Fran Laird, Drew Laird, Campbell Laird, and Diana Kern (L-R)

It’s been 25 years since Fran and Campbell Laird worked with Barry Lonik of what was then called the Potawatomi Land Trust* to create the Beckwith Nature Preserve (formerly Beckwith Conservancy), named in honor of Fran’s parents.

At the time, it was an easy decision for the Lairds. Fran’s mother and father, prominent Village of Stockbridge community members Dr. Sidney and Harriet Beckwith, originally purchased the land in 1948. During a 2004 interview, Fran recalled: “My parents had always been very open about letting people wander through the woods. I just felt that I should keep that spirit of openness & accessibility–and of ‘welcomeness’. My mother was a very welcoming person. They were birdwatchers, and my father was always interested in wildflowers & plants.”

When Fran inherited the land upon her mother’s death, she knew exactly what her parents wanted for their land. They wanted it to be preserved and her mother had spoken of donating it.

Initially, the only organization Fran and Campbell were aware of was The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and they didn’t think TNC would be interested in protecting their 30 acres. But after a fateful visit to her daughter on the east coast where Fran saw small protected plots donated by people, she knew that some local group would be interested. When Fran returned home, she found the Potawatomi Land Trust and the rest is what we call history.

Attendees enjoy a hike through the pine forest part of the preserve that was planted in 1973 by the Stockbridge FFA.

Flash forward to a beautiful July morning in 2024. Fran, Campbell, and their son Drew, joined Legacy staff, volunteers, community members, and friends and family of the Laird’s to celebrate the 25th anniversary of opening Beckwith as a public nature preserve.

While the group enjoyed a delicious ice cream treat, Legacy’s Executive Director Diana Kern and Preserve Stewardship Manager Kyler Moran honored and thanked the Laird family for their generous donation of the Preserve. Stories were shared reflecting on the importance of the Preserve’s history, community impact, and years of stewardship.

One story in particular is coming full circle this year. In 1973 the Stockbridge Future Farmers of America (FFA) from Stockbridge High School planted hundreds of 6-inch pine saplings on what was then farm fields. These pines now stand over 30 feet tall and make up the “nature play” area on the southeast portion where kids are encouraged to leave the trail and play on the mossy, needle covered soil.

This year, over 50 years later, a new generation of Stockbridge FFA students came back helping to plant 100 trees that will hopefully make up a diverse dry-mesic southern forest and riparian shrub buffer as part of our participation in the Forest to Mi Faucet (F2MF) initiative.

Before the event was over, Kyler treated the group to a guided hike showcasing recent projects like the F2MF tree plantings and invasive species removal.

Although some things have changed over the years, Fran’s vision of the land when she spoke about Beckwith in 2004 remains a guiding force for Legacy: “I see 30 acres of land that is preserved, that cannot be built on or developed. I see lots of possibilities for use by the people of Stockbridge and by the people of the WLT* (Washtenaw Land Trust) and anyone who is interested in nature. I see a lot of possibilities in the future for restoring it to the way it was when I lived there. I see a place for people to walk and find quiet and spiritual renewal.”

We are honored to be a part of something so special and to continue the legacy of Fran, Campbell, and the Beckwith family. The inter-generational impact of their gift means generations of nature lovers can enjoy this beautiful corner of Stockbridge forever.

*[Washtenaw Land Trust and Potawatomi Land Trust merged in 1999 becoming Washtenaw-Potawatomi Land Trust. In 2001, Washtenaw-Potawatomi Land Trust changed its name to Washtenaw Land Trust. In 2009, Washtenaw Land Trust changed its name to Legacy Land Conservancy.]