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HEADWATERS 2022
Staff & Board Staff
Julie Rubsam Executive Director
Libby Benjamin Director of Conservation
Dianne Farner
Community Engagement & Development
Rhiannon Erhardt
Stewardship Technician
Board of Directors
Frank Ruswick Chairperson
Virginia Pierce Vice Chairperson
Robb Smith Treasurer
Martha Eberly Secretary
William Anderson
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
The work our organization does today is built on the efforts of yesterday and prepares us to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
The hard work of yesterday set the stage for us to achieve an exciting milestone. HeadWaters Land Conservancy is now protecting acres in all the counties in our 11-county service area. In the pages ahead, you will read about our latest conservation easements. One of these CEs is located in Iosco County. Our first in this county! After 29 years of steady commitment to our mission, this is truly something to celebrate.
While we may not know the exact challenges we will face in the future, we know we will need passionate individuals ready to meet them. This summer, we started a new program, Forest School Friday, aimed at creating fun and engaging environmental education opportunities for the children in our community and their families. These kids were inquisitive, bold, smart, and so much fun. Hearing one of the young girls participating in our program say she wants to grow up and be just like us was an amazing feeling! Inspiring the next generation of conservationists is an
important part of the work we do today to prepare for the future.
Thank you for helping us accomplish the hard work of today needed to create better tomorrows.
A FAREWELL TO RHIANNON ERHARDT
Please join us in wishing Rhiannon Erhardt well as she leaves HeadWaters to explore new opportunities. This year, Rhi has served as HeadWaters’ Stewardship Technician. She dove into this position with a lot of passion and drive. Rhi stepped in and took the lead on our stewardship activities, conservation easement monitoring program, hunt program and volunteer workdays. Her contributions to the organization gave us the opportunity to install property signs at many of our properties, complete long overdue stewardship activities at our Dault preserve, and streamlined our monitoring program. It has been an absolute pleasure to have her as part of our team. She will be missed!
Best Wishes Rhi!
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Organization Updates
Celebrating 29 years of land preservation in Northeastern Michigan!
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This July, we celebrated our 29th year of HeadWaters with a celebration at the Sturgeon River Nature Preserve in Otsego County. Staff and members enjoyed a gorgeous summer afternoon lounging in hammocks, fishing the river, and talking about the future of the organization. As we move into our 30th year, we look forward to more projects, more protected land, and welcoming more preservation minded individuals into our cause. Every one of our members, volunteers, partners, and staff has helped us reach this milestone, we want to thank everyone that for taking part in our journey.
The 9th annual Clay Shoot was held on August 13th. We saw many familiar faces who joined us to promote land protection in Northeastern Michigan. We appreciate everyone that helped put the event together, as well as our dedicated business sponsors. Thank you all for supporting our work!
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Forest School FRIDAYS
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This July, Headwaters staff implemented a new outreach series for kids. We took four Fridays in July and held subject specific Forest School sessions. According to the Forest School Association, “Forest School is a childcentered inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.”
We chose four subjects that would be educational and engaging. The kids were provided journals to document their experiences for every session.
GEOCACHING AND ORIENTEERING
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On July 8, 2022, I had the absolute pleasure of kicking off our new Forest School Friday educational series with an amazing group of kids. We gathered at HeadWaters’ Big Lake Nature Preserve for a session on orienteering and geocaching. I led the kids through a tutorial on maps, compass use, and utilizing land structures to help identify locations on the map. Once compasses and maps were distributed, three groups set out to find a series of waypoints placed across the property. Working together, each group was successful in locating all three of their route waypoints. It was great to see the kids fearlessly traversing the woodlands.
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Next, we gathered to talk about the global treasure hunt known as geocaching before we deployed the first ever cache at Big Lake. We specifically chose a cache container that would be ideal for swapping swag and trackables, which are fun items that can be tracked as they move from cache to cache
- JULIE RUBSAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORNATURE JOURNALING AND WOODLAND ART MAKING
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Friday July 15th our crew of woodsy kids changed venues to the Sturgeon River Preserve. The children were encouraged to gather building supplies for our new fairy trail. The forest is a great place to forage for three dimensional art and this exercise encourages creativity, teamwork, and visioning. We supplied a few items to include in their fairy structures, fairies need friends after all! Some chose to team up and make an entire fairy fortress while others chose to make small scale huts, we even had a lemonade stand. A few assisted me in erecting a wall of woven sticks and moss between two trees. At the end of the session I encouraged everyone to sit on the boardwalk and reflect on the experience through nature journaling.
I grew up in northern Michigan swamps and hardwoods. Spending an entire day making forts and traversing bogs was a main staple of my childhood. I love to be in a position to offer similar experiences to the community. Forest
School Fridays is the perfect vehicle for our organization to bring kids back to the original classroom.
DIANNE FARNER, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
RIVER LIFE
On Friday, July 22nd the 3rd installment of forest school took place along the banks of the Sturgeon River at the Headwaters’ Sturgeon River Preserve.
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We taught the kids all about river features like pools and riffles, then measured the temperature and pH of the Sturgeon! Sam Cornelius, Kids Outdoors Otsego cofounder, and I waded in with nets and collected macroinvertebrates from the sites the
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students selected. Using tweezers, syringes, and magnifying glasses the small scientists caught and identified scuds (side-swimmers), aquatic worms, snail shells, midge larvae, stonefly larvae, mayfly larvae, dobsonfly larvae, and water striders!
They were excited to learn that finding Stonefly larvae indicates a healthy river. Afterwards we went back to the trailhead, where students colored fish hats to take home, and took a quick hike to check on last week’s fairy garden.
It was wonderful to be able to show the students what a healthy, functioning river ecosystem looks like and how preserving land like the Sturgeon River Preserve helps keep it that way.
LIBBY BENJAMIN, DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION
PLANT IDENTIFICATION
On the last Friday of July, I went out to the Sturgeon River Preserve to host
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the final Forest School Friday of 2022.I created a bingo sheet with photos of objects and plants from around the preserve – including some of the familiar faces in the fairy garden- for the kids to find and cross out. They had a great time spotting pieces of nature on and off the list!
They also built off their knowledge from the other sessions of forest school; they found both geocaches at the Sturgeon, they brought their nature journals, and they told me all about river macroinvertebrates.
It was so rewarding to see kids who really enjoy being outside and will keep that enjoyment as they grow up.
It was a great way to close out our Forest School!
RHI
ERHARDT, STEWARDSHIP