people find where they can make a connection.”

PHOTO: RICK KANE

Sally also sees her role as an opportunity to build trust and understanding. “We sometimes get questions about how we’re funded, or what purpose we serve. I love those conversations, and being able to guide people to facts,” she explained. “I’m proud of being able to explain that GTRLC is here for everyone. Our work is of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Despite the challenges facing northern Michigan, Sally has found purpose and hope through her volunteer service.

“I really do feel that the superpower of this organization is the people who support it,” she said. “We’re lucky. They know what’s at stake. And when you value something, it empowers you to come together to protect it.”

To learn more about volunteering with GTRLC, visit our website at GTRLC.ORG/volunteer or contact Volunteer Manager Erica DesJardins at edesjardins@gtrlc.org.

Project Roundup

It’s been a productive season for land protection and stewardship across our region. From spectacular shoreline to quiet stretches of forests and wetlands, we’re adding critical pieces to the map of protected lands.

Below, you’ll find information about the GTRLC's latest efforts. Some of these projects enhance preserves you may already know, expanding recreational opportunities, connecting wildlife corridors and safeguarding more of our region’s precious shoreline. Others involve conservation easements that ensure private lands stay healthy and productive for generations to come.

Together, these efforts protect clean water, provide vital habitat and keep northern Michigan’s landscapes as beautiful and wild as they are today for future generations.

Check out a detailed project map on page 34, and visit GTRLC.ORG for the latest updates on our active projects. As always, thank you for your continued support—our work isn’t possible without the help of people like you!

Birch Point Nature Preserve Additions

Total Project Cost: $208,654

The Birch Point Nature Preserve (pictured left) is one of the latest preserves protected by GTRLC, having opened in 2024. Located in western Benzie County, the preserve encompasses a portion of Platte Bay’s globally rare wooded dune and swale complex, a habitat unique to Great Lakes shoreline areas. With the addition of two forested parcels totaling roughly 146 acres, this new preserve has now more than doubled in size.

These parcels were purchased by GTRLC from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and deed-restricted, protecting the land from future development and ensuring it remains open to the public. The additions connect a vital wildlife corridor that stretches from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore through the preserve to protected private land along Rush Lake. The land consists mostly of dry-mesic oak-pine forest, along with approximately 30 acres of wetlands. The additions also safeguard approximately 3,500 feet of frontage on Rush Lake’s eastern shore.

A preliminary floristic quality assessment indicates a Floristic Quality Index (FQI), used to determine botanical species diversity, of 44, highlighting the land’s significance from a statewide perspective. The additions host at least two species of special concern: the Redshouldered Hawk and Bald Eagle, and provide good habitat for other rare wildlife species.

Fundraising complete.

Torch Lake Nature Preserve Addition

Total Project Cost: $66,083

The Torch Lake Nature Preserve is set to expand, thanks to the generosity of conservation-minded landowners who have offered to donate nine acres of land located west of the existing preserve. This proposed addition features mesic northern forest habitat, which enhances the preserve’s natural upland corridor and contributes to broader landscape connectivity. Additionally, since the preserve’s existing trail system runs closely along the preserve’s western boundary, this addition will serve as a natural buffer, protecting scenic views and visitors’ experiences on the land.

Fundraising complete.

Wilcox-Palmer-Shah Additions

Total Project Cost: $223,158

We’re pleased to share that the Wilcox-Palmer-Shah Nature Preserve (pictured below), situated just north of Elk Rapids, has grown by 21 acres! Thanks to two recent additions made possible with the help of generous supporters, the preserve now protects approximately 79 acres of high-quality forest, wetland and meadow habitats along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

One of the additions boasts exceptional ecological quality, featuring healthy mesic northern forest and northern hardwood swamp habitats. A preliminary FQI returned a score of 43.5—well above Michigan’s statewide average of 20 and exceeding the threshold of 35, which indicates statewide ecological significance.

The second addition, formerly home to the Elk Rapids Sportsman’s Club, has gone under remediation due to past lead contamination, and native wildflowers are beginning to reclaim the land. Aside from adding important acreage to this preserve, this acquisition presents the opportunity to restore the former shooting club to full ecological health. It also extends the scenic corridor along US-31 north of Elk Rapids and protects Lake Michigan water quality by preventing development, particularly paved surfaces so close to the lake.

Fundraising complete.

Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature

Preserve — UA Trail Improvements

Total Project Cost: $514,251

We’re thrilled to announce that construction on the next round of improvements at Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve began this fall! This third phase of upgrades will make the preserve more accessible and enjoyable for visitors of all ages and abilities.

