Legacy Land Conservancy has permanently protected 26 acres of farmland and forest along Mill Creek in Chelsea, completing a project that began with landowner Craig Maier and was carried forward by his wife, Anastasea (Stacy), in his memory.

“This is the land Craig and I spent our life together on–walking in the woods, swimming in the creek, and gazing at the beautiful views–so I’m pleased to see it permanently protected,” landowner Stacy Maier said. “Craig worked on this for years with Legacy, so I know he would be proud of me for seeing his vision through.”

Craig began working with Legacy in 2020 after attending a township land protection presentation where he met Susan LaCroix, Legacy’s Land Protection Director. “Craig’s passion for keeping his family’s farmland protected for future generations was inspiring,” LaCroix said.

Protecting Maier Farm without Craig is a bittersweet moment, but Legacy is honored to have helped bring his vision to life. Thanks to Stacy’s persistence, Maier Farm is now protected through a conservation easement, which offers permanent protection of privately-owned land. A conservation easement conserves the land forever while allowing it to remain in private ownership.

Located in western Washtenaw County, Maier Farm includes 13 acres of farmland keeping rich, fertile soil in production and ensuring Michigan can grow food while sustaining jobs, strengthening rural communities, and supporting an agricultural industry that fuels the state’s economy.

It also includes 1,500 feet of natural shoreline along Mill Creek, an important creek that feeds into the Huron River. This protective buffer of trees and plants helps keep the water clean, cool, and healthy for fish, wildlife, and people.

Mill Creek is the largest tributary in the Huron River watershed, and has a large impact on the drinking water of every community upstream–more than 650,000 people.

During a recent site visit, scientists found caddisfly and mayflies living in this portion of Mill Creek, small insects that signal a clean, healthy water ecosystem. Because these species can’t survive in polluted or low-oxygen conditions, their presence shows the creek is in sound ecological condition. By protecting the land, Legacy is helping ensure the lush corridor will support the health of this vital waterway forever.

To purchase the Maier Farm conservation easement, Legacy worked over five years to secure a myriad of funding through the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission (WCPARC) with support from The Carls Foundation.

“Legacy’s work is about more than protecting land–it’s about helping people achieve their vision for the places they love,” Diana Kern Executive Director said. “Stacy’s dedication ensures their land will remain now, and always–a lasting tribute to Craig’s dream and their shared love for the land.”

Click here for the press release