Stewardship Update

Volunteer Crew Improves Trails at Ransom Nature Preserve

Thirteen volunteers helped the Conservancy clear and woodchip the center trail at the Ransom Nature Preserve on a clear, cool, day this fall. The trail meanders through a small ravine in a field. Woodchipping the path will keep it clear and accessible for visitors.

Thanks to the following members of the Living Stone Church, including several from the middle school age church youth group, for helping out: Sue and Caroline Bouwense; Bob, Danielle, Manette, and Clara deJonge; Annie Eby; Nathan Kibler; and Chris Burnett. Thanks also to the following volunteers: Mike Hughes, Charlotte Griffin, Kelsey Griffin, and Kelsey Lagerstrom. We are grateful to Great Lakes Energy for donating woodchips.

The Ransom Preserve features more than a mile of well-marked trails and a brochure for self-guided tours. From the high point of the preserve, one is offered a beautiful panoramic view encompassing most of western Charlevoix County. The view also includes a broad expanse of Lake Michigan spanning from the Leelanau Peninsula to Beaver Island.

For directions to this Charlevoix County Preserve, please call the office at (231) 347-0991.

Family Funds Improvements at Colonial Point and Chaboiganing

Thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Tom Trumble family, the trails at the University of Michigan Biological Station’s Colonial Point Memorial Forest and the Conservancy’s Chaboiganing Nature Preserve have recently been connected and improved. In addition, a new preserve guide and trail maps have been updated and completed for public use.

Located in Cheboygan County on the west end of Burt Lake near Brutus, the Chaboiganing Preserve and the Colonial Point Memorial Forest combine to provide nearly 500 acres of protected land. The property is incredibly rich in both natural and human history and has been admired by researchers, visitors, and neighbors for years.

Visitors can now enjoy nearly seven miles of hiking and cross country ski trails which wind through the mature forests and along the open meadows. New trail maps are now located at the parking areas and at several points along the trails.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Trumble Family for their generous contribution to make this work possible. For an online version of the new Colonial Point Memorial Forest/Chaboiganing Nature Preserve guide, visit www.landtrust.org.

New Signs at Nature Preserves

By now, we hope that Conservancy members have noticed the new signs that we are placing at all Conservancy-owned nature preserves. A lot of careful consideration went into choosing the design, format, and artist for the signs.

We ask that our members and supporters help us keep an eye on these signs and report any problems that may occur. The Conservancy now owns 114 nature preserves and the job of managing and caretaking these properties only continues to grow. Please don’t hesitate to let us know of concerns by contacting Melissa at (231) 347-0991 or email: melissa@landtrust.org.