The new Universally Accessible (UA) pathway, featuring aggregate and boardwalk surfaces, will link the Pyatt Road and Peninsula Drive trailheads, providing a complete UA route and a longer trail experience for visitors with mobility challenges without the need to walk on Pyatt Road. We’re also upgrading the Peninsula Drive parking area with UA parking pads similar to those at the main trailhead, and replacing the old orchard with native trees to restore it to a more natural landscape. Meanwhile, a SEEDS crew is working to hand-build a trail from the southernmost observation platform to Peninsula Drive, providing safe walk-in access for neighbors of the preserve.

Thank you to the many generous donors, including a dollar-for-dollar matching gift from The Carls Foundation, who made this project possible.

Fundraising complete.

Bob’s Woods Nature Sanctuary

Total Project Cost: $617,178

The proposed Bob’s Woods Nature Sanctuary rises from sensitive wetlands to a forested ridge between Platte and Crystal Lakes. This ecologically significant property will permanently protect 70 acres of mesic northern forest and rich conifer swamp habitat, supporting diverse wildlife. This intact natural landscape helps to slow and filter runoff, playing an essential role in protecting the water quality of both lakes and the broader watersheds.

Bordered on two sides by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and located approximately one mile from Birch Point Nature Preserve, the proposed sanctuary also serves as an important link between previously protected areas, enhancing habitat connectivity within a critical ecological corridor.

Active Project – remaining need: $617,178

Medenbrook Nature Sanctuary –Saffron Forest Addition

Total Project Cost: $559,996

A generous landowner has offered to donate 143 acres of high-quality upland forestland, as an addition to Medenbrook Nature Sanctuary. Adjacent to the existing sanctuary and state-owned land, this property strengthens a vital wildlife corridor connecting the ecologically significant Deadstream Swamp and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The addition features a diverse mix of upland and wetland habitats that support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Its varied vegetation and rolling terrain create extensive edge habitat—ideal for nesting, foraging and hunting—adding to the ecological richness and resilience of the landscape. GTRLC is actively fundraising for associated acquisition and organizational costs, as well as the property's continued stewardship.

Active Project – remaining need: $137,380

Upper Manistee Headwaters: The Milock Family Preserve — ‘Excelsior’ the Perch Lake Addition

Total Project Cost: $1,362,045

GTRLC is working toward its goal to protect ‘Excelsior’ the Perch Lake addition, a 340-acre property adjacent to Upper Manistee Headwaters: The Milock Family Nature Preserve. Located west of the existing preserve, this ecologically rich property includes a mix of mesic northern hardwood forest, early successional forest, wetlands and several bogs. It also encompasses all of Perch Lake, a scenic, undeveloped lake surrounded by forested wilderness.

A recent botanical inventory identified 173 plant species on the property, with the vast majority being native. The assessment calculated an adjusted FQI score of 44.6, confirming the site’s significance on a statewide level. Notable species include bladderworts, pitcher plant, wood betony, beech drops and various native grasses.

By protecting this land, we can prevent future development, preserve wildlife habitat and safeguard water quality in the Manistee River watershed. The property also provides the only practical access to the preserve’s remote northwest corner, and it would create a wider buffer for the hundreds of plant and animal species that thrive in this ecologically rich area.

Right now there is a dollar-for-dollar challenge from the J. A. Woollam Foundation matching every gift up to $260,000. You can double the impact of your gift and help us cross the finish line by donating today at GTRLC.ORG.

Active Project –remaining need: $580,542

Connecting People, Practices and Place

One of the most exciting aspects of moving into the McMullen Family Conservation Center has been opening our doors to the people and organizations that make conservation possible in northern Michigan, and sharing their vital work with our community.

This past spring, GTRLC launched the Priority Landscapes Learning Series, a six-part event lineup designed to showcase the practices and people behind land protection and stewardship. Throughout the series, attendees were invited to learn about conservation efforts in our region through visual displays and lectures in the Debra Edson Family Learning Gallery and activities at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve. Each event focused on a different conservation practice, covering topics like native plants, prescribed fires, the reintroduction of the Arctic Grayling and the history of Michigan’s land conservation movement.

Throughout the series, we featured one of our highest-priority projects—the proposed ‘Excelsior’ Perch Lake Addition to Upper Manistee Headwaters: The Milock Family Preserve. Encompassing an entire pristine lake, ecologically rich wetlands and hardwood forests, this landscape supports exceptional plant and wildlife diversity while playing a critical role in the health of the Manistee River watershed.

