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This conservation deal expands a contiguous block of already-protected farmland just outside of Saline to more than 500 acres. Under the terms of the agreement, the land can continue to be farmed, but it cannot be developed.
This is the fourth conservation project completed by the Land Trust this year. It brings the total land protected by the Land Trust to 2,942 acres of natural areas and farms throughout Washtenaw, Jackson and Ingham Counties.
The successful completion of this project is thanks to a wide range of individuals and organizations. The Rogers family agreed to forego 40% of the overall price of the project, appraised at $608,000. More than 350 people, local family foundations, and businesses contributed toward the Farmland Protection Challenge goal. Local support was demonstrated by gifts from the majority of the members of the Charter Township of York Board of Trustees and Planning Commission. Matching funds included grants of $25,000 from the Carls Foundation and $215,000 from the federal Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program.
“This is an exciting project,” said Charity Steere, chair of the Land Trust’s Land Protection Committee. “It’s great to know that the southern entryway into Saline will look just as lovely 100 years from now as it does today.”
Land protection efforts like this provide a wide range of community benefits:
- Maintaining the community’s unique balance of vibrant growth and common heritage
- Conservation of contiguous blocks of land, the most critical resource needed for the local agricultural economy
- Improved local air quality, water quality, wildlife habitat, pollution reduction, and quality of life
- Permanent conservation of natural areas and open space for an extremely low cost
- Preservation of the community’s farming heritage, in the hands of farming families who contribute to the local economy
- Guaranteed sources of land for growing food
The Land Trust has a proven history of successful local conservation. Past keystone farmland projects include the Vershum family dairy farm (Bridgewater Township) protected in 2006 and the Strieter farm (Freedom Township) protected in 2003. Thanks to the support of local families and businesses, the Land Trust led all local conservation organizations in acres protected in 2006, with 488 acres protected. The Land Trust is on track to protect a record 800 acres of land in 2007.
More information: Project details, photos, and maps
How You Can Support Farmland Protection
More great projects like this are in the works. Your gift to the Land Trust will ensure that funds are ready for the next big opportunity. If you'd like to make a gift:
If you'd like your gift to go specifically toward farmland protection, please note "Farmland Fund" on your gift. Thank you! For more information, please contact Suzie Heiney at 734-302-LAND (5263) or suzie@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 53 properties totaling 2,942 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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