Headwaters Land Conservancy Spring 2021 Newsletter

ISSUE 1, 2021

THE WISDOM

of Nature

BY LAURA JUSTIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I

t sure has been looking a lot brighter these days, literally and figuratively! We have a full docket of 2021 events scheduled for HeadWaters. So many have been enjoying the Preserves, especially our furred and feathered guests. The wetlands are like a symphony, filled with newly arrived red winged blackbirds with their most distinctive call, singing about the early spring. Now my anticipation grows daily for the hummingbirds, rose breasted grosbeaks and Baltimore orioles. Birds are my favorite harbinger of warmer weather and I have been more anxious to see them this year than ever before.

Coming out of this long pause feels a bit like a tight bud opening or a caterpillar slowly leaving its cocoon. You want it to happen NOW but you have to be… just a little more patient. In our modern age,

Tiger swallowtail at Luneack Preserve

waiting for anything seems terrible.

Going slow feels torturous for so many people, especially when sacrifices have to be made at the same time. Not to say speed and technology are the enemy.

That would be an impossible argument to make, considering COVID vaccines became a reality in just a matter of months and will save millions of lives.

I’m just wondering if we can find a bit more balance for the future.

Our work of protecting land and water has always been a deliberate process, purposely unrushed and meant to last forever. The people who support us… people like you and John Woollam, understand and appreciate that our work is a balance of science and art.

You reflect some of the best things this world has to offer; patience, generosity, dedication, kindness, caring, concern and compassion.

Through the pandemic, many of us have turned to nature as an elixir, and it made all the difference. For all the comfortably predictable rhythms we experience as each season passed, there were also surprises. Is there anything more exciting than seeing a snow bunting for the first time? A mink running gleefully with a prized fish in his whiskery face? Or the familiar but never wearisome courtship between cardinals, starting their families while snow is still on the ground.

Because of all of you, we emerge from this long pause with strength, support, and gratitude to continue our dedication to protecting the Up North we all know and love.

Thank you.

HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

STEARNS BIG CREEK Conservation Easement

ISSUE 1, 2021

R

ed Creek is a true headwater stream, beginning in a cedar swamp deep in the Huron National Forest. Red Creek flows across the Stearns property in a steep valley that levels out as it meets Big Creek. If you’ve ever waded or floated Big Creek in Oscoda County, from Brown Cabin Rd. to Big Creek Rd., you’ve undoubtedly appreciated the undeveloped riverfront Marvin “Marv” and Joyce Stearns have preserved through the years. Marv has spent time in the area since he was a child, and has watched large riverfront parcels be subdivided and developed. Marv and Joyce purchased their land in 1986 and moved to the property full-time when they retired.

After turning down offers to purchase portions of the property over the years, Marv and Joyce decided to donate a Conservation Easement to make sure the land they’ve cared for remains intact for generations to come.

The walk down the steep slope to Red Creek got harder and harder over the years, but the Stearns still have the priceless memories made there—Joyce pulling a 15" brook trout right off the footbridge, harvesting nice bucks with family and friends, and training the World’s Best Rabbit Dog, Chloe.

And now they can be certain the land they love will be protected, forever.

The Stearns Conservation Easement property has about 2500’ of frontage on both sides of Red Creek, and about 1500' on Big Creek. With Marv and Joyce’s contribution, HWLC’s land and conservation easement donors have permanently protected over 37 miles of shoreline on northeast Michigan’s rivers and lakes, and that’s not including the springs and unnamed streams found on many properties.

“ With Marv and Joyce’s contribution, HWLC’s land and conservation easement donors have permanently protected over 37 miles of shoreline.”

