Easement Furthers Conservancy’s Efforts Along US-31 A 1,400 foot stretch of frontage along US-31 will be permanently protected from development thanks to a conservation easement donation from Rick Lobenherz of Summerhill Investments. The 14-acre property, located west of the Nine Mile Point region north of Charlevoix, is dominated by low-lying wetlands consisting of cedar, balsam fir, and young aspen. “This is not the first time I have worked with the Conservancy on this priority and, hopefully, not the last,” commented Lobenherz, a long-time Conservancy supporter. “The US- 31 corridor between Charlevoix and Petoskey is a vital and strategic stretch of property. It is important to our communities that it develop in an organized and tasteful way.” “Protection of the scenic beauty of the US-31 corridor is one of the top priorities for the Conservancy in the next few years,” noted MaryKay O’Donnell, Director of Land Protection. “The Conservancy has been involved in several projects along US-31 to date, and we are thankful to have been a part of protecting another quarter mile stretch of this spectacular highway.”