Susan Creek Acquisition

What does the Bear River mean to northwestern lower Michigan? The Bear River connects two of our most beautiful bodies of water: Walloon Lake and Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay. In fact, its 12-mile stretch constitutes the largest tributary draining into Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay.

The Conservancy is pleased to announce that a bargain sale* from Petoskey residents Ken and Darlene Sieradski has resulted in the permanent protection of more than one of those 12 river miles and 225 acres of Bear River Watershed.

An avid outdoorsman who enjoys viewing wildlife with the aid of his dogs and his camera, Ken Sieradski and his family have come to know the Bear River Watershed well. Ken recalls a time when he was following the trail of a bobcat and ended up falling through the ice and into the river. “There I was waist deep in water and the thought that crossed my mind was how beautiful that land was,” Ken said.

Soon afterward, he purchased the property with the idea of using it for recreation. “Originally, we thought me might want to build there, but once I got to know the land better I realized that nobody should live out there. It needed to stay the way it was.”

Dominated by northern white cedar, the property includes a mix of spruce, fir, and tag alder. “This property provides an important link between the Bear River Swamp region to the north and State of Michigan forest land to the southeast,” said Ty Ratliff, Conservancy land protection specialist.

Currently, the property is held by the Conservancy and will ultimately either be protected as a nature preserve or sold to the State of Michigan. Its location off River Road puts it just minutes from downtown Petoskey and even closer to Walloon Lake Village. One stretch of river shoreline on the protected land provides an excellent entrance or stopping site for canoers.

“The Sieradski property was one of the largest remaining undeveloped private stretches of land still available along the Bear River, and was identified as very high priority for protection,” Ratliff added. “We should all be grateful that Ken and Darlene were willing to think about the long-term benefits of keeping it in a natural state.”

*Sold for a price less than appraised value.

One Mile of Bear River Protected
What does the Bear River mean to northwestern lower Michigan? The Bear River connects two of our most beautiful bodies of water: Walloon Lake and Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay. In fact, its 12-mile stretch constitutes the largest tributary draining into Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay. The Conservancy is pleased to announce that a bargain sale* from Petoskey residents Ken and Darlene Sieradski has resulted in the permanent protection of more than one of those 12 river miles and 225 acres of Bear River Watershed. An avid outdoorsman who enjoys viewing wildlife with the aid of his dogs and his camera, Ken Sieradski and his family have come to know the Bear River Watershed well. Ken recalls a time when he was following the trail of a bobcat and ended up falling through the ice and into the river. “There I was waist deep in water and the thought that crossed my mind was how beautiful that land was,” Ken said. Soon afterward, he purchased the property with the idea of using it for recreation. “Originally, we thought me might want to build there, but once I got to know the land better I realized that nobody should live out there. It needed to stay the way it was.” Dominated by northern white cedar, the property includes a mix of spruce, fir, and tag alder. “This property provides an important link between the Bear River Swamp region to the north and State of Michigan forest land to the southeast,” said Ty Ratliff, Conservancy land protection specialist. Currently, the property is held by the Conservancy and will ultimately either be protected as a nature preserve or sold to the State of Michigan. Its location off River Road puts it just minutes from downtown Petoskey and even closer to Walloon Lake Village. One stretch of river shoreline on the protected land provides an excellent entrance or stopping site for canoers. “The Sieradski property was one of the largest remaining undeveloped private stretches of land still available along the Bear River, and was identified as very high priority for protection,” Ratliff added. “We should all be grateful that Ken and Darlene were willing to think about the long-term benefits of keeping it in a natural state.” *Sold for a price less than appraised value.