Red Creek

Big Creek

HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

CRAWFORD

Conservation Easement

IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, HWLC ACCEPTED OUR 90TH CONSERVATION EASEMENT, DONATED BY GERRY AND MARLYNNE CRAWFORD. NOW ONE PARCEL, THE PROPERTY IS MADE UP OF 11 DIFFERENT PARCELS THAT GERRY AND MARLYNNE PIECED TOGETHER OVER THE YEARS. THE CRAWFORD CONSERVATION EASEMENT’S ROLLING PASTURELAND PROVIDES A BEAUTIFUL VISTA FOR THOSE DRIVING M-72 BETWEEN LUZERNE AND MIO. THE PROPERTY IS BISECTED BY AN INTERMITTENT STREAM THAT FLOWS INTO THE AU SABLE ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AS THE CROW FLIES. THEIR PROPERTY WAS IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF HWLC’S

“VERY HIGH” PRIORITY PARCELS IN OSCODA COUNTY, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO THE CRAWFORDS FOR CHOOSING TO PROTECT THEIR LAND. Here is an excerpt from Gerry’s wonderful story about how they ended up with the land, how they turned it into a birder’s paradise, and why they decided to donate a Conservation Easement. To read Gerry’s story in its entirety, please visit: https:// headwatersconservancy.org/crawfordconservation-easement/ Marlynne and I first bought property in Oscoda county in 1991. We purchased a cabin on the Au Sable River. We had over 700 feet on the river and a

good view from the front window. The property was under the ‘natural rivers act’. The cabin was built to the best of our knowledge back in the 60’s. It was about 65 feet off the river edge at the time when we bought it. The cabin sat on a parcel of about 23 acres. The property went back off the river about 2000 feet.

Some of the property in the back was cedar swamp. I was told it was good deer hunting. This was a great setting for a sportsman. Fishing right out your front door. Sad to say it was not a setting for retirement. In the winter there was nearly 5 miles of road to plow to meet the county plow. The potential of trees falling across the road and a very steep driveway. And another 5 miles or so to town. So, we were looking for a different piece of property to settle on.

ISSUE 1, 2021 Now I am not new to the Mio area.

My Dad used to hunt in Hillman and Buckley. I remember as many of you the opening of the trees coming south coming out of Atlanta on M-33. Coming straight south on the flat part of the road and looking out at the upcoming hill, the split in the tree grows as the road traverses through. I have never lost the view of nature 60 plus years later.

Driving back and forth to Mio from our home on the river we watched this house being built on the top of a hill.

Wow what a view they must have from up there. Oh, what about the wind. The exposure. After a year or two, there was a for sale sign out front with a phone number. Uh-oh…we called it and made an appointment.

Now, I have mostly talked about land to this point. The most important thing is to keep the land together and preserve it for the generations to enjoy.

Do not misuse or abuse it. Secure a conservation easement.

Wildlife one might think would take care of itself if you take care of the land. I would say indeed it should and that is a step in the right direction. We have various kinds / types of wildlife.

We have enjoyed them all one way

or another. The white-tailed deer, red and grey fox, rabbit, coyote, opossum, badger, groundhog, hog nose snake and garter snake. Many birds large and small. Bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, harrier, kestrel, cooper's hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk. Many songs birds like mourning dove, blue birds, blue jays, evening and rose breasted grosbeak, chickadees, Baltimore oriole, gold finches, barn and tree swallows, sparrows, pine siskins, downy, hairy, pileated, red headed, red bellied, woodpeckers and flicker. Some game birds like the turkey, pheasant, and woodcock. Just about every year we have had a pair of kestrels and sandhill cranes nest here in the late spring. They have on most occasions have offspring.

The list goes on. Marlynne has logged a number of the animals, mostly birds in a log composed of 3 by 5 cards in a small wooden box. The date is logged when they arrive in the spring. There weren’t any birds here when we came.

There were no trees up on top of the hill here for them to perch in.

So, I joined the bird club. Learned how and what bird nesting boxes to build and put-up bird feeders. The birds came in droves. Must have told their friends.

I also built a kestrel nesting box 20 feet up on a pole. The kestrels come almost

every year and produce 1-2 offspring on a consistent basis. Also built a 3-foot square platform nearly 20 feet in the air to load with meat scraps to feed the raptors. Last and not least, we have grazed cattle here. I have had as many as 60 heads. Sometimes heifers with their newly born babies. This is where I have discovered most of the snakes walking the complete farmland moving the cattle.

Enjoy your land. Preserve your land.

