Waldron Fen Protected

Birds and Bird Lovers Both Benefit

The Waldrons’ land — a popular birding spot — will be left intact forever, thanks to the conservation easement the couple donated to the Conservancy.

A 145-acre Emmet County property known as the Waldron Fen has been permanently protectedfrom development thanks to a conservation easement donated by landowners Jack and Nancy Waldron. The Waldrons worked with the Little Traverse Conservancy to guarantee that the unique natural character of their land would never be lost to development.

Jack and Nancy Waldron

“I just get sad when I see the habitat loss that is occurring in our region,” said Nancy Waldron. “To me, I am at peace knowing that this little pocket of land will not change much.”

Since 1992 the Waldrons, who are avid birders and naturalists, have watched the same pair of cranes successfully nest and raise young in the fen. They currently have 62 bluebird and swallow nesting boxes on their property.

“Whether it’s witnessing the clash of Eastern Bluebirds vs. Tree Swallows as they squabble over nest boxes, watching the aerial antics of Bobolinks, or squinting into the shrubs to spot a Yellow Warbler or Common Yellowthroat, there are always interesting sights of the avian variety at the Waldron Fen,” said Mary Whitmore, local ornithologist and executive director for the environmental education organization SEE-North. Whitmore acknowledged the Waldrons’ generosity for sharing this property with many birding enthusiasts, including those enrolled in her University of Michigan Biological Station workshops.

For many years, the Waldrons have allowed their property to be studied by students at the University of Michigan Biological Station because of the unique features of the wetland. At one point, the couple made the decision to bequeath the property to the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, in order to ensure continuation of research and educational opportunities. At the prompting of the Watershed Council, the Waldrons decided to go one step further to guarantee the property’s long-term preservation. By donating a conservation easement to the Little Traverse Conservancy, the Waldrons completely removed development rights from the protected land.

The Waldrons hope that someday the land will be fully used to help others learn about the local environment, and especially about the unique qualities of wetlands. When they crafted their conservation easement, Jack and Nancy included provisions for an exempted piece of land to be left for the building of a nature center.

“The unique and fragile qualities of this property make its protection a huge win for conservation in our region,” said Kieran Fleming, land protection specialist for Little Traverse Conservancy. “We’re all happy to see the completion of this long-term partnership effort.