Charlevoix County

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The following are Conservancy nature preserves or working forest reserves in Charlevoix County that do not include formal parking areas or trails. As Little Traverse Conservancy preserves, they remain open to the public for appropriate and respectful use, keeping in mind the land’s ecological protection. Working forest reserves are open to hunting and other activities as allowed through the Commercial Forestry Act Program.

50 acres, 2019

Charlevoix Township. Betty Hoffmann donated her half interest in the land to Little Traverse Conservancy. The remaining funds for purchasing the other half of the land came from the Charles M. & Joan R. Taylor Foundation, Mike and Rhea Dow, and Sandy Dauch. The property consists of mostly pocketed wetlands and lies between US-31, Martin, and Waller roads, at the northern gateway into Charlevoix.

107 acres, 2022

Norwood Township. Donated by Richard and Sadie Bartosik who also protected their adjacent homestead with a conservation easement in 2002. A large portion of the property is open, rolling farmland as well as northern hardwoods and wetland areas. 

160 acres, 2021

Hayes Township. This property boasts gently rolling, forested terrain including high quality maple trees and young aspen groves that provide essential habitat for grouse and other wildlife. This is a beautiful location with stunning views of Lake Michigan and a large variety of spring ephemerals. The existing Charles A. Ransom Nature Preserve and Charlevoix County Working Forest Reserve #1 are now connected through this property.

7.5 acres, 2018

South Arm Township. Donated by Fred and Barb Malpass in honor of their family. Includes 620 feet of frontage on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix.

0.5 acres, 1993

Peaine Township. Gift from Tom Erber and New Ireland Shores Partnership. Located on Beaver Island with 450 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline.

30 acres, 2018

Boyne Valley Township. Bargain sale from Greg Carpenter in honor of his parents.

16 acres, 2010

South Arm Township. 600 feet of frontage on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix. Adjacent to Olstrom Family Preserve.

1.3 acres, 2013

Charlevoix Township Parcels were conveyed to Little Traverse Conservancy from the Charlevoix County Land Conservancy. Adjacent to the Charlevoix Hospital.

266 acres, 2010 – 2023 

Peaine Township. 1,360 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline. The original preserve was purchased with a grant from the J.A. Woollam Foundation. The preserve grew by 140 acres in 2019 with the bargain sale purchase of land previously protected with a conservation easement and by another 40 acres in 2020 and 26 acres in 2022. In 2023, an addition of 40 acres was added and is referred to as the Zanella-Whittemore Addition to Conn’s Cove after Rosemary Whittemore, who sold the property to LTC at a bargain sale. 

11 acres, 2008

Melrose Township. Adjoins state land along the Bear River that was protected as an assist the project with the State.

17 acres, 2014

City of Boyne City. Donated by Michael Gabos.

22.5 acres, 2012

Eveline Township. Purchased with funds provided by neighbors to the property. Lake Charlevoix watershed.

22 acres, 2017

Norwood Township. Donated by Marion Light. Part of her late husband George’s family land.

  • East: 80 acres with 680 feet on Maxwell Road.
  • West: 20 acres with 760 feet on Cobb Road.

 

2017

Partially in Charlevoix County. Donated by Hank and Liesel Litzenburger Meijer.

10 acres, 1990

Hayes Township. Donated by Daniel and Margaret Haggerty in memory of their ancestor, Jeremiah (1870-1888).

8 acres, 2008

Hayes Township. 555 feet on Susan Lake. A significant bargain sale from Susan Verlinden and named after her parents.

40 acres, 2014

South Arm Township. Bargain sale from Marchio Family and other donations made this preserve possible. 600 feet on an unnamed creek. Wetland sections are described as a fen or peatland.

2 acres, 1993+

Hayes Township. Partial donations by Mrs. Katie Kieren and the Slosar family, this preserve includes Mallard Creek and Boyne City Road frontage.

1.5 acres, 1980

Hayes Township. Donated by Thomas and Kaye Loeb, this preserve lies along US-31 and includes 500 feet of Lake Michigan shore.

1.5 acres, 2014

Peaine Township. Conveyed from Charlevoix County Land Conservancy. Found on the east shore of Beaver Island.