Celebrating the efforts of our partners was among the series’ highlights. Presentations led by expert ecologists, tribal representatives and community leaders sparked insightful conversations about what’s happening across the landscape— and why it matters. We were honored to co-host events with the Botanic Garden at the Historic Barns Park, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Interlochen Public Radio, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan Natural Features Inventory and The Nature Conservancy, to name a few.

Early in the series, we were joined by Helen Taylor, the State Director for the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, who offered insights on the historical significance of Michigan’s conservation movement.

“Understanding our history gives people better clarity for why we’re choosing the projects we are today, and their importance and urgency,” she explained.

She emphasized that collaboration has been essential for the growth of each organization. “Nothing we do happens alone— everything involves partners,” she said. “We all bring different strengths, and when we combine resources, that’s when we’re at our strongest.”

At the Explore Native Plants event, Interlochen Public Radio’s Ellie Katz brought her trademark curiosity to a wide-ranging conversation about how native species help create healthier, more resilient ecosystems, starting at the base of the food web.

“Sometimes, it's easy to get a little glassy-eyed when hearing about ecosystems. It's just an abstract idea,” she said. “But Chris and Angie made so many plants— and their roles in our ecosystems—come to life. The plants felt like characters, like neighbors…Folks were bursting with questions about these plants, and there wasn't enough time to answer them all, but I know they went away from the event with a deeper curiosity about native plants and the role they play in the landscapes we all love.”

In June, we closed out the series with a guided hike through the Perch Lake property, led by Senior Conservation Ecologist Angie Bouma and Matthew Ross, executive director of The Botanic Garden at the Historic Barns Park. Earlier in the series, Ross and Bouma also co-hosted a lecture about the importance of native plants in both large-scale restoration efforts and home gardens.

“The lecture and hike worked in tandem and allowed those who attended to see what this property has to offer,“ Ross said. “There is a strong bit of momentum as a result of that tour…It showed the importance of not only field botany and how that relates to the need for conservation, but how it dramatically affects gardeners’ appreciation for what’s growing in their own landscape.”

To top it all off, we’re thrilled to share that, thanks to a generous matching challenge grant from the J. A. Woollam Foundation, gifts for this project are currently being matched dollar-for-dollar up to $260,000! This property’s protection will expand the existing Upper Manistee Headwaters Preserve, safeguard a portion of the Upper Manistee watershed and ensure this critical habitat permanently remains intact.

We loved connecting with so many of you this year, and are already looking ahead to what’s next. We’ll return next year with more conversations, field experiences and opportunities to connect people, practices and place. See you there!

To learn more and register for upcoming GTRLC events, visit our website: GTRLC.ORG.

From Field & Forest to Front Yard with GTRLC's Angie Bouma and Matt Ross from The Botanic Garden at the Historic Barns Park

Michigan’s Conservation Movement with GTRLC's Glen Chown and Helen Taylor from the Michigan chapter of The Nature Conservancy (pictured top)

Explore Native Plants Up Close with GTRLC staff and Interlochen Public Radio (pictured bottom)

Prescribed Burns with GTRLC's Cody Selewski and fire ecologist Mary Parr from Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Arctic Grayling Reintroduction with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (pictured middle)

Upper Manistee–Perch Lake Addition Hike with GTRLC staff and Matt Ross

Love Forest Conservation Easement

Total Project Cost: $318,152

This 47-acre property in Benzie County features early successional aspen forest and a small open area, offering valuable transitional habitat for wildlife such as Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock and white-tailed deer. While not as rich as mature northern hardwood stands, aspen forests evolve over time, gradually giving way to more complex forest communities.

Bordering the popular Betsie Valley Trail, the property contributes to a larger forested corridor stretching west to Crystal Lake—an important ecological link supporting species movement and biodiversity in a region facing ongoing development pressure.

Given the property’s location and characteristics, GTRLC plans to purchase and protect the property with a conservation easement before reselling it. A generous donor has committed to funding the purchase price, additional fundraising is needed to complete the project. Proceeds from the eventual resale will support other conservation efforts.

Active Project – remaining need: $67,205

Davock Forest Conservation Easement

Total Project Cost: $434,494

The Conservancy is working to permanently protect 175 acres of high-quality northern hardwood forest, wetlands and agricultural land on a prominent ridge overlooking Torch Lake. This property runs along the east side of the lake, creating a significant corridor of protected land between the Torch Lake Nature Preserve and other protected private land.

