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In 2007, land trusts and local land preservation programs protected an additional 1,720 acres of natural areas, farms, and open space. Prior to 2007, land preservation programs were key to protecting 6,045 acres in the region.
Farmland Protection
Of the total 7,765 acres protected to date, nearly 5,000 are farmland, making the combined farmland protection efforts of Washtenaw County land protection organizations the most successful in the state.
In 2007, this included three Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection projects, completed with the support of the US Department of Agriculture.
- Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy protected the 158-acre Shultz farm in Superior Township, connecting a contiguous block of 950 acres which the Conservancy has protected over the years. Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program also partnered in this project.
- The Washtenaw Land Trust protected the 43-acre Rogers farm in York Township, south of Saline, expanding the block of protected land here to nearly 550 acres.
- The City of Ann Arbor protected the 70-acre John and Beverly Alexander farm in Northfield Township. The farm is located within one of the areas identified in the Greenbelt’s Strategic Plan and is in proximity to other protected properties.
Partnerships
The key to this land protection success has been a willingness for land protection organizations to work collectively to complete important projects. Among recent partnership successes:
- The Fox Science Preserve was protected through a collaborative effort involving the former owners Betty and Mel Fox, the City of Ann Arbor Greenbelt Program, the Scio Township Land Preservation Program, and Washtenaw County Parks who now holds title to the land. Once a gravel pit, this site provides a conveniently accessible outdoor classroom to investigate natural phenomena such as fossils, natural succession, and evidence of glaciers. Approximately half of the 49 acres of the site was not mined and has a cover of native woods of significant habitat value.
- Another collaborative effort, this one between Pittsfield Township and Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, resulted in three new Pittsfield Township conservation agreements on 141 acres of land. These agreements were acquired by the Conservancy prior to the Township acquiring the lands for public parks and nature preserves. The conservation agreements assure that the properties will remain as public preserves in perpetuity.
- Also in 2007, the Parker Woods was protected thanks to collaboration between landowners Stanley & Helen Parker, the Washtenaw Land Trust, and Scio Township. This 23-acre woods links up to a contiguous block of 256 acres of protected land that will now be available for farming forever, a permanent benefit to the community.
Tax Benefits for Landowners who Protect Their Land
Many acres have been protected not only through purchasing a conservation agreement or outright purchase of the property, but also through donation of a conservation agreement by the landowner to a local land trust or local agency.
For example, Bill Wenk, a native of Freedom Township, has permanently preserved 41 acres of open space on Waters Road by donating a conservation agreement to the Washtenaw Land Trust. The Wenk conservation agreement allows the land to be sold, inherited, and managed responsibly, but it cannot be developed for residential or commercial use.
Says Wenk, “It was an easy decision to put the property into the Land Trust. For one thing, the protection makes property taxes manageable, and gives other significant tax advantages too. Most importantly, though, it allows me to keep a part of the family farm that has been in the family for almost 150 years.”
Donating a conservation agreement or donating land is considered a charitable gift for federal income tax purposes. That means that landowners may be able to deduct the value of the donation on their taxes. Landowners may also see property tax and/or estate tax benefits. Landowners who would like to learn more should contact their local land trust.
Preserve Washtenaw
Ten charter members have now signed onto “Preserve Washtenaw”, a coordinating body for local land protection efforts, including:
- The City of Ann Arbor (with its Ann Arbor Open Space and Parkland Preservation (Greenbelt) program)
- Washtenaw County and its Parks & Recreation division (with its Natural Areas Preservation Program (NAPP))
- Scio Township
- Ann Arbor Township
- Webster Township
- Pittsfield Township
- Raisin Valley Land Trust
- Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy
- Washtenaw Land Trust
Local Land Protection: Data and Maps
Protected Natural Area & Farmland Acres in Washtenaw County
| |
Prior to 2007 |
2007 |
Total |
Acres Protected |
6,045 |
1,720 |
7,765 |
Land Protection Details, by Organization
| |
Acres Protected Prior to 2007 |
Acres protected in 2007 |
Total |
City of Ann Arbor Greenbelt (millage-funded) |
636 |
119 |
755 |
Ann Arbor Township (millage-funded) |
148 |
153 |
301 |
Pittsfield Township |
838 |
223 |
1,061 |
Scio Township (millage-funded) |
0 |
79 |
79 |
Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation (millage-funded) |
980 |
99 |
1,079 |
Raisin Valley Land Trust |
150 |
na |
150 |
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy |
1,974 |
443 |
2,417 |
Washtenaw Land Trust |
2,531 |
1,088 |
3,619 |
Note: The totals in the “Land Protection Details, by Organization” section do not match the overall Washtenaw County totals because the details section lists the acreage for any partnership projects for each partner, and it lists acres protected in the organization’s entire service area, where applicable.
Maps (PDF format)
Protected lands in Washtenaw County, showing parks & preserves as well as conservation agreement lands
Protected lands in Washtenaw County, by organization
Visit these protected lands!
Washtenaw County parks and preserves
City of Ann Arbor parks
Pittsfield Charter Township parks
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy preserves
Washtenaw Land Trust nature preserves (pdf)
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The first land trust established in Michigan, Washtenaw Land Trust is a private non-profit that protects - forever - the natural areas and farms that make our community a great place to live. Since 1971, this growing organization has directly protected 64 properties totaling 3,619 acres throughout Washtenaw, Jackson, and Ingham counties through voluntary land conservation. For more information please visit www.washtenawlandtrust.org, or contact the Land Trust at info@washtenawlandtrust.org or 734-302-LAND (5263).
~~
How You Can Support Local Land Protection
More great conservation projects 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:
Thank you! For more information, please contact Suzie Heiney at 734-302-LAND (5263) or suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org.
Photo credit: Barry Lonik
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