Clare: Have you experienced any kinks in the process of preserving your property? Doug and Pam: The biggest obstacle we experienced was patience. Our talks over 19 years brought us close to the table three times. Ty Ratliff with the Land Conservancy was the ingredient that made the chemistry work for our deal this time. His personal demeanor helped us feel that he had our interests in mind. He stated once that they buy only from “willing sellers” and that he always sought for win-win scenarios. Clare: Can you tell us about how your land is managed and a bit about its history? Doug and Pam: We have thinned this property three times and have an excellent growth of red pine timber. It is my desire to see the forest management continue in the future generations. We set up a stewardship fund with part of the proceeds from the last logging to be used for land improvements. These may include a platform for viewing or star gazing, interpretive signage, water source for the trail users or perhaps a rustic camp site. The property was a dairy farm owned by the Krause brothers. It was heavily logged and for many years had severe erosion due to the steep slopes. The property was used briefly as a local ski hill in the 30’s. We purchased the property from Ed Sobleskey in 1985, who should be credited with starting the conservation efforts on this land. He planted the pine plantations with local Future Farmers of America crews. Several local friends have told me they remember planting the seedlings in the late 60’s. We became stewards of this property after moving up here from the Detroit area where my family and I used to walk, and take our dog out along a network of local trails, so I realized the importance of recreational land use, particularly in urban areas. Clare: From your experience, what would you recommend to a future landowner who might be interested in both preserving their property and allowing the Trail to pass through it? Doug and Pam: One thing we recommend to any landowner considering allowing the trail to pass over their property or developing conservation
easements is persistence. The time you spend may result in the best legacy that you create in your life. Clare: What impact do you see thisdecision having on your family? Doug and Pam: Pam and I have been married 20 years. We have two daughters ages 17 and 16. In our early years my wife and I lived at the base of this mountain in a rustic log cabin with no electricity. Our water source was from a nearby spring. We had sought, at that time, a simpler or subsistence lifestyle. Somewhere after marriage, two kids, and a house mortgage, we lost our original direction. In a way, this property transfer to the Conservancy and its use by the North Country Trail achieves a part of our original direction for a simpler life— to take time to enjoy the natural beauty around us. Both girls have been active in the management of the property from hauling firewood and trail clearing to enjoying outings with friends, and my older daughter has hiked alone for many years. In fact, her walks in solitude seem to have built her confidence and self-reliance, so that at 17, she has already traveled to four continents. I like to think her life here prepared her for her diverse travels.
It is my belief that success begets success. This is certainly true in the land protection arena. As we become more familiar and comfortable with land protection methods & tools and coordinate with our friends in the land trust and conservation community, I believe we can progress with the development of off-road segments of the Trail onto adjacent protected lands. It’s not so far-reaching to imagine our trail corridor as an integrated part of the natural landscape. There are many landowners along our Trail route who support the Trail and allow the Trail to cross their property. They usually don’t want any hullabaloo made over them but we sure are thankful for the personal and philosophical decisions they make that allow for the dream of the North Country Trail! –Clare Ty Ratliff has been a Land Protection Specialist with the Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) for 9 years. LTC is headquartered in Harbor Springs, Michigan. To learn more about the Conservancy, please visit http://landtrust.org The City of Petoskey is located in Emmet County in the tip of the mitten that is Michigan’s lower peninsula. Emmet County is one of the fastestgrowing regions of the state. According to the 2000 US Census, its population increased from 25,040 to 31,437 between 1990 and 2000, a change of 25.5%. Since 2000, Emmet County’s population has continued to increase. The economy in Emmet County is driven by its recreational appeal and the seasonal influx of tourists and nonresident property owners.
The Boor Sisters “have been active in the management of the property,” says Dad proudly. April–June 8
The North Star
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