The forest supports rich biodiversity, while a three-acre wet meadow—fed by two streams totaling 2,000 feet of frontage—flows westward into Torch Lake, safeguarding water quality. The property also includes an antique apple orchard and a row-cropped field in its eastern portion, both maintained with sustainable management practices. The three sibling owners, committed to both conservation and stewardship, enrolled 127 acres in the Commercial Forest Program and developed recreational trails throughout the land. They have also agreed to a 25% bargain sale of the conservation easement, helping ensure the property’s ecological, scenic and agricultural values will be preserved for generations.

Active Project – remaining need: $335,744

Crystal Beach Forest Conservation Easement

Total Project Cost: $1,139,241

GTRLC has the opportunity to protect 69 acres of ecologically significant forestland on Crystal Lake through a conservation easement with the Crystal Conference Center, a historic church-owned camp established in the 1920s. The easement will cover undeveloped forest—including two wooded ridges with scenic lake views—while excluding most camp infrastructure.

The land is part of a critical wildlife corridor linking Crystal Lake and the Betsie River, offering habitat for bald eagles, red-shouldered hawks and other sensitive species. Its intact mesic northern forest, featuring sugar maple and eastern hemlock, plays a vital role in filtering stormwater and safeguarding Crystal Lake’s water quality.

The landowners have generously agreed to a bargain sale of the property’s development rights and giving GTRLC until October 2026 to complete the purchase. As a Tier 2 forestland protection priority, this project holds great promise for inspiring additional conservation across this ecologically significant landscape.

Active Project – remaining need: $230,820

Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve — Trail Improvements and Restoration

Total Project Cost: $1,162,342

This past season marked the third year of restoration at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve, and just as the saying goes: the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps and the third year it leaps! The preserve bloomed with a stunning display of wildflowers throughout the summer thanks to the help of our dedicated volunteers.

Since the preserve opened in 2022, volunteers have clocked more than 1,400 hours pulling weeds and invasive species, planting native seedlings, collecting seeds, caring for goats and assisting with a variety of tasks in our onsite greenhouse. Not only that, but they also planted approximately 800 trees across the preserve this spring. An additional 650 are planned for this fall to create a vital wooded stream buffer. Meanwhile, our partners at Conservation Resource

Alliance are preparing to conduct fish surveys in anticipation of upcoming stream restoration work.

Significant headway was also made clearing 12 acres of invasive autumn olive with the help of a local contractor—and what a difference it has made! This effort has opened up sunlight and space, allowing native species to show healthy signs of growth. At the greenhouse, a new shadehouse was installed to support native plant propagation.

Finally, the preserve grew by another 1.5 acres this year, securing a key link for the future extension of TART’s Three Mile Trail. Visit our website at GTRLC.ORG to discover how you can get involved and learn more about this incredible transformation.

Active Project – remaining need: $49,555

Once dominated by invasive autumn olive, the boardwalk trail at Mitchell Creek Meadows now winds through an open area where native plants have come back in abundance and are able to flourish.

Maple Hill Ecologically Managed Forest

Total Project Cost: $238,649

This 40-acre forested property in Benzie County will become part of GTRLC’s growing portfolio of ecologically managed forests. A generous donor has committed to covering the purchase price, leaving GTRLC to fundraise for organizational and acquisition costs associated with the property, as well as its continued stewardship.

Situated atop a moraine ridge between Crystal Lake and the Betsie River, the property features highquality hardwood forest dominated by sugar maple and black cherry trees. With a long history of silviculture, it remains well-suited for continued regeneration and sustainable forestry under responsible management practices.

The property lies within an important east-west wildlife corridor on the south side of Crystal Lake, enhancing regional biodiversity and habitat connectivity. As development pressure increases across nearby communities like Frankfort, Elberta and Beulah, protecting intact forestland like this is key to maintaining the ecological integrity and water quality of the surrounding area.

Active Project – remaining need: $49,189

Betsie River Island

Conservation Easement

Total Project Cost: $57,137

GTRLC has an exciting opportunity to protect roughly 35 acres of ecologically significant land along the Betsie River. A generous landowner has offered to donate the conservation easement leaving GTRLC to fundraise for the remaining acquisition, organizational and stewardship costs associated with the land's protection.

The property features about 2,000 feet of river frontage, including the main stem and a braided branch that forms a natural island with a half-acre pond, and supports a mix of rich conifer swamp, upland forest and grassland habitat.

Adjacent to the Railroad Point Natural Area, this property’s protection will enhance the buffer of protected land around this popular site. Additionally, its wetlands are crucial for filtering runoff and supporting water quality within the Betsie River watershed, while the varied habitat provides essential nesting and feeding grounds for a wide array of wildlife species.

