Dr. Reichert has donated permanent conservation agreements to the Washtenaw Land Trust and the Livingston Land Conservancy (LLC) on 100 acres of land near Portage Lake in north Washtenaw and south Livingston counties. The lovely parcel is a contiguous block of natural land, including creek and lake frontage, dry oak forests, and a variety of wetlands such as tamarack swamps, fens, and wet meadows.

      Under the terms of the agreement, the land remains in private hands but can never be developed. An additional land protection agreement specifies that this land will come to the Washtenaw Land Trust at Dr. Reichert's passing. At that time, scheduled nature walks will allow for opportunities to visit the protected nature area. Until then, it remains privately owned by the Reichert family, subject to the conservation agreement to protect the land's natural features.

      This project is significant not only for the natural features that it protects, but also because it represents a partnership between the Washtenaw Land Trust and LLC. When the land comes under Washtenaw Land Trust ownership, LLC will be the one to monitor and enforce the conservation agreement.

      Dr. Reichert has long recognized the value of preserving the qualities of nature and water, especially flowing water, for the health of both the environment and of humans. "It's in the genes to appreciate flowing water, because it's necessary for primitive people. Flowing water always has a soothing effect."

      While preparing the baseline documentation for this project, representatives from Washtenaw Land Trust and LLC were able to visit the property, including a climb up an overlook observation tower. Dr. Reichert laughed as he remembered, "I didn't think the Livingston Land Conservancy people were ever going to come down!"

      "People in a position to do this should consider protecting property, even purchasing property to protect, and giving it to the land trust," Dr. Reichert encouraged. "Save it and don't pave it." Now, with the permanent conservation agreement in place, Dr. Reichert can be assured that the land will never be developed.

      Landowners who are interested in learning more about protecting their land, including the potential tax benefits, may contact their local land trust:
-Washtenaw, Jackson, & Ingham Counties: Washtenaw Land Trust, 734-302-LAND (5263)
-Livingston County: Livingston Land Conservancy, 810-229-3290

About the Washtenaw Land Trust:
      The first land trust in Michigan, Washtenaw Land Trust is a group of over 1,000 individuals, families, and organizations working together to protect the natural areas and rural landscapes that make our community a great place to live.
      To date, the growing organization has protected 47 properties totaling more than 2,400 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, visit www.washtenawlandtrust.org, or contact info@washtenawlandtrust.org or 734-302-LAND (5263).

About the Livingston Land Conservancy:
      Founded in 1991, the Conservancy began as a standing committee of Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy. The Livingston Land Conservancy is now a private, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization working to protect the natural heritage and rural character of the Greater Livingston County Area.
      In recent years, the fastest growing means of protecting land has been through the use of conservation easements, a legal agreement between a private landowner and a land trust that permanently limits the scope and type of development while leaving the land in private ownership. LLC funds their land protection activities through private donations, gifts from corporations and foundations, and memberships. For more information, visit www.livingstonlandconservancy.org, or contact info@livingstonlandconservancy.org or (810) 229-3290.

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