Headwaters Winter 2022 Newsletter

HEADWATERS 2022 Staff & Board

Staff

Julie Rubsam

Executive Director

Libby Benjamin Director of Conservation

Dianne Farner

Community Engagement & Development

Board of Directors

Frank Ruswick Chairperson

Virginia Pierce Vice Chairperson

Robb Smith Treasurer

Martha Eberly Secretary

John Dallas

Joyanne Mittig

Thomas Schupbach

Jim Supina

Jeffrey Twyman

Brittany VanderWall

HeadWaters Land Conservancy

110 South Elm Ave

Gaylord, MI 49735

Letter from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I love this time of year! The days are getting cooler, leaves are changing, and falling. Hikes are now accompanied by the musical sound of crispy leaves underfoot. On clear, crisp nights, the stars go on forever overhead. Much of the world outside is slowing down, preparing itself for a restful winter. It is a perfect time to settle into a cozy spot and reflect upon the year.

The end of November will mark a year that I have been with HeadWaters Land Conservancy. My decision to take this position meant moving to a new place where I knew no one and very little about the area. While this year has not been without its less-thanideal moments, I am so glad I came. It has been a year of personal growth filled with new experiences. Because my partner and son are still living in Indiana, I am on my own for the first time in my life. The HeadWaters community and the communities across our service area have been wonderfully welcoming and have served as my educators and guides to this new and unfamiliar place. Many have become dear friends. My weekends are often filled with solo adventures. I have hiked beautiful places, viewed waterfalls, discovered a ‘secret’ stone labyrinth constructed for a beloved many generations ago, became a rock hunter and found my first Petoskey stone, pudding stone, and geode, visited islands, and fell in love with the wild shores of Lake Huron. There is something enchanting about the northeastern part of Michigan. It has completely drawn me in and changed me.

HeadWaters has also had a year of amazing

growth and experiences. We acquired our first work vehicle. This vehicle has allowed HeadWaters an opportunity to greatly expand our outreach and stewardship activities. We facilitated our first ever Forest School Friday Program. The program was so popular that we already have people contacting us about next year. Thanks to the generosity of the Peng Family, we added a seventh preserve, Porcupine Run, and we have plans to add a trail system to this property. We completed stewardship activities to restore natural habitats on our preserves. This year, we worked at our Dault Nature Preserve to remove years of waste from this fragile wetland ecosystem. This gave rare, threatened, and endangered species a chance to re-establish. At other preserves, we planted state threatened species and removed invasives. We expanded our trail system at our Luneack Nature Preserve. Luneack is our largest preserve at almost 600 acres and now features almost 5 miles of trails. We hope you get out and explore in the New Year as this preserve is closed for hunting until January. We completed three additional conservation easements, including our first in Iosco County. One of the important ways we help protect natural areas in northeast Michigan is by helping private landowners preserve their land using this conservation tool. It really has been an amazing year so far!

P.S. – Now that our son is settled in at college in Indianapolis, my partner, Jason, will be joining me in Michigan in early 2023. With so many places still to discover and explore, I cannot wait for new experiences with him by my side!

Photo Credit for cover:

Photo Courtesy of Chad Phelps.

PROTECT & Restore

RESTORING HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH STEWARDSHIP

While the year is coming to a close, we are busy looking ahead to 2023. The New Year will have some exciting new projects and events in store. Though we work across a large service area, we are committed to creating new programs and projects that will engage and enrich local communities. While we are lucky to have a great deal of public land in northern Michigan, accessing that land can be challenging for some. Headwaters wants to create more accessible areas for those that cannot travel far from their communities for outdoor experiences. While state land is wild and ripe for adventure, without a vehicle, accessible trails, or the ability to pay entrance fees, those areas are not exactly barrier free. Which is why we are putting a new emphasis on preserve projects geared towards alleviating some of those constraints in our service area.

We love our land, hoping that everyone who has the means to visit those destinations can and will. While we fawn over a good thick cedar swamp, we also realize that not everyone can, or should, bushwhack their way through one. Adding a boardwalk to some of our more wild places will allow visitors to experience a native Michigan habitat in a manner that is safe for the land and the visitors. Accessibility comes in many forms, this could mean a simple boardwalk to the Lake Huron shore, or an ADA accessible viewing platform near a marsh. Regardless of the structure or location, we will be working on adding more opportunities to enjoy our nature preserves for everyone.