Active Project – remaining need: $27,137

Elberta Waterfront Community

Conservation Project — Phase II

Total Project Cost: $27,582,277

GTRLC and our partners continue to make steady progress on the Elberta Waterfront Community Conservation Project. Following the successful acquisition of this stunning, 35-acre property in late 2024, we are now setting our sights on the second phase of this transformative effort. This phase focuses on enhancing the newly protected landscape through ecological restoration, long-term stewardship and the creation of a new public park that expands access to Elberta’s beautiful shoreline.

Plans for Phase II are moving ahead for the 18.5-acre portion* of the property along Lake Michigan, which is set to become a public park, owned and managed by the Village of Elberta. Over the summer, the Conservancy assisted in removing the dilapidated buildings and a chain link fence from the property.

In a significant step forward, the Village of Elberta has submitted a request for approximately $5 million in public funding to facilitate the acquisition of the property from GTRLC. The Conservancy will continue holding the land in the interim, while also permanently retaining roughly seven acres with critical dune habitat as a nature sanctuary.

GTRLC is also working with partners to plan for the beach-to-beach segment of the Betsie Valley Trail— a long-held dream of many in the community. This trail extension will link Frankfort and Elberta’s municipal Lake Michigan beaches and connect to 22 miles of scenic trails in Benzie County.

Meanwhile, the Michigan State Land Bank Authority has recently released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from a developer to transform the approximately nine acres located east of Elberta’s Waterfront Park. This area, which features access to municipal water and sewer, is poised for redevelopment that aligns with the community’s vision for economic revitalization. Proceeds from the eventual sale of this land will contribute to establishing a fund dedicated to the longterm care and maintenance of the adjacent public park.

*As is often the case with GTRLC's land protection projects, this acreage has been updated following a recent land survey.

Active Project – remaining need: $7,526,167

PROPOSED NATURE SANCTUARY

GTRLC will retain 7 acres of the highest conservation importance that contain critical dune habitat.

PROPOSED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND

Nine acres east of the Waterfront Park, which has access to municipal water and sewer, will be set aside for community-aligned redevelopment.

EXISTING VILLAGE OF ELBERTA PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS

PROPOSED PUBLIC PARK ADDITION

18.5 acres near the Elberta Pier at the mouth of Betsie Bay, including 578 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline, will be transferred to the Village of Elberta for use as a public park with an endowment for long-term care and stewardship. EXISTING BETSIE VALLEY

BEACH-TO-BEACH TRAIL

The acquisition would allow the Betsie Valley Trail to extend through the property, connecting Frankfort and Elberta’s municipal Lake Michigan beaches. This segment would also link to 22 miles of scenic trails in

Total Project Cost: $11,092,252

The Conservancy continues to make progress toward protecting The Ridge (pictured on the cover of this issue), a proposed nature preserve in East Bay Township. This project not only promises breathtaking views from its summit but also offers substantial benefits for water quality, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Recently, an additional 92 acres north of the proposed nature preserve were added to the project, enhancing these benefits and presenting a unique opportunity to help address the region’s housing needs.

Preliminary results from an ongoing Floristic Quality Assessment have revealed an impressive array of biodiversity, documenting 439 plant species across the landscape. This includes 75 newly identified species in the northern addition, which elevates the combined FQI to 69.1, underscoring the rarity and ecological significance of the land. Within the addition is undisturbed hardwood-conifer swamp habitat—believed to be part of one of the last remaining, partially intact wooded dune and swale communities. High conservation value species, such as cuckoo flower, three-leaved false Solomon’s seal and foamflower thrive here, while a new county record has been established for floating manna grass.

The diverse topography of the land, combined with its proximity to the popular TART trail, also opens up exciting opportunities for creating an extensive trail system. GTRLC anticipates the addition of roughly four miles of new trail within the 306-acre preserve, which could become a significant part of a recreational corridor that extends from Traverse City.

While this project aims to protect the property from large-scale development, such as the more than 1,100 housing units recently proposed for the site, GTRLC recognizes the Grand Traverse region’s pressing need for housing. To that end, the Conservancy is collaborating with partners to earmark a small portion of the land for housing. The northern addition allows for a flat, previously disturbed, roughly six-acre area—equipped with access to existing water and sewer infrastructure— to support up to 30 units of much-needed housing.

This initiative seeks to help address a critical community need while safeguarding the land’s most ecologically significant areas.

