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Conservancies protect natural treasures in UP

Land conservancies serve an extremely important purpose in Michigan. They acquire land donated by property owners, or bought through grants and fundraising projects. Even though most people don’t live on those lands, they benefit indirectly from the improved wildlife habitat.

The Harvey-based Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy is working toward acquiring the Dead River Community Forest in Negaunee Township. Being a community forest means the public would have access to the scenic area.

While the UPLC would own the 190 acres or so, the land’s resources and management decisions that affect the land will be based around what brings the community the most benefit.

The UPLC, in fact, protects many areas in the U.P., working in partnership with other conservation-minded people. Thanks to The Nature Conservancy, the UPLC now owns a small parcel of land at Coast Guard Point and the lighthouse in Grand Marais. This area is home to the rare Lake Huron tansy, pitcher’s thistle and piping plover.

Homeowners with valuable natural land are concerned about what could happen to that land upon their passing, and land conservancies are experienced in managing that land in perpetuity. Land conservancies manage land in several ways, including nature preserves or sanctuaries, and conservation easements.

Even if you don’t have a chance to visit an easement, preserve or sanctuary, they help us all. Perhaps you’ll be driving on a busy highway sometime and see a bald eagle fly overhead that eagle might have been born in a nest on a piece of land protected by a land conservancy.

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