Live with the animals that occupy it. They were here first. Enjoy their presence. We are responsible for our land. Be responsible. My definition of a Land Conservancy.

CONSIDER SUPPORTING GERRY’S OTHER CAUSE https://www.cfnem.org/ncmcf/ funds/give.html?fund=1050 This permanently endowed fund was established in memory of former Crawford County Sheriff Kirk Alan Wakefield. Scholarships from this fund will be used to support Crawford County graduates (current or former students) who will study in the Criminal Justice Program and the Kirtland Regional Police Academy at Kirtland Community College.

HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

Snowshoeing

ISSUE 1, 2021

ADVENTURE T

his winter was slow to start here in Northern Michigan. Our first snowshoe hike of the season took place January 16th out at the Sturgeon River Preserve. We had excited families show up to enjoy the fresh snow along the boardwalk. Though it was warmer than usual, February did not disappoint with another fresh snowfall that made for lively hikes with the Otsego County Commission on Aging folks. We were invited for a hike with the OCCOA at Aspen Park, which saw some first-time snowshoers! We were also fortunate to work with Kids Outdoors Otsego once again for their Winter Outdoor Fun Day, which had a phenomenal turnout! We spent the sunny day building snow walls and introducing families to the joys of snowshoeing. It wouldn’t be a full snowshoe season without visiting the Vanderbilt Area Schools! We spent a full day at VAS with students of all ages getting to experience snowshoeing in the woods. This is the fourth year we have hosted a snowshoe day with the Vanderbilt Schools, we love seeing kids outside learning about their natural world. We would like to give a big thanks to all the organizations that allow us to bring snowshoeing to people of all ages in the area.

HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

AN AMAZING

Ten Year Anniversary CAN YOU BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN TEN YEARS OF CONTINUOUS MATCH GRANT CHALLENGES FOR HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY? CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT IN THOSE TEN YEARS, YOUR MATCHING DONATIONS HAVE EXCEEDED OUR GOAL EVERY SINGLE YEAR? WELL, I CAN BELIEVE IT BECAUSE YOU ARE AMAZING! Because of your support and generosity, we will receive (another) match grant from the

J.A. Woollam Foundation in 2021. This year’s match grant opportunity started on January 1st, 2021, and will help us to continue the work of protecting our natural resources in the 11 counties of northeast Michigan.

I am happy to report that the J. A. Woollam Foundation has given us a challenge grant of $80,000 in 2021! Our largest challenge ever!

This dollar-for-dollar match grant has been increased every year for the last decade because donors like YOU exceed our goal every single time! Please help us continue this amazing progress by making a donation that meets JUST ONE of the following requirements:

• All lapsed donations (if a donation was not made in 2020 but was made in years prior) • The donation must be larger than your last gift, if even by $1.00!

• Any gift of $500 or more • Any new member donations.

PLEASE, invite a friend to become our partner!

From the cedar swamps to the coastal fens, the difference your support has made is incalculable and will not be forgotten. Together we save land forever!

ISSUE 1, 2021

Thank You FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

WITH SUMMER JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WE HERE AT HEADWATERS HAVE SOME FUN PROJECTS IN STORE. WE COULD NOT ACCOMPLISH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS WITHOUT THE HELP OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL GRANTS. This year we were lucky to receive a $1,000 grant from Gaylord Walmart for upgrades to our GPS systems! This is a big deal for us to keep our volunteer stewards safe and efficient when performing annual monitoring visits.

The Otsego County Community Foundation supports many local businesses and nonprofits, in years past we have been able to fund our summer internship program through their support. We are happy to say that we can continue that trend into 2021 by receiving a $2,600 match grant that will allow us to have a full-time intern. We also received a $1,000 grant from the Carol Buxton Fund to purchase a long-sought-after Go Pro camera for filming free, fun, and educational virtual content for the public to enjoy.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan has also graciously bestowed a $1,200 grant to HWLC to further pursue our land protection goals.

This grant will be used for contacting high-priority parcel owners in Presque Isle County.