The property was acquired with a loan from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which must be repaid by March 2027. A dollar-for-dollar match opportunity for The Ridge is being offered, up to $200,000, thanks to the generosity of the Benton and Hepler families.

East Bay Township approved a $4.8 million request to purchase a conservation and public use easement on this property. The remaining need listed below reflects the potential success of this significant public grant funding.

Active Project – remaining need: $1,632,075

Preliminary Floristic Quality Assessment at The Proposed Ridge Nature Preserve

SPECIES RICHNESS:

439 TOTAL SPECIES

330 NATIVE SPECIES

Including 75 newly identified species in the northern addition!

FLORISTIC QUALITY INDEX (FQI):

69.1

August 6, 2025

What is an FQI score, and why does it matter?

Did you know that all of the 1,800 native plants in Michigan have a score? A summary of these scores provides a Floristic Quality Index (FQI) and is one of the many tools GTRLC uses to inform management plans and restoration efforts on protected lands. In addition to FQI scores, the Conservancy accounts for factors such as habitat diversity and connectivity, species diversity, water quality protection, as well as recreational and cultural value to gain a holistic picture of the landscape. These scores help our stewardship team recognize where extra efforts like removing prioritized invasive plants or where restoration work will have the biggest impact.

To calculate an FQI score, a botanical inventory of each property is conducted. The inventory involves tallying the presence of plant species found and noting their "Coefficient of Conservatism" (C-value). Each plant is assigned a C-value from 0 to 10, which indicates its dependence on a particular habitat to thrive. Some plants can tolerate a wide range of conditions (0) and can grow in altered habitats like old fields, while others require specific growing conditions (10) and usually less disturbed habitats like old growth forests or high quality wetlands. C-values do not necessarily indicate a species’ rarity; rather, it suggests the plant is more likely to be a specialist, requiring a certain set of conditions, and from the higher FQI values, it can be inferred that the habitat is functioning well enough to support that species.

Once we have gained an understanding of a property’s flora, a standard formula is used to calculate the FQI score. In Michigan, the statewide average FQI score for a parcel is 20, with scores above 50 considered very rare and exceptionally significant. The average FQI for a GTRLC protected property open to the public is 52, with some over 80!

AS OF AUGUST 29th

PLEASE NOTE

• The projects indicated with red circles are “in progress,” so the numbers, while always based on the latest and most accurate information, are subject to change as negotiations, surveys and other official documents are completed.

• All “easement” properties are privately owned and not open to the public.

• “Total Project Cost” may not represent GTRLC’s total fundraising need for a variety of reasons, including public funding, property bargain sales, etc. Funding status for each project with a private fundraising need is updated on our website at www.gtrlc.org.

• symbol indicates projects where some public funding is involved. $

Located directly adjacent to Railroad Point Natural Area along the Betsie River, this ecologically significant property helps safeguard water quality and enhances the buffer of protected land surrounding the popular Natural Area. It encompasses approximately 2,000 feet of stream frontage.

Situated between Platte Lake and Crystal Lake and bordered on two sides by Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore this

ecologically rich mesic northern forest and rich conifer swamp provides

The property consists of contiguous closed-canopy woodland, part of a high-priority block of

This primarily high-quality northern mesic forest property is located on a prominent ridge running along the east side of Torch Lake, close to GTRLC-protected land. Two unnamed streams converge on the property before

GTRLC is working with the Village of Elberta to ensure their shoreline remains one of Michigan’s most beautiful stretches of globally unique coast while achieving other recreational and economic goals. Protection of this land will contribute to a thriving future and preserve quality of life for this community.

Since

But it’s not enough. As development

PROTECTION TYPES

Natural & Forest Land Protection

We have identified properties that simply must be protected. Much is under immediate threat of development.

Farmland Protection

LEGEND

Discussions with community partners and an inventory of our own preserves has established a vision of placing universally accessible infrastructure in several locations so that people of all abilities may enjoy nature. LEELANAU COUNTY

Our goal is that the region maintains a large land base of protected farmland and provides opportunities for viable farms and the next generation of farmers.

Community Conservation and Universal Access

Municipalities in all five counties have requested our support and expertise to leverage natural resources and provide access to nature to enhance the economic viability of, and draw to, their community.

The property is adjacent to state land, and contains a 2,400 foot stretch of Beitner Creek, an important cold water tributary of the Boardman/Ottaway River. The easement protects highquality riparian wetlands and a creek corridor that supports water quality and wildlife habitat.

