Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy-Other Projects

"Treat the Earth well.

It was not given to you by your parents.

It was loaned to you by

your children."

- Kenyan Proverb

Preserving land. Protecting water. Sustaining life.

Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy News and Projects
Information on programs and projects at the Conservancy

JOB POSTING

The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy is looking for a resourceful leader with excellent management skills and experience to guide the organization as an Executive Director with a fundraising track record and ability to work with a diversity of organizations and individuals. Established in 1997, the SBLC is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of land and water resources to promote sustainable communities and a higher quality of life in Michigan’s Saginaw Bay Watershed. The conservancy currently owns 10 nature preserves with over 500 acres and manages 69 conservation easements to assist local property owners in protecting 5,200 acres of land in the region. This is a great opportunity to work in land protection along one of the Great Lakes, the world’s largest freshwater system. Applicants should send a cover letter with salary requirements and resume, including three references, to searchcommittee@sblc-mi.org by January 20, 2012. A complete job description is available. All inquiries should be sent to the email address listed; no phone calls please.

Hosting the Rotary Group Study Exchange from Greece

From Huron Daily Tribune 04/21/2011

Local Rotary Clubs host Greek citizens

BY BILL DILLER

Members of the Greek Group Study Exchange, the Pigeon Rotary Club, the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy and the Sand Point Nature Preserve stroll along a trail in the Sand Point Nature Preserve. From left to right; Peggy Mangan, Valerie Roof, Sevasti Spyridoginnak, Avraam Aslanidis, Mike Stoner, Ted Leipprandt and John Mangan.

Local Rotary Clubs recently gave some Greek citizens a sample of life in the Thumb.

From March 14 until April 14 Rotary International District 6310 hosted a Group Study Exchange (GSE) group from District 2470, which encompasses the southern half of Greece, and has 71 Rotary Clubs and approximately 1,800 Rotarians.

The group from Greece was made up of five people: Dimitris Kovkovtsas, a systems security officer at Vivodi Telecommunications; Avraam Aslanidis, a civil engineer; Sevasti Spyridogiannaki, a freelance translator who has worked with the Foundation of the Hellenic World and the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission; Maria Chatzinikolaki, a communications and development manager at Together for Children NGO, a non profit organization that works in the field of child welfare; a nd Dimiteris Iliakis, a robotics engineer. Iliakis was the team leader, and a Rotarian.

During their stay in Michigan, the visitors were housed by Rotarians in host communities. The Pigeon and Sebewaing Rotary Clubs were hosts from April 10 to 14, when the visitors returned to Greece. Rotarians from the Pigeon and Sebewaing Rotary Clubs took the visitors into their homes and provided food and shelter.

The Greek citizens were treated to a variety of tours during their stay. They visited Tower Automotive, Active Feed, the Caseville Water Treatment Plant, Scheurer Hospital, Thumb National Bank, the Zagata Dairy Farm, Bay Shore Camp, the Burns Gallery, Sebewaing Tool and took a tour of the Unionville-Sebewaing schools.

They also enjoyed a concert by the Bill Denbrock Big Band and toured theWind Park. Their final tour was a guided walk through the Sand Point Nature Preserve, which is a 139-acre parcel of land located along Wild Fowl Bay.

The visitors seemed to enjoy their nature outing, walking all the way from the parking lot on M-25 to the bay, crossing a swampy area and a wide sand beach to get there. They were guided by Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy Executive Director, Valerie Roof, of Linwood, and Mike Stoner, of Pinconning, a Rotarian and a board member of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, along with John and Peggy Mangan, of Sand Point, who are Volunteer Preserve Coordinators. Pigeon Rotarians, Ted Leipprandt and Penny St Cyr also accompanied the group.

After the nature walk, the visitors were treated to a farewell meal and then prepared for their return trip to Greece.

Rotary International is an organization of service clubs, called Rotary Clubs, with branches throughout the world. It has the distinction of being the world’s first service club, and boasts more than 1.2 million members worldwide, divided into more than 33,000 clubs. Club members are involved in humanitarian projects on a local level, but also work internationally to fight hunger, improve the health and sanitation of people in underdeveloped countries, and are dedicated to the eradication of polio throughout the world. Their motto is Service Above Self.

Being an international collective of smaller groups requires a great deal of organization, so Rotary International is divided into districts according to geographical location. Huron County is part of District 6310, and has four Rotary Clubs, which are located in Pigeon, Harbor Beach, Sebewaing and Bad Axe.

In a Group Study Exchange, one of Rotary’s many international programs, professional and business people between the ages of 25 and 40, who are in the early stages of their careers, travel to other areas of the globe to learn about local customs and economies.As part of this Rotary International program the visitors observe how local practitioners of their craft conduct business.

