HeadWaters Land Conservancy is proud to announce a major milestone in its ongoing commitment to land conservation in northeast Michigan — the successful completion of the first acquisition of their Hess Nature Preserve Expansion Project. This marks the organization’s first-ever acquisition led entirely by HeadWaters, representing a significant step forward in its mission to protect and preserve the region’s most valuable natural resources.

The newly acquired 40-acre property, formerly owned by Lawrence Anderson, features rare wooded dune and swale habitat, a unique and fragile landscape formed thousands of years ago when glaciers receded from the area. These alternating sandy ridges and wetland depressions, found in only a handful of counties along the Great Lakes, provide critical habitat for diverse plant and wildlife species. The property also contains coastal fen habitat, another rare and ecologically significant wetland type found only along northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

“Completing this acquisition is a landmark achievement for HeadWaters Land Conservancy,” said Julie Rubsam, Executive Director of HeadWaters Land Conservancy. “This is the first time our organization has directly led and completed the acquisition process from start to finish, and it reflects both the growth of our capacity as a land trust and the commitment of our supporters to protecting the natural treasures of northeast Michigan.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Lawrence Anderson for his vision and trust in HeadWaters to care for this special property,” said Rubsam. “His decision to contribute to the expansion of Hess Nature Preserve helps protect not just his land, but the integrity of an entire landscape.”

The acquisition was made possible thanks to the generous support of several key partners and donors, including the Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Alpena Walmart, the Consumer’s Foundation, and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation. Their support, along with contributions from individual donors, made this conservation success possible.

Efforts to expand Hess Nature Preserve have been underway for more than two years. HeadWaters’ goal is to acquire an additional 200 acres of high-priority land adjacent to the existing preserve. Long-term plans for the newly acquired property include habitat restoration, wetland enhancement where needed, and the creation of low-impact trails and boardwalks to connect it to the existing trail system at Hess Nature Preserve.

“Our work is far from over,” Rubsam added. “This acquisition is an incredible step forward, but there are still additional parcels to protect in order to complete the full vision for the Hess Nature Preserve Expansion.”