ENGAGE

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES WITH LOCAL ENVIRONMENTS

Engaging the community with the outside world is the third prong of our mission. In doing so we have a responsibility to offer outreach that fits more than one demographic. Which is why next year we will be hosting a new series of free events known as our “Sips with Staff.” One to two times a month, HWLC staff will host a meet and greet with staff and members of the community at one of our nature preserves. We will provide a fire (if appropriate), non-alcoholic beverages, (although people are free to bring their own), and conversations about the preserve and what the public would like to see from our organization. These casual events will work like an open house, but in our preferred office; nature.

Each sip will showcase one of our preserves and things to do and see there during that season. We will host one at Big Lake during the spring ephemeral bloom, and again in the fall for the wonderful changing colors. In April, we invite everyone to participate in the Bob Ross “Happy Little Trees 5K,” at the Luneack Nature Preserve. We want communities to get to know our properties and staff. We will kick off Sips with Staff in the New Year. The first will be held at the Sturgeon River Nature Preserve in January.

We had such blast with Forest School this year! It was a wonderful series for getting kids outside in nature where they belong. In 2023 Forest School will move to Wednesdays instead of Fridays. We will host six Forest School days, two each in June, July, and August. These classes are excellent for families to enjoy whether you are a parent or grandparent. Visit our website to see our up to date calendar of events. We look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!

Photo Credit: Chad Phelps

MCCOY FAMILY TREE FARM

WHEN WALTER MCCOY BOUGHT LAND IN CRAWFORD COUNTY IN THE 1950S, HE IMMEDIATELY GOT TO WORK PLANTING TREES. WALTER, HIS WIFE KATHRYN, AND THEIR CHILDREN PLANTED THOUSANDS OF TREES ON THEIR PROPERTY, MOSTLY PINES AND SPRUCES, OVER THE COMING DECADES.

As the pines grew, they provided a perfect nursery for the sugar maple, beech, ironwood, and basswood. Carefully planned select harvest further favored these species, and now much of the property is mature northern hardwood forest, like what was present on this landscape prior to widespread European settlement. The McCoy Family Tree Farm is part of the American Tree Farm System, which means they are committed to sustainable forest management not only for timber production, but also for wildlife habitat, water quality, and leaving the land better than they found it.

Located in the aptly named Maple Forest Township, the property is about 100 acres of northern hardwood forests and planted pines. Much like the work HeadWaters Land Conservancy does, forest management is all about the very long term. As the McCoy siblings considered what the future would hold for their family tree farm, they wanted to make sure the forest they have carefully stewarded for nearly 70 years wasn’t lost to development or bad forestry practices. Donating a Conservation Easement to HeadWaters was a way to ensure the property’s forest will remain intact long into the future.

Landowner Janet Himan explained her decision to donate a Conservation Easement.

“Since our parents, Walter T. McCoy Jr. and Kathryn V. McCoy, and we four siblings have owned and been stewards of this property since 1956, we wanted to preserve our parents’ legacy by putting it into a Conservation Easement. In his later years, Dad would always ask us, his four adult children, ‘What are you going to do with this place after we’re gone?’ We are honored to place this beautiful property into a Conservation Easement for all future generations to enjoy, as we have for over 60 years. Dad and Mom would be smiling!”

THANK YOU Sturgeon Society Members!

Board members, Tom and Joy, discussing stewardship.

ON OCTOBER 1ST, MEMBERS OF OUR STURGEON SOCIETY CAME TOGETHER AT TREETOPS RESORT TO CELEBRATE HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY’S CONSERVATION WORK. IT WAS AN EVENING FILLED WITH COMMUNITY AND CONVERSATION. THE GATHERING ALLOWED FOR FRIENDS OLD AND NEW TO CONNECT AROUND THEIR SHARED DEDICATION TO PRESERVING OUR NATURAL LANDSCAPE.

Board Chairperson, Frank Ruswick, welcoming guests.

Julie Rubsam, Executive Director, sharing this years milestones.

Sturgeon Society Members

Allan and Linda Bentz

Allison Short and Gary Short

Aurora Hoobler

Bernard Schupbach

Bill and Charyl Haelewyn

Bill and Pat Duncanson

Charles and Linda Mires

Charlotte Qua

Christine Ambrose

Claudia Fischer and Roger Holliday

Daniel Havens

Darian Wright and Shirley Branch

David and Carol Bricker

David and MaryElaine Billmire

David Fivenson and Mara Miles

David Masud

David Pottinger and Faye

Peterson Pottinger

Dennis and Janet Himan

Donald and Dorothy Peacor

Don and Susan McCoy

Don Inman and Virginia Pierce

Donna King

Doug and Sandra Elser

Douglas and Julie Begick

Dr. Wayne Wahl

Earl Riske Sr.

