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 December
2005: The Washtenaw Land Trust announces the successful
completion of a project to protect River Raisin headwaters
in Washtenaw County's Manchester Township and Jackson County's
Norvell Township.
The landowner,
Annette van der Schalie of Chelsea, Michigan, has donated
a conservation agreement to protect 21 acres of wetlands,
prairie, mature floodplain forest, freshwater springs, and
approximately 1800 feet of winding river frontage.
"It's
a relief to know it's protected," said Mrs. van der Schalie
to Land Trust director Susan Lackey. "I am so happy that
(the conservation agreement) is going to be in your hands."
Mrs.
van der Schalie and her late husband moved to the property
in 1976, and Mrs. van der Schalie lived there for nearly 30
years. Her son Eric and his wife Franziska live on the adjacent
parcel and attended the project closing today to help celebrate.
The Land
Trust worked with the van der Schalie family to finalize a
conservation agreement for the property. This agreement was
signed today.
The conservation
agreement preserves the conservation values of the land by
restricting the scope of development on the property, while
keeping the property in private hands. Through the donation
of a conservation easement, a landowner can take personal
action to retain the inherent values of their land and may
qualify for certain tax benefits.
"I'm
honored to be able to help Mrs. van der Schalie preserve the
features of the land that she loves," said Susan Lackey.
"The property's River Raisin frontage and its proximity
to other protected land - Washtenaw County parks, Sharonville
State Game Area, and The Nature Conservancy's Nan Weston Preserve
- make this a very special project."
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About
the Washtenaw Land Trust:
The Washtenaw Land Trust is Michigan's oldest land trust and
has protected more than 2,000 acres of farmland and natural
areas. A private, non-profit organization, it provides private
land protection solutions in Washtenaw, Jackson and Ingham
counties.
Washtenaw
Land Trust
info@washtenawlandtrust.org
734-302-LAND(5263)
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