We want to give a big THANK YOU to the foundations that work hard to help fund projects from local nonprofits like us. Every grant season we are humbled by the local support that we receive!

HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

Black Trumpet Mushroom

ANNOUNCING HEADWATERS

2021 Summer

Internship!

On the Horizon at

HEADWATERS! Though 2020 had some unique challenges, we hope 2021 will allow us to resume the events our followers have grown to love! We have a wonderful lineup of outreach and fundraising events planned for this upcoming field season. However, we do so with the caveat that these events could be canceled due to safety guidelines. Our patrons are the single most important asset we have, and we will conduct events with everyone’s safety in mind. Many of our events are weather permitting as well as snowmelt dependent, dates are subject to change. Visit our website and social media pages for real-time updates!

•

Michi-Lu-Ca Frog Hike April-TBD

•

Bird Hike at Wakely Lake May 22nd, 2021

•

Sturgeon River Preserve Trail Clean-up Day May-TBD

•

Appreciation Picnic July-TBD

•

Log Drive Fundraiser at Lovell’s Bridge Walk August 21st, 2021

•

Hotshots for HeadWaters Clay Shoot Fundraiser August 28th, 2021

•

Mushroom Hike September 11th, 2021

•

Fall Color Hike October 16th, 2021

•

Treetops Trifecta November 6th, 2021

HeadWaters is happy to announce that we will be resuming our intern program this summer.

We are seeking an Outreach & Stewardship Intern for a 14week assignment. The intern will get hands-on experience with all aspects of non-profit land conservation. This program will require the intern to learn land stewardship through annual CE and preserve monitoring as well as assisting in technology training of new volunteer land stewards. The outreach side of the program will see the intern crafting dynamic virtual content that will be free, fun, and educational for all ages to enjoy, as well as assisting in public outreach events. This is a paid internship and will also qualify for college credit. For a full position description please visit our website at https:// headwatersconservancy.org/ headwaters-internship-2021/

ISSUE 1, 2021

E Coyotes and Bobcats and Owls,

OH MY!

very year it seems the Sturgeon River Preserve gets busier and busier. Not only are we seeing a spike in human and canine visitors, but also a rise in the wilder kind. This fall we experimented with carcass provisioning with some deer remains, which allowed us to see exactly who has been passing through. Though the resident raven always seems to greet us with his familiar “quork”, some new feathered friends have been making their rounds as well. We have seen a pair of rough-legged hawks who migrate to Michigan from northern Canada during winter months, and a barred owl has been hunting the area during the daytime, while many coyotes cruise the scene at night. One of the best sightings so far was a small herd of elk passing through after a swim across the river. It would not have been a proper woodland party without bobcats, of which we had two distinct felines snacking on deer legs together! Carcass provisioning is something we do sparingly as we do not want to disrupt the natural behavior of the wildlife in the area, though it does yield some remarkable footage!

If you would like to see some of the great trail cam videos from this past year, check out our YouTube channel: HeadWaters Land Conservancy.

HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

HeadWaters Land Conservancy 110 South Elm Avenue Gaylord, MI 49735 989-731-0573 www.headwatersconservancy.org land@headwatersconservancy.org

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S TA F F Laura Justin Executive Director Libby Gunderson Director of Conservation Dianne Farner Outreach & Development Coordinator

B OA R D

of Trustees Jim Supina Chairperson Martha Eberly Vice Chairperson/Secretary Robb Smith Treasurer Virginia Pierce

John Dallas

Jeff Twyman

Keith Martell

Bill Anderson

Frank Ruswick

Call for Volunteers As HWLC is looking forward to another busy field season in 2021, we would love to add you to our team of volunteers!

We are looking for extraordinary people that love Northern Michigan and would be willing to donate their time and energy. We are seeking volunteers for the annual monitoring of conservation easements as well as nature preserves. We also need volunteers for fundraising events and mail campaigns. Volunteers are vital to the success of HeadWaters Land Conservancy, as they are involved in almost every aspect of the work we do. If you are interested in offering your knowledge and skills in any capacity to help protect land in northeast Michigan, visit HeadWatersconservancy.org for more information.