Erik and Moe Snyder

Ethan Gullickson

Fred and Kathleen Gottschalk

Fred Fuller

Gary Neumann

Gerald and Marlynne Crawford

Gregg and Jane Stecker

Heidi Becker

James and Carolyn Schenden

James and Christine Supina

James and Linda Gregart

James Shinners

Jerry and Darlene Weinrich

JoAnne Baron

Jo Gallico

Julie and Jason Rubsam

Karen Tom

Kenneth and Pamela Werth

Kevin and Sue Townsend

Lanette VanWagenen

Larry and Barbara Moskwa

Lois Jones

Marissa Knox

Mark and Suzanne Ostahowski

Mark Bayer

Marvin and Joyce Stearns

Mary Ensman

Mary Manier

Moritz and Barbara Ziegler

Muriel Straight

Ned Caveney

Nerbi's Sugar Bear Fund

Pat Armstrong Patricia Robinson

Paul and Eileen Schaedig

Paula Ray

Pete and Nancy Mutch

Peter Amar and Mary Fox

Plynn and Karol Shellenbarger

Rev. Roland Schaedig

Rex Schlaybaugh

Robert and Clarice Williams

Robert and Marilyn Marsh

Robert Smith

Ruth Ellen Peng

Stan and Ruthann Mersino

Steven Gardner

Terry and Phyllis Anderson

The Oakley Family

Thomas Gilbert and Marsha Smith

Thomas Schupbach

Vicky Timm

Woollam Foundation

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE STURGEON SOCIETY?

THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR PROPERTY

THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A SINGULAR GIFT OF $10,000 OR MORE

THOSE WHO MAKE A GIFT OF $1,000 OR MORE ANNUALLY

THOSE WHO HAVE HEADWATERS IN THEIR ESTATE PLANS

Thank you

List represents gifts given October 1, 2021October 31, 2022.

