As development pressure expands from nearby communities, this Crystal Lake Township property provides an outstanding opportunity to protect 40 acres of high-quality forestland in the Betsie River watershed.
Located on a scenic moraine ridge between Crystal Lake and the Betsie River, this mature hardwood forest is part of an essential east-west ecological corridor that supports diverse ecosystems. It provides habitat for various upland species, including Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey and various songbirds, as well as larger species like bear, bobcat and white-tailed deer, which require expansive, connected areas to move freely and access resources.
Sugar maple and black cherry trees dominate the forest, which thrives in well-drained soils and has benefited from a long history of responsible forest management. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) intends to keep the property in Michigan’s Commercial Forest Program and designate it as an Ecologically Managed Forest, using sustainable forestry practices to enhance species diversity, improve forest structure and build resilience against disturbances like pests, disease and wildfire.
Managed this way, this property will remain part of this important forested corridor, and continue providing important ecosystem services for the Betsie River watershed, including filtering and recharging groundwater, stabilizing soils and improving water and air quality for people and wildlife. It will also play an important role in sequestering carbon while serving as a model for sustainable forestry. In addition, careful harvesting will generate income that helps support the forest’s stewardship as well as future land protection efforts across our region.