Ducks Unlimited, the Washtenaw Land Trust, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) partnered to purchase this high-quality natural area directly adjacent to the Waterloo Recreation Area. After Ducks Unlimited acquired the Jackson County property from a private landowner with help of a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) matching grant, they donated it to the FWS as Michigan’s fourth Waterfowl Production Area – and the first new one since the early 1980’s.

     Waterfowl Production Areas are properties that are jointly managed by the FWS and the MDNR to provide a diversity of wetland and native grassland habitat necessary for ducks and other waterfowl.  They also provide critical habitat for a variety of other wildlife species and are open to the public for recreational and educational opportunities. 

     Thanks to many generous donors, the Land Trust was able to contribute $10,000 from the Waterloo Fund to provide part of the required match to protect this property. Thank you to all those who have made gifts to the fund.  It’s because of you that great projects like this are possible.

     This project is a resounding success in the effort to reduce the rate of fragmentation of natural areas in the Waterloo-Pinckney region, one of the Land Trust’s top priorities.  This region makes up the largest block of public recreation land in lower Michigan—let’s keep working to enhance this asset to our community!  

Thank you to John Coluccy, Ph.D., of Ducks Unlimited for his contributions to this article.

Your gift to the Waterloo Fund will ensure that funds are ready for the next big opportunity.  If you’d like to make a gift, you can learn how online or by contacting Suzie Heiney at 734-302-5263 or info@washtenawlandtrust.org. 

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The first land trust established in Michigan, Washtenaw Land Trust protects the natural areas and rural landscapes that make our community a great place to live.  Since 1971, this growing organization has directly protected 50 properties totaling 2,616 acres throughout Washtenaw, Jackson, and Ingham counties through voluntary land conservation.  The Washtenaw Land Trust is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. For more information please visit www.washtenawlandtrust.org, or contact the Land Trust at info@washtenawlandtrust.org or 734-302-LAND (5263).

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