For more information regarding Rotary International or the Group Study Exchange Program, visit the Internet website at http://www.rotary6310.org

SAND POINT NATURE PRESERVE DEDICATION CEREMONY

ATTRACTS CROWD

Dark skies and increasing winds weren’t enough to keep people from attending the October 6^th dedication ceremony for the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy’s Sand Point Nature Preserve. Despite rain storms on the horizon, 54 people came to celebrate the acquisition and permanent protection of the 139-acre preserve, located at the base of Sand Point near Caseville, MI.

The ceremony drew a crowd, first and foremost, because the Sand Point Nature Preserve is a remarkable piece of coastal property. Approximately half of the preserve is wetlands, attracting wildlife that includes Bald Eagles and rare Marsh Wrens. The State of Michigan has recognized the importance of the preserve by officially designating it an "Environmental Area," a title placed on only about 8.5% of the Great Lakes shoreline.

Perhaps a more important recognition of importance has been given by the residents of the Sand Point area; who have shown their support time and again by helping with preserve clean-ups, volunteering to monitor the preserve, visiting on a regular basis, and by contributing to the dedication ceremony. “We visit the preserve nearly every day,” states Peggy Mangan, who along with her husband John, regularly monitors the property for the conservancy. “It is a beautiful place, and we are glad to help protect it.”

The acquisition and permanent protection of the property was a cooperative effort of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, The Dow Chemical Company, Lone Tree Council, former owners Clarence & Donna Osentoski, The Nature Conservancy, and Ducks Unlimited. Further support for preserve improvements was provided by the Huron County Community Foundation and many local businesses have donated in-kind services to help with special projects.

Conservancy board president Larry Frisch opened the ceremony by expressing his appreciation to all contributors and invited the community to use and enjoy the property. “This is your preserve,” he expressed to the crowd, “we hope you will enjoy it and help us care for it.” Valerie Roof, Conservancy executive director, expressed her personal thanks before opening up the floor to several guest speakers.

Huron County Commissioner Clark Eftman and Caseville Township Supervisor Larry Degg, who both volunteered at this year’s spring clean up; spoke about the benefits the preserve provides to the community. Doug Reeves of Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife division spoke about the persistence and cooperation that was required to establish the preserve. Karen Osentoski, daughter of Clarence & Donna Osentoski, closed by explaining what the property meant to her family, “It was my parents, and especially my father’s dream to see this land protected. As he was battling cancer, he told all his doctors, ‘I have to stay alive long enough to see my land protected.’” Fortunately Clarence lived to see his dream come to fruition when the SBLC acquired the property in the fall of 2008.

GEOCACHING EVENT A SUCCESS AT SAND POINT NATURE PRESERVE

Thanks to the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy there are some new caches and new Geocachers in the Saginaw Bay area. On Saturday, September 12^th the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy (SBLC) hosted a “learn to Geocache” day at its Sand Point Nature Preserve to celebrate the introduction of Geocaching at the property.

The event was organized by Saginaw resident Darlene “windrose” Elias, a long time area geocacher, who volunteered to place and monitor caches at the SBLC’s Sand Point and Pinconning Nature Preserves. Darlene and other experienced geocachers explained the sport to the newcomers. “Geocaching is a type of scavenger hunt in which people use GPS coordinates to find a hidden prize,” Darlene started her speech. Twenty-five people were in attendance, seven of which were first time geocachers.

After the lesson the crowd set out into the 139-acre preserve with their GPS units in hand in search of the caches. Experienced players helped guide the rookies and offered practical advice on mastering the art of finding small hidden containers in the middle of the woods. As the players explored the property, “I never even knew this preserve was here” was a frequently repeated phrase, “this place is incredible.”

Once everyone had learned the game, Darlene handed out the GPS coordinates for the permanent Sand Point Nature Preserve cache and the race was on to be the first person to make the find. The honor went to Adam Romzek who stated that he enjoyed geocaching because, “It's fun. It’s exciting to use modern technology to help explore the great outdoors. Geocaching has taken me to a lot of great places that I wouldn’t have visited otherwise.”

The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy introduced geocaching at two of its preserves, Sand Point and Pinconning, to inspire more recreational use and to increase awareness of SBLC’s conservation efforts. In geocaching, players hide small containers filled with simple prizes in areas that are open to the public and list the GPS coordinates on the internet for other players to find. “Geocaching is about the fun of the search,” states Neil Sauter. “It’s a great way for people to explore their community and often introduces people to beautiful natural area they might not have visited otherwise.”

To learn more about GeoCaching or to find the coordinates of the SBLC preserve caches visit www.geocaching.com.

