L to R:
Lucy Dobson, Duncan’s sister, Sally Danforth, Lucy and Duncan’s daughter Lindsey Madden, granddaughter Clare, and
son-in-law Brendan Madden.













This endearing memory was passed on to his family as Duncan continued to explore and enjoy the woods with them. Upon retiring in 2007, Duncan and his wife, Lucy, moved from northern California to be full-time residents in their cabin north of Good Hart. But shortly after their move, Duncan was diagnosed with a terminal illness that took his life on July 17, 2008.

To honor Duncan and his love of this region, Duncan’s wife, Lucy, decided to donate eight acres adjacent to their Good Hart property to the Conservancy to become a nature preserve. The property includes 450 feet of frontage along the Michigan designated Scenic Corridor M-119, one of the most beautiful drives in northern Michigan.

“It was a real privilege to work with the Dobson family,” said Kieran Fleming, the Conservancy’s director of land protection. “The new Duncan C. Dobson, Jr. Nature Preserve fits in perfectly with Conservancy efforts to protect the scenic quality of M-119. In 100 years, thanks to people like the Dobsons, this drive will look much the same as it does today.”

“It is a fitting honor that these ‘deep, dark woods’ of Duncan’s will be preserved in his name,” Lucy said. “It was our dream to live out our lives here, and this property represents that dream.”