$10,000 and up

Stephen and Charlotte Qua

Dennis and Janet Himan

Nerbi's Sugar Bear Fund

$5,000-$9,999

James and Christine Supina

John and Jane Dallas

Lanette VanWagenen

Roseann Comstock

Thomas Schupbach

$1,000-$4,999

Allison Short and Gary Short

Anthony and Margaret Feldhus

Bernard Schupbach

Bill and Debi Anderson

Christine Ambrose

Daniel Havens

David and Carol Bricker

David and MaryElaine Billmire

David Cozad

David Starkey

Don Inman and Virginia Pierce

Doug and Sandra Elser

Frank and Diane Ruswick

Glen and Martha Eberly

Harold and Alinda Wasner

Heidi Becker

James and Carolyn Schenden

James and Linda Gregart

JoAnne Baron

Joseph and Judith Jarecki

Julie and Jason Rubsam

Keith Krause

Kevin and Sue Townsend

Marvin and Joyce Stearns

Michael and Lucy Mang

Moritz and Barbara Ziegler

Nancy Parmenter

Ned Caveney

Rev. Brian and Elizabeth Chace

Robb and Christine Smith

$500-$999

Charles and Judy Crew

Claudia Fischer and Roger Holliday

David Fivenson and Mara Miles

Herbert Bensinger

Jean Barr

Jerry and Linda Smith

Keith and Cathy Martell

Neil and Mary Hodges

Paul and Carol Rose

Pete and Ginny Gustafson

Pete and Nancy Mutch

Rev. Roland Schaedig

Richard and Cookie Wimmer

Woodrow Anderson

$250-$499

Allen Lavigne

Barry Hill

Bob & Ann Eastman

Bob and Bette Jordan

Carol Latsch

Charlotte Farner

Dave and Gloria Walker

Dicran Haidostian

Douglas and Julie Begick

Dr. George and Angelika Hess

Gregg and Jane Stecker

Joe Wirtz

John and Courtney Sullivan

John Walker

Karen Roy

Kenneth and Pamela Werth

Loraine Becker

Margaret Ward

FOR SUPPORTING HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY

Mary and Peter Wellman

Matthew Grunzweig

Michael and Sandra Clark

Rick and Anne Meeks

Scott Winstead

Stacy and Mark Holmen

Tom and Elaine Carlson

William Kusey

Supporters

Andrew Jazdzyk

Anna Weiser

Anthony Barnard

Barbara Ro

Beverly Benjamin

Bill and Charity Steere

Bill and Charyl Haelewyn

Bill and Pat Duncanson

Brad Jensen

Brady Borycki

Bruce Pregler

Carol Stramaglio

Charles and Linda Mires

Chase Parr

Cherie and Al Nutter

Connie Schrieber

Cynthia Taylor

Dan and Cheryl McCormick

Daniel and Susan Schnee

Daniel Barrett

Darlene Higgins

David Tatman

Debra Stieneker

Dennis Olmstead

Diane Navarre and Alan Stachowiak

Dick and Marilyn Bachelor

Don and Cynthia Chilcote

Donald and Dorothy Peacor

Douglas and Patrice Neal

Dr. Andrew Tarkington

Dr. Eduardo and Maria Garcia

Ed and Claudia Kulnis

Elizabeth Milnes

Esther and Michael Ableidinger

Frederick Miller and Grace

Hedemann Hane

Fredrick Heine

Gary and Mary Walther

Gary Neumann

George Haberer

Hudson Holland Jr. and Margaret Holland

James and Barbara Kurbel

James Gardiner

James Peterson

James Shinners

Jan Chapman

Jane Anne and Kurt Ebersole

Janelle Haselhuhn

Janet McBride

Janice Porter

Jean Leonard

Jerry and Francine Rucker

Jerry Boron

Jessica Geiger

Jessica Kane

Jo Gallico

Joe and Betsy Hemming

John Arevalo and Gloria Torello

John Massman

Joseph Stevens

Karl Dunker

Kathleen Fay

Kathlyn Maldegen

Keith Petherick

Ken and Elizabeth Gribble

Kenneth Ide

Kenneth Payette

Kevin and Cathy O'Neil

Larry Kassuba

Leanora Bender

Lisa Anneberg

Lisa Schleicher

Lori and Yale Miller

Lori Beale

Mark Foucher and Carol Marston-Foucher

Mark J. Stoll

Mary and James Porter

Michael and Annette Holbrook

Michael and Beth Benjamin

Michael and Judith Sumeracki

Michele and Jeff Burke

Mike Wisniewski

Montmorency County Conservation Club

Muriel Straight

Nancy Lemmen

Paul Frost

Randy and Sally King

Rex Schlaybaugh

Rick and Betsy Buist

Rick Wilde

Robert and Dale Burnett

Robert and Emily Kemnitz

Robert and June Hill

Robert and Margaret Boshoven

Robert Andrus

Robert Kruch

Rod Hills

Roger and Mary Fechner

Roland and Carol Bernbeck

Rudi and Sandi Edel

Ruth Ellen Peng

Scot and Jilanne Egleston

Shirley Lodewyk

Stan Galehouse

Susan Erhardt

Suzanne Snyder and Trevor Snyder

Tad Randolph

Terry and Ann St Peter

Terry and Regina Lyons

Thomas Gilbert and Marsha Smith

Tim Winslow

Tom Gurd

Tom Lancaster

Tom Zeimet

Toni Stephan

Tracy Bosworth c/o Gahagan

Nature Preserve

Wes and Debra Hills

William Adams

William Houston

William Lichtenwald

William Nash

BUSINESS & ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS

Bill Marsh Ford Gaylord

Meijer

Walmart

Land Trust Alliance

Anglers of the AuSable

North East Michigan

Quality Deer Management

Association

Andy's Heating & AC

Alpine Title & Escrow

BAK Bookkeeping & Marketing

Bennethum's Northern Inn

Bensinger, Cotant & Menkes, PC

Brand Land Surveying

Bulmann Dock & Lift

Cutting Edge Computers

Emmett's Energy

Feeny Grayling

Great Lakes Endurance

Huston Real Estate Inc.

Jay's Sporting Goods and Mark Copeland

M&M Excavating

Pat O'Hara Photography

Paxton Resources LLC

Sheridan Valley Homes

Waste Management

This year would not have been so memorable without the support of local grantors. Thank you for believing in our vision and your ongoing support!

DR. PATRICK J. MCNAMARA FUND OF OTSEGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Work Truck

Photo Credit: Chad Phelps

We

HeadWaters Land Conservancy

110 South Elm Avenue

Gaylord, MI 49735

989-731-0573

www.headwatersconservancy.org

land@headwatersconservancy.org