February 2005: Susan Lackey, who spent 11 years promoting growth as president of the Washtenaw Development Council, will now work to preserve open spaces around the county as the new executive director of the Washtenaw Land Trust.

"It may seem counter-intuitive that someone with 25 years of experience in economic development would apply for this position," Lackey said. "But I believe this is a natural extension of years spent working to understand what factors set communities apart from others and makes them successful beyond expectation."

"In the case of Washtenaw County, I believe one of those factors is our attitude toward strategic preservation of rural lands and open spaces," she said.

During Lackey's tenure, the Washtenaw Development Council emerged as a leader in technology-based economic development, helping to establish the Ann Arbor IT Zone and playing a key role in the establishment of the Michigan Information Technology Center Foundation. In 1995 and again in 2001, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. recognized the organization as "local partner of the year."

The Washtenaw Land Trust is a non-profit corporation that has over 40 years of experience in land protection, and was the first land trust established in Michigan. The land trust works to protect farmland, natural areas, and open spaces in and around Washtenaw County.

Highlights of 2004 projects for the land trust include: a donated conservation easement on 40 acres of farmland in Sharon Township, and a donated conservation easement on 20 acres of an historic woodlot in Freedom Township. In 2005 the land trust will complete a project funded in part by a Federal Farm and Ranchlands grant for a 60 acre parcel on a multi-generational dairy farm in Bridgewater Township.

"We are thrilled to have someone of Susan's caliber at a critical time for the land preservation movement," said Theresa Schenk, president of the land trust. "With the passage of the Greenbelt initiative, we are forming - along with the townships, community leaders and other non-profit groups - an ambitious vision for the future in the Washtenaw County area.

"With Susan's knowledge, experience and relationships around the state, we feel that we can move to a much higher level of results under her leadership," she said.

Lackey, who has a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Grand Valley State University and a masters of public administration from Western Michigan University, lives in Chelsea.

Washtenaw Land Trust
info@washtenawlandtrust.org
734-302-LAND(5263)