~ Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy ~
(http://www.walloon.org)
Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy Facebook Page
________________________________
(http://www.walloon.org)
Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy Facebook Page
________________________________
Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy
Nature Preserves
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2014.
Nature Preserves
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2014.
When Edgar H. "Gar" Lotspeich died 9 February 1999, it was noted: "In the late 70's Gar was a founder of the Walloon Lake Association Trust. He was an early trustee of the Trust and served on the Water Quality, Government Affairs and Land Preservation Committees for many years. Gar spearheaded the Association's efforts to restrict funnel development and authored the 'Walloon Clause' which was adopted by the five townships and two counties which surround the Lake. His success in getting restrictive zoning ordinances passed was followed by the assignment of Township Representatives whose job it was, and remains today, to monitor the activities of local units of government for the Association."
While the position for a "land protection specialist for the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy" has been filled,
the Petoskey News Review 2013 article below by Morgan Sherburne
gives a description of the conservancy, and the role the land protection specialist fills.
Heather Huffstutler (photo below) has been hired for the position.
Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy seeks land protection specialist
March 08, 2013|Morgan Sherburne
Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy seeks land protection specialist
March 08, 2013|Morgan Sherburne
"Seeking: one full-time land protection specialist for the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy.
The Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy is an organization that concentrates solely on protecting land within the Walloon Lake watershed.
One of the organization’s top concerns is keeping Walloon Lake water pure and clean, says Betsy Lieberman, the conservancy’s executive director.
'By protecting land, that limits or eliminates development. Drainage of water is different from vacant or less developed parcels,' she said.
In total, the conservancy has protected more than 1,900 acres within the Walloon Lake watershed. The conservancy owns 41 preserves, and has coordinated 26 conservation easements.
Conservation easements are privately-owned property on which the landowner has signed a conservation agreement. The landowner and conservancy hammer out the details of the agreement, but once those details are set and the papers signed, the landowner — and whoever buys or inherits the property after the landowner — has to adhere to the contract of the conservation easement.
It is these properties the land protection specialist that the conservancy hopes to hire will oversee. The potential land protection specialist will also prioritize and select properties the conservancy hopes to protect. Other duties will include developing relationships with land owners, fellow organizations and local and state governments. The specialist will also lead fundraising efforts for conservancy projects, working with individual donors, foundations and government agencies.
Finally, the specialist will develop preserve management plans and work with the organization’s land stewardship committee to evolve innovated stewardship uses of preserves.
For more information about the position or the conservancy, call (231) 347-0100, or email [email protected].
The conservancy’s preserves are open to the public, many with trails for hiking and other, non-motorized use. Find a map of these preserves at http://www.walloon.org"
March 08, 2013|Morgan Sherburne
"Seeking: one full-time land protection specialist for the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy.
The Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy is an organization that concentrates solely on protecting land within the Walloon Lake watershed.
One of the organization’s top concerns is keeping Walloon Lake water pure and clean, says Betsy Lieberman, the conservancy’s executive director.
'By protecting land, that limits or eliminates development. Drainage of water is different from vacant or less developed parcels,' she said.
In total, the conservancy has protected more than 1,900 acres within the Walloon Lake watershed. The conservancy owns 41 preserves, and has coordinated 26 conservation easements.
Conservation easements are privately-owned property on which the landowner has signed a conservation agreement. The landowner and conservancy hammer out the details of the agreement, but once those details are set and the papers signed, the landowner — and whoever buys or inherits the property after the landowner — has to adhere to the contract of the conservation easement.
It is these properties the land protection specialist that the conservancy hopes to hire will oversee. The potential land protection specialist will also prioritize and select properties the conservancy hopes to protect. Other duties will include developing relationships with land owners, fellow organizations and local and state governments. The specialist will also lead fundraising efforts for conservancy projects, working with individual donors, foundations and government agencies.
Finally, the specialist will develop preserve management plans and work with the organization’s land stewardship committee to evolve innovated stewardship uses of preserves.
For more information about the position or the conservancy, call (231) 347-0100, or email [email protected].
The conservancy’s preserves are open to the public, many with trails for hiking and other, non-motorized use. Find a map of these preserves at http://www.walloon.org"
The 16 June 2016 Petoskey News Review reported that the "Conservancy Dedicates New 12 Acre Preserve." The article explained the importance of this preserve for Walloon Lake: Heather Huffstutler, land protection specialist for the conservancy stated, "Creating the Pattengale Neuman Preserve was important to the WLTC because the property contains two high ridges that filter water for the Walloon Lake watershed. This land also contains a corridor or 'greenway' that provides habitat connectivity for native wildlife"
The 22 March 2017 Petoskey News Review reported that "The Walloon Lake Association and the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy recently named Josephine Roberts as their new executive director... the two groups work in tandem to serve and protect the Walloon Lake watershsed so that it can be enjoyed in perpetuity."
Edward Lapekas Jr. who served as President of the Walloon Lake Country Club, President of the Walloon Lake Association, and Vice-president of the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy, passed away 1 December 2017.
Brice Toland Voran, who served as President of the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy, and later Chairman of the Land Preservation Committee passed away 18 September 2018. Brice and his wife Chris were married in Walloon Lake 24 July 1983.
The 2 May 2019 Petoskey News Review reported an article titled: "Vote Coming on Walloon Lake Groups' Possible Merger." The two groups include Walloon Lake Association and Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy. "Association officials noted that although the two organizations share similar missions and goals as well as staff, they exist as two separate entities with separate boards." A team of members from both groups "concluded that a merger would create greater staff efficiency, improved programming, enhanced communication and an equitable sharing of assets" among other benefits. The full membership will have an opportunity to vote before going farther in the process.
The 17 May 2019 Petoskey News Review announced "Walloon Lake Association approves merger". “It’s a great day for Walloon Lake,” commented association president Lauren Macintyre. 'With our 932 families who are committed to the preservation of Walloon joining the trust, with its 46 preserves and 2,000 acres of ecologically significant habitats, it can only mean wonderful things for the lake.'"
"The new organization, to be called the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy, must now be approved as a nonprofit organization by the state of Michigan."
"The new organization, to be called the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy, must now be approved as a nonprofit organization by the state of Michigan."
The 25 February 2022 Petoskey News Review reported that a grant from the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation's Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund was awarded. The recipients of the award were Melrose Township, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy. The Village of Walloon award will support the design and installation of a rain garden at the Third Street road end to improve storm water management. The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council will focus on more storm water solution projects through cooperation of local officials. The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy will address aquatic invasive species in Walloon Lake by installing a permanent boat wash station at Jones Landing launch site, hoping to accomplish this wash station by spring or summer of 2022.