132 acres, 1999-2005

Wilson Township. To honor Florence Marvin’s wish to keep the family farm undeveloped, her sister Ella donated most of this property. An addition was purchased in 2005. A rustic parking area and two-track trails are available.

2.9 acres, 1991

Bay Township. Donated by Ray and Jean Marx. Located in the Zenith Heights subdivision near Walloon Lake.

13 acres, 1990+

Hayes Township. Donated by Rik Lobenherz. It consists of two parcels with 240 feet of Susan Lake.

40 acres, 2006

2,640 feet on Horton Creek. Part of Taylor Horton Creek / Schulz Working Forest Reserve Complex consisting of three nature preserves. Purchased with donor funds.

220 acres, 1992, 1998

Boyne Valley Township. James North donated 20 acres with 620 feet on the north branch of the Boyne River. In 1998, Dr. W.A. and EvaBelle Deppa donated an adjacent 40-acre preserve and a 160-acre preserve across the road. Joan and Jerry Deppa donated an additional 21 acres in 2021. 

  • Three Bears Mountain Nature Preserve – 181 acres, 1998 and 2021
  • Big Cedar Nature Preserve – 20 acres, 1992

1 acre, 2010

South Arm Township. Donated by Olstrom family. Lies adjacent to the Charles M. Taylor Preserve along the south arm of Lake Charlevoix.

23 acres, 1982

Hayes Township. Donated by C.T. and Francis Martin. Located on Lake Charlevoix’s Oyster Bay.

28 acres, 2013

Boyne Valley Township. Conveyed from Charlevoix County Land Conservancy. Includes 500 feet of the South Branch of Boyne River.

0.5 acres, 2013

Charlevoix Township. Conveyed from Charlevoix County Land Conservancy. Located just west of the Charlevoix Community Pool.

10 acres, 2000

Bay Township. Located on Horton Creek along Boyne City-Charlevoix Road 5 miles west of Boyne City and just west of Horton Bay.

100 acres, 2017

Peaine Township, Beaver Island. Donated by the W.J. Martin Estate. Two access strips off of Mrs. Reddings Trail and West Side Road. Walter’s Road meets the west boundary.

40 acres, 1991

40-acre woodlot adjoining state land on the east. Enrolled in the Commercial Forest Reserve Act and a registered Tree Farm. Donated by Helmuth “Bud” Schulz.

2.7 acres, 1992

Boyne City Township. Donated by Jim and Catherine Scollin and Brendan and Mary Lee. Located between M-75 and the Boyne River.

10 acres, 2020

South Arm Township. Just outside the city limits of East Jordan, this property was purchased by Jim Slough from the Blanchard Estate and donated to LTC.

2 acres, 2012, 2016

The city of Boyne City. The first piece was donated by the Spehar family, with a small addition purchased in 2016.

13 acres, 2020

St. James Township. Northeast corner of Beaver Island. Funds for the purchase of this preserve were donated by Ray Stanhope. This property lies adjacent to township property and includes 200 feet of shoreline on Lake Michigan.

0.5 acres, 1991

Hayes Township. 250 feet of frontage on Susan Lake. Designated wetland, DNR access site to the north.

28.5 acres, 2004

Hayes Township. A gift from Mike and Rhea Dow. Located along Boyne City-Charlevoix Road.

4 acres, 1975

Norwood Township. Donated by Ron and Carol Weislik. Lies in the Clipperview Subdivision near Fisherman’s Island.

5 acres, 2002

Boyne Valley Township. Donated by Wellman Properties. Located just outside Boyne Falls with 400 feet of frontage on Boyne River.

4 acres, 1996   

Marion Township. An undeveloped preserve protecting 1200 feet of frontage on the south-east shore of West Twin Lake and associated wetlands. The northern-most lake in the Elk River watershed, its lacustrine wetlands host significant habitat for aquatic flora and fauna.

The property was deemed significant in that Ed Voss had identified Hill’s Pondweed, (Potomogeton Hillii) at the site. It is a Protected, Threatened Species within Michigan with a State Rank of S2 – Imperiled. It occurs at only 11 sites within the state. The state does not reveal exact locations of rare plants online, so the precise location reference is difficult to find.

 

Purchased in part with a generous grant from Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix.

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