January 2004: The Washtenaw Land Trust recently completed a project to protect 17 acres of historic farmland in Pittsfield Township. The property, co-owned by Joan Geddes Rose and Carole Geddes-Engel, is located along Morgan Road and is in close proximity to the 535-acre Pittsfield Preserve.

This property was protected through a bargain sale of the property's development rights (PDR), which were worth far more than the $50,000 that Rose and Geddes-Engel accepted. The conservation easement placed on the property restricts its future use to agriculture or open space.

Funds for this project came from the Washtenaw Land Trust's restricted fund for Pittsfield. The funds were raised by members and supporters of Forever Green, a community group in Pittsfield Township. The remainder of the Pittsfield fund will be allocated for monitoring and stewardship of the property in perpetuity.

"This property is dearly loved by Carole and me," said Rose when asked about the project. "We have long been of like mind that we would want to preserve the rural character of this property if at all possible. Besides being part of an operating sesquicentennial farm, this property gives space for wildlife in an area that is being rapidly developed. We greatly appreciate the support given by Forever Green and the Washtenaw Land Trust."

"We're grateful for the many individuals who have made generous contributions to the Pittsfield fund over the years. They made this project a reality," said Bill Hanson, Executive Director of the Washtenaw Land Trust. "Without their help, we would not have been able to preserve this scenic section of the historic Geddes farm property."

The Washtenaw Land Trust is a non-profit organization that works to protect farmland, natural areas and open space in and around Washtenaw County, Michigan, and to educate members, local officials and the public on land use issues. To date, WLT has protected more than 1,600 acres of land.