A semi-retired attorney, he purchased the northern Emmet County property in 1992 after traveling north for year-round vacations since he was very young. A residence was built the following year, and since then the other features have been lovingly added, including a small barn for his three horses. Now he is familiar with the land’s rhythms. “I think this property is so beautiful and so unique, it needs to be protected,” he said.

“The O’Rourke property lies directly adjacent to another 160-acre private property protected with a conservation easement, making its protection a high priority for the Conservancy,” said Kieran Fleming, the Conservancy’s director of land protection. Situated roughly 20 minutes from Harbor Springs, it still feels rather remote, but new construction continues to creep northward from town. Peter’s conservation easement will limit all new future construction to one small building envelope, the location of which is predetermined within the easement.

An adventure seeker (he co-founded the Michigan Mountain Bike Association) Peter’s love of the outdoors began during his early years at boarding school and summer camp. He also served to the rank of Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and has traveled around the world with various athletic pursuits. Today, he is very involved in the local community serving on the boards of North Central Michigan College, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, the Emmet Conservation District, and the C.S. Lewis Festival. He is also a Contributing Artist with the Crooked Tree Art Center.

“My respect for our environment, wildlife, and nature is met with the placement of this easement,” Peter said. “My daughter Katie (who works for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy in Cleveland), my son Peter (an environmental consultant who is a partner in Red Tail Woods) and their spouses fully support the gift. It will enhance the life of many in the future. The land captures you like Franz Peter Schubert’s Symphony #3 in D Major played by the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra!”

Peter O'Rourke's horses: Thunder, Pallas de Aeneas, and Berber.