On Sunday, 18 Oct 2015 Robin and I braved I-75 traffic jams and headed north to Grand Blanc, MI to attend the dedication ceremony for the Lost Lake Nature Preserve. The 538-acre parcel in Oakland and Genesee Counties was purchased by the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) in August 2013 with the help from an anonymous donor for $1.1 million dollars. SMLC partnered with Six Rivers Land Conservancy, who holds a conservation easement on the property, to purchase the property for both public recreation and natural area preservation.
The property spans parts of Holly and Grand Blanc Townships and is valued for its diverse habitats that include wetlands, mature forests and prairie runway. Slack Lake (50 acres) and Bloat Lake (8 acres) are the main attractions of the property, the former one of several kettle lakes in the area. The property also contains emergent marshlands, ponds, streams, open meadows and oak woodlands.
The afternoon was mild (50's) with partly sunny skies and a nice breeze. Trees were turning colors, and great turnout of enthusiastic supporters turned out to witness the dedication and hike the 2.1 mile nature trail loop.
SMLC Board President Jonathan Trevarthan, Oakland County Parks Planning Supervisor Melissa Prowse, and Chris Bunch, Executive Director of Six Rivers Land Conservancy provided dedication comments. Jill Lewis, Executive Director of SMLC, and Erik Elgin, SMLC Stewardship and Outreach Specialist, also provided comments. Jack Smiley, founder of SMLC, was also among several other notable celebrities in attendance.
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Jonathan Trevarthan
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| Erik Elgin |
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| Melissa Prowse |
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| Jill Lewis |
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| Chris Bunch |
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| Jack Smiley |
After the dedication ceremony was completed, I tagged along w/ the group that was led by Oakland County Parks naturalist and nature education writer Jonathan Schechter. Jeff Buecking, Genesee Co. Audubon Society member was also there to provide bird guiding services (we would see dozens of Blue Jays and Common Grackles stream through area during the late afternoon hours).
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| Jonathan Schechter |
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| Big Blue Stem Grass |
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| Jeff Buecking |
Afterward I headed back to the car to battle the I-75 traffic (and Lion's traffic) back home. Congratulations to SMLC and SRLC for being able to preserve this gorgeous piece of property.
- Partner Information
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit and qualified conservation organization established 25 years ago, has protected approximately 3,400 acres across southeast Michigan through the conservation of natural lands and open space to provide wildlife habitat and to enrich the lives of people. SMLC has a history of conserving land in partnership with Federal, State, and local governments and other conservation organizations. www.smlcland.org
Six Rivers Land Conservancy works to preserve natural, agricultural and important community lands in the region. It works in the watersheds of the Belle, Clinton, Flint, Huron, Rouge and Shiawassee rivers in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, Genesee and St. Clair counties. We work with private landowners and public agencies to ensure land remains in its natural or agricultural state and to acquire property for public recreational and educational uses. www.sixriversrlc.org