PRESSPRICH NATURE PRESERVE DEDICATED

Au Gres, MI -The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy officially dedicated the Pressprich Nature Preserve on Saturday, August 8, honoring Saginaw resident Charlotte Eickholt Pressprich for her land donation and inviting the public to enjoy the recently established preserve trails.

In 2006 Charlotte Eickholt Pressprich donated the 48.2-acre parcel in honor of her late husband Robert Pressprich. The property is of high ecological value because it serves as a ground water recharge area and because more than half of the preserve is classified as wetlands. Wetlands provide habitat for a variety of species and improve water quality by filtering out pollutants.

At the ceremony SBLC unveiled a new sign describing the important features of the preserve and recognizing Charlotte Pressprich for her donation. Mrs. Pressprich and members of her family took the opportunity to pay tribute to Robert Pressprich. “[My father] was constantly looking for ways to serve in his community” stated William O. Pressprich, Charlotte and Robert’s eldest son. “He loved the Au Gres area, its natural beauty and the people that live and vacation here. He would have loved to see the land preserved and the beauty of it shared with future generations.”

Charlotte Pressprich and Valerie Roof unveil the new sign.

In addition to honoring Charlotte Pressprich the dedication provided an opportunity for the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy staff and board members to express their commitment to protecting the preserve. Mike Stoner, vice president of the SBLC board stated, “The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy is dedicated to the preservation of natural areas. Natural areas, such as the Pressprich Nature Preserve, provide numerous ecological benefits and improve quality of life for the people who visit. We promise to protect and preserve this property, forever.”

The Conservancy will enlist the help of volunteers and other environmental based organizations in caring for the preserve; some of whom were on hand to explain their role. Volunteer preserve coordinator Cathy Washabuagh will provide regular monitoring, Conservation Officer Nick Atkin will investigate any reported illegal uses, and members of the U.S. coast guard will patrol the nearby shoreline to prevent illegal dumping. Neighbors of the preserve have also provided support to the Conservancy. The new trails were mowed by Au Gres resident Charles Appold and St. Paul Lutheran Church was gracious enough to host the ceremonial event.

At the conclusion of the dedication, attendees participated in a wildflower walk on the newly developed trails. The walk was led by another valuable volunteer, local wildflower expert Pat Bilbrey. The preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk for anyone who wishes to explore the new trails for themselves.

SAGANING NATURE PRESERVE RECEIVES OFFICIAL DEDICATION

“The purpose of our dedication ceremony is to celebrate this preserve and to let the community know it is here for their enjoyment,” stated Valerie Roof, executive director of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy (SBLC), during Monday’s dedication ceremony at the Saganing Nature Preserve. And enjoy the preserve the community did. Neighbors, local officials, community leaders, thirty-five people in all, were in attendance to celebrate the occasion, walk along the shore of the Saganing River, and take in the beauty of the 38.4 acre landscape; all while being blessed with warm weather and a cool breeze.

The ceremony began with Larry Frisch, president of the SBLC board, explaining the benefits of natural areas – improving water quality, reducing the risk of flooding, providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities – and SBLC’s role in natural land preservation – protecting more than 4,500 acres of natural lands through seven nature preserves and conservation agreement with 57 land owners in the Saginaw Bay region.

Ms. Roof followed by thanking the many individuals and organizations who helped fund the acquisition and improvements to the preserve, before opening up the floor to the conservancy’s closest neighbor, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. Craig Graveratte, the tribe environmental response specialists, spoke next about the value of preserved land. “Without Mother Earth’s blood we would not have the beauty of the trees, the lands, the rivers, the abundant wildlife, and most important of all Life…so, it is an honor that we are here today to help with the dedication of this nature preserve for all to enjoy.” He spread Selma (tobacco) at the preserve entrance as a traditional gesture of thanks and respect to mother earth. His dedication was followed by a round of applause from the audience.

The Tribe is not the only neighbor glad to have the conservancy next door. Floyd Bender, SBLC member and owner of nearby Whites Beach Resort reported that, “Visitors are always asking me what there is to do in the community. I always recommend they come here.” But the preserve is not just for the tourist. Chamber of Commerce vice president Ruth Caldwell said, “The preserve is beautiful it is a great place for tourists and local residents alike to come and take pictures, take hikes, access the river, and enjoy nature. Chamber president Andy Radatz, shared that he used to fish on what is now preserve property as a kid, as did several other attendees. Now that the preserve is owned and maintained by the conservancy it will remain open to public use for generations to come.

The ceremony closed with SBLC board members and key community officials cutting a ceremonial ribbon and inviting guests to tour the property. Many guests took the opportunity to explore the property and walked back to the Saganing River which borders the preserve for 2,000 feet before emptying into the Saginaw Bay.

SUMMER CLASS STUDIES NATURAL RESOURCES AT SAGINAW BASIN LAND CONSERVANCY’S PINCONNING NATURE PRESERVE

It’s not unusual to see students heading to the waters during summer; we just expect them to be playing, not collecting scientific data. On Monday, June 22^nd, 16 students from the Bay-Arenac Summer Academy traveled to the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy’s Pinconning Nature Preserve for a day of hands-on learning. The students, who are part of the Natural Resources and the Environment class, took a wildlife hike through the preserve, learned about the value of wetlands, and collected data on the water quality of the Pinconning River.

“The purpose [of the class] is to increase high school students' knowledge in the areas of natural resources and present environmental issues, including natural science, wildlife, energy and renewable sources, forestry, and agriculture,” said Cathy LaLonde, class teacher. “The students will discuss and compare many pressing environmental issues affecting our community, state and country.”

During the field trip the students collected data on water temperature, turbidity (clarity), pH levels (acidity), and dissolved oxygen (oxygen availability for aquatic species). The data indicated that the waters of the Pinconning River running through the nature preserve are of good quality. The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy reported the student’s findings to the International Water Association, which collects water quality data from samples around the world.

“The Pinconning Nature Preserve is an ideal place for this type of classroom activity,” stated Neil Sauter, a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member who led the field trip as education and outreach coordinator for the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. “Wetlands are essential for protecting water quality and I’m excited I had the opportunity to help students learn about their importance here on site.”

The students also took turns wading into the river to collect aquatic species using kick nets. Different aquatic species have varying levels of tolerance to pollution. Finding aquatic species that can not tolerate pollution indicates that the water is healthy. Students stood upstream of their nets and stirred up sediment with their feet, hoping to capture aquatic species living near the river bed. Students left on shore then identified the captured aquatic species using bug identification cards and looked up their level of tolerance to pollution.

Cathy LaLonde, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center teacher, was pleased with the visit. “Students could see for themselves the importance and beauty of the wetland area. They were able to complete important measuring data for a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to water quality and help to monitor our precious water resource.”

The field trip is one part of larger hands on classroom approach that will also include studying fish of the Great Lakes and correct fishing procedures, examining bird and other wildlife habitats including building bird houses, evaluating pollution, soil testing, conducting experiments such as decomposition of common landfill materials, recycling, identifying Michigan plants, correct planting procedures and propagation of native plants and understanding renewable energy sources.

VOLUNTEER TEAM ENHANCES SAND POINT NATURE PRESERVE

Take four generations of a family and combine with 30 more volunteers from Pigeon, Caseville, Kinde, Bay City, Saginaw, Linwood, and then mix with generous donations. Next, add a passion for celebrating Earth Day in a practical way, and the result was major enhancements at the Sand Point Nature Preserve. On Sunday, May 3, Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy staff, board members, and volunteers gathered to install signage, benches, gates and clear the preserve of trash and debris, amounting to about two dump truck loads.

“The response to our request for volunteers was extremely heartwarming,” indicated Valerie S. Roof, executive director of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. “We appreciate all of the support that has from Caseville Township, Huron County, and the residents here.”

The story began two years ago when Clarence and Donna Osentoski agreed to sell 139 acres in Caseville Township along Wildfowl Bay to the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy to ensure that it would be protected forever. After applying for and receiving funding from U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and PIRGIM, and receiving a generous donation from the Osentoskis, the property was transferred to the Conservancy in 2008.

The Huron County Community Foundation took a leadership role in funding the enhancements, especially the hand carved sign that serves as the hallmark of conservancy preserves. Funds for lumber and hardware were also provided. The Caseville Subway and Caseville IGA Food Pride assisted by providing sandwiches for the volunteer workers. Timber and hardware were donated by Central Michigan Railroad and Carter Lumber, and Richfield Equities donated the disposal of the debris.

Comprised of mostly wetlands (over 50%), the land is the last large undeveloped parcel on Sand Point. It provides important habitat for migrating birds, serves as an estuary and nursery for Saginaw Bay fish, and contains rare species of concern, such as the bald eagle and marsh wren.

The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy invites the public to visit the preserve, hike the trails, and explore the sights and sounds of birds, animals, insects, plant life and fish that make their home on the Sand Point Nature Preserve and its waters. Those who have experienced the quiet, enjoyable peaceful setting of the preserve will agree; it’s a wonderful way to give back to a community and its people, and something that can be enjoyed for many generations to come.

P.O. Box 222 311 Fifth Street Bay City, MI 48707-0222 989.891.9986