If you were to meander down the Sturgeon River in Otsego County, you would eventually encounter one of our two newest Conservation Easements, the George Kenneth (G.K.) Urschel Conservation Easement. Ken Ide has donated this conservation easement in his grandfather’s name, along with another conservation easement on another property nearby. Together these private conservation easements protect over 350 acres of land, forever.

Here Ken talks about why land conservation in northern Michigan is important to him: “I grew up in Southeast Michigan, first in the small village of Goodison, and then in Rochester. Our Rochester home was a long stones-throw from the Clinton River, and it was a wonderful, wooded place to explore when we were children. There was a huge old willow on the far river bank, with a big, rainbow-shaped limb that arched high up over the stream. We found that we could climb across the river on it, and reach a large oak-hickory woodland on the other side. We explored that woods all summer, and eventually found a good-sized opening near the river that looked like a perfect place to camp. We witnessed our first woodcock Sky Dance there one spring evening, although at that time we did not know what that strange little bird was, or what in the world it was doing.

That was nearly 60 years ago. I revisited Rochester about 20 years ago, and that entire oak-hickory woodland was gone. All of it. In its place were two sprawling condominium developments overlooking the river, with carefully mowed, bright green lawns. The clearing where we camped is now a series of fenced tennis courts. I did not recognize that area at first, it had been so profoundly transformed.

Many of us have had a similar experience, to one degree or another. Given the rapid growth that the Rochester area has experienced, I know that I should have expected this. But it was still a shock to me, and a surprisingly sharp disappointment. It made a lasting impression, one that I
have never forgotten. So now, I am permanently protecting this piece of Northern Michigan that has been enjoyed by our family for three
generations. I am gratified to partner with HeadWaters on a Conservation Easement in memory of my Grandfather, George Kenneth (G.K.) Urschel, who purchased this wonderful place in the 1940s & 50s, and who loved this Northern Michigan country with so much enthusiasm.”