A primarily successional forest property with a 2.5-acre open area located at the southwest corner. It is part of a larger connected landscape of forestland extending west to Crystal Lake providing ecological connectivity and resilience with the entire north side of the property bordering the Betsie Valley Trail.

MAPLE HILL ECOLOGICALLY MANAGED FOREST

$238,649

This wooded ridge property between Crystal Lake and the Betsie River consists of primarily sugar maple and black cherry trees. The property has a lengthy history of silviculture and is part of an eastwest wildlife corridor on the south side of Crystal Lake that aids species movement and biodiversity.

130 acres 0.61 mi shoreline

Enhances GTRLC’s water protection efforts in the Manistee River watershed by safeguarding priority land– including 79 acres of wetlands. The western edge of the property is bordered by approximately 3,200 feet of frontage on Pierson Creek, a direct tributary to the Upper Manistee River.

SANCTUARY - SAFFRON

Located adjacent to the Medenbrook Nature Sanctuary and State-owned land encompassing the Deadstream Swamp, protecting this property builds on a wildlife corridor linking the Deadstream Swamp Complex to the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.

This property plays a significant role in maintaining primary source of drinking water for the Traverse acres of rich wetlands and breathtaking views 16 306 acres 1.34 mi shoreline TORCH LAKE NATURE PRESERVE ADDITION

This proposed nine-acre addition contains mixed further enhancing the preserve’s natural upland follows the existing property line, the addition 17 9 acres 0.00 mi shoreline

UPPER HERRING LAKE INFRASTRUCTURE

This project aims to enhance recreation and viewing to the “island” area of the preserve. Three new previously available at this property. 18 0 acres 0.00mi shoreline

UPPER MANISTEE HEADWATERS - PERCH

This acreage includes the only practical access of Perch Lake. The property is a mix of mesic northern mature pine plantation to be converted to more 19 342 acres 1.44 mi shoreline

BIRCH POINT NATURE PRESERVE - ADDITIONS

The properties are mostly dry-mesic oak pine complex and extensive wetland frontage on Rush it to the existing Rush Lake Conservation Easement. 1 145.67 acres .66 mi shoreline

This property consists of forest, wetland and dune habitats, including 960 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline and wetlands fed by a small perennial stream. It is part of a critical corridor for protection, linking many high-priority properties. The property also contains high-quality bird habitat.

This project replaces stairs to the beach that were were high. Now that lake levels have receded, the dunes. The trail system also needs significant

The property consists primarily of dry-mesic pine-oak forest with 800 feet of frontage on Pine Creek, a major tributary of the Lower Manistee River. The

This

The habitat enhancement project will convert areas to improve the balance of agriculture and new habitat areas will both support

MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS - ADDITION

This entirely wetland property provides a necessary trail system that ends just south of Three Mile intersection, and several schools located around 4 1.58 acres 0.00 mi shoreline

$ 11,092,252

$

maintaining water quality in East Grand Traverse Bay, the Traverse City area. This largely forested property contains 26 views along the ridge.

ADDITION

$66,083

mixed hardwood forests with high conservation value, upland corridor. Given that the preserve’s trail system closely will also safeguard scenic views from the trail.

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

$524,460

viewing opportunities while reducing negative impacts new viewing platforms will offer unique perspectives not PERCH LAKE ADDITION $1,362,045

TOTALS

miles shoreline

access to the NW portion of existing preserve and the entirety northern hardwood forest, early-successional forest, and more natural forest over time. ADDITIONS $ 208,654

$51,372,186

forest, with wetlands that may be remnant dune-swale Rush Lake. This protection expands the preserve and links Easement.

INFRASTRUCTURE

$103,429

were removed for user safety when Lake Michigan levels new stairs are needed to prevent visitors from damaging significant reroutes for a better user experience and sustainability.

$147,000

90 acres of agricultural land to native habitat in key and other uses on the property. The overall design of the agriculture and enhance the natural area and its inhabitants. $

ADDITION III

$12,729

necessary link to connect the existing portion of the TART Rd. through the preserve to the Hammond/Three Mile around that intersection.

$2,812,955

By protecting Torch Lake’s shoreline this project will safeguard water quality in a historically beautiful and healthy lake with increasing water quality concerns.

WILCOX-PALMER-SHAH - ADDITION

$96,775

This addition has exceptional ecological quality, with healthy mesic northern forest and northern hardwood swamp. Protecting it will help safeguard water quality, scenic views and wildlife habitat. A preliminarily Floristic Quality Index (FQI) taken of this parcel scored a 43.5 (state average is 20).

WILCOX-PALMER-SHAH - ADDITION $126,383

This ten-acre addition to a beloved and storied preserve along Lake Michigan is the site of the former Elk Rapids Sportsman’s Club. The property’s lead contamination issues from prior land use are completely cleaned up and the property is now ready to be restored to full ecological health.

TOTALS

PLEASE NOTE

Not shown on this map are more than 20 high-priority projects encompassing nearly 1,400 acres and over a mile of shoreline in various stages of our process leading up to board approval. New opportunities continue to arise, and we carefully evaluate and prioritize each potential project.

$3,507,925

A Letter from the Board Chair

Dear Friends,

As the colors of fall return to northern Michigan, I reflect with gratitude on my time as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Serving in this role has been an honor, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to support a mission that means so much to all of us.

During my term as Chair, I have had a front row seat to some truly remarkable achievements. From transformative projects like The Ridge and the Elberta Waterfront Community Conservation Project, to the completion of the updated Priority Landscape Atlas, this has been a time of vision, momentum, and tangible impact. These milestones remind me that conservation is never about one moment or one person—it is about the steady, collective effort of many people working together over time for the good of our region and for future generations.

What has inspired me most over these past two years is the extraordinary community of people who make our mission come alive. To our donors and volunteers, thank you for your selfless generosity, boundless energy and deep commitment. To my fellow board members, thank you for your visionary leadership, valuable insights and collaborative ethos. To our high-performing staff, whose expertise and passion drive every project forward, thank you

for your energetic work on behalf of the land, water and people of northern Michigan.

Although my term as Chair concludes in October, I will continue to serve on the Board, actively engaged in the Conservancy’s work. Our leadership is in excellent hands, and I am delighted that Linda Cline will step into the role of Chair. Linda brings wisdom, energy, and deep commitment to this mission; I am confident she will guide the Board with skill and care.

I am grateful to have served at such a dynamic and important time in the Conservancy’s history, and excited to see what we will accomplish together in the years to come. Protecting the places we love requires persistence and vision, and I know this organization has both in abundance.

With appreciation,

Kathleen Guy GTRLC Board Chair

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has protected and cared for the region's natural, scenic, farm and forest lands since 1991. With the help of our supporters, volunteers and friends, more than 48,400 acres of land and 157 miles of shoreline have been protected along the region's exceptional rivers, lakes and streams.

Fully accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, the Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with by-laws, policies, board, budget and staff.

GTRLC's Directors support our mission through giving hundreds of hours of their time, sharing their considerable talents and generous dedication.

GTRLC.ORG/about/board/

Kathleen Guy, Chair

Linda Cline, Vice-Chair

Greg Seman, Treasurer

John Bercini, Secretary

Cathie Ballard

Mack Beers

Alena Bowman

Don Coe

Rebecca Ewing

Caitlin Falenski

Clifford G. Fox

Jim Huckle

Ray Kendra

Koffi Kpachavi

Chip May

Paul Moyer

Barbara Nelson-Jameson

Annie Olds

Susan Palmer

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Betsy Calcutt

John Collins

Steven Kraft

Royce Ragland

Kevin Russell

Maureen Smyth

Terrie Taylor

2846 3 Mile Rd. N

Traverse City, MI 49686-8490 (231) 929.7911 | GTRLC.ORG

FALL EVENTS

BIRDING HIKE @ ARCADIA MARSH

Wednesday, September 24: 8:30am

HIKE @ UPPER MANISTEE HEADWATERS: THE MILOCK FAMILY PRESERVE — ‘EXCELSIOR’ PERCH LAKE ADDITION

Thursday, October 23 at 10am

CONSERVATION CENTER TOUR @ MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS: THE DON AND JERRY OLESON NATURE PRESERVE Saturday, November 22: 10am

NATIVE PLUG PLANTING WORKDAYS: @ MITCHELL CREEK MEADOWS

Wednesdays, September 17, 24 and October 8, and Saturdays, September 20 and 27: 9:45am

@ ARCADIA MARSH | Tuesday, September 23: 9:45am

@ MISTY ACRES: THE BORWELL PRESERVE

Tuesday, September 16 and Wednesday, October 1: 9:45am

@ ARCADIA DUNES: GRASSLAND

Tuesday, September 30: 9:45am

@ MAPLEHURST NATURAL AREA

Thursday, October 9: 9:45am

@ UPPER MANISTEE HEADWATERS: THE MILOCK FAMILY NATURE PRESERVE | Thursday, October 16: 9:45am

@ MAPLE BAY PARK AND NATURAL AREA

Thursday, October 23: 9:45am