News

7.8 Acres protected

In partnership with the Huron River Watershed Council and Legacy Land Conservancy, the land owned by Sherri Munson was identified and preserved as a high quality parcel for the protection of Arms Lake and Arms Creek. This area is now one of the 10 protected parcels in the Watershed and adds to the easements held by Legacy and Webster Township in the immediate area.

The protection of this parcel is truly important to the well-being of the surrounding ecosystem, as it houses an unusually broad range of habitats and natural life for a property of its size. The 7.8 acres include wetlands, forb and grass communities, emergent marshes, and remnants of pre-settlement oak forests.

The preservation of this area within the watershed of Arms Creek and the Huron River helps ensure the quality and quantity of water resources for the Ann Arbor area. In fact, Arms Creek is the cleanest creek in the Huron River Watershed and is a designated Scenic River.

Not only does this wedge of land provide high quality of water, but it is also the natural habitat for an immensely diverse range of wildlife and plant species. The natural wetlands of this area are home to many aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, as well as aquatic vegetation. The Munson property is even home to rare plant species such as Arrowhead and Dodder.

Munson’s protection of her land ensures the health and longevity of this community’s ecosystem and wildlife. “This is wonderful as the land remains in its natural habitat for generations to come.” said Sherri Munson.

32 Acres in Washtenaw County protected

In partnership with Legacy Land Conservancy and supported by Ann Arbor Greenbelt, Charles Botero recently preserved 32 acres in the Huron River Watershed. Used for sheep farming in the past, this high-priority parcel of land protects the view from US 23 and provides important drainage for Horseshoe Creek and the Huron River, while it also provides the natural habitat for many native species of flora and fauna. “When I stopped farming, I began planting trees. Now I know those trees will be here forever,” said Charles Botero.

Botero’s protected parcel of land is home to various fish, wildlife and plants, including: Great Horned Owls, white-tailed deer, other common birds and mammals, and native flora such as mature oak hickory and pine trees and native grasses and forbs. The protection of this area and the wildlife that inhabit it allows the local ecosystem to thrive in a natural state. Botero’s protected property is also conveniently in close proximity to other protected areas and creates a vital natural corridor of over 2,500 feet for wildlife movement running north parallel to US 23.

Protection of these 32 acres within the watershed of Horseshoe Creek and the Huron River helps to ensure the quality and quantity of water resources for the Whitmore Lake area, which is subject to protracted seasonal flooding. The protected property includes 600 feet of frontage on the Catholic Church-Horseshoe Lake Drain, and another 2,500 feet of frontage on a tributary to that drain. Botero’s preservation of his land adds to the work being done by Legacy Land Conservancy and other conservancies in Southeast Michigan to protect the health of this community’s natural ecosystem.

Click here to see the photos from our event at Misty Farm. We had a wonderful time! Special thanks to all the volunteers and donors who made this event possible.

Download the Downtown Home and Garden – PDF

Downtown Home and Garden is now providing a 25% discount for tools purchased for Legacy Land Conservancy’s Stewardship Program! To support the program, all you have to do is buy a tool from our gift registry (ask at the desk to see our registry form).

Legacy Land Conservancy traces its origin—and that of private land conservation in Michigan—to very modest beginnings in 1971. It was then that a small group of dedicated folks incorporated the Washtenaw Land Conservancy, the first organization created to save local land in the state. WLC’s bylaws stated “The purpose of the Washtenaw Land Conservancy is the preservation of land and related natural resources to be devoted for educational, scientific and charitable purposes…for the benefit of both present and future generations.”

Continue reading “From the Beginning to the Present: A Brief History of Legacy Land Conservancy- Barry Lonik” »

Dr. Gerald R. Smith and Dr. Catherine Badgley marked the summer solstice this year by preserving 110 acres in partnership with Legacy Land Conservancy. The land, located in Sylvan Township, includes fen, grassland and a rare tamarack swamp and is a high priority parcel for the protection of the Huron River Watershed.

Continue reading “Protected: Badgley-Smith property in Sylvan Township” »

Preserve Washtenaw coalition announces land trusts and local land preservation programs protected an additional 1,156 acres of farmland, natural areas, and open spaces.

Continue reading “2009 Another Strong Year for Land Preservation” »

The Renner’s Corner farm, located in Bridgewater Township on Austin Road near Manchester, is a beautiful, idyllic place. A historic stone farmhouse overlooks gently rolling hills where hay and soybeans grow. On another 10-acre field bordered by oak forest and seasonal wetlands, sheep contentedly graze.

Continue reading “Protected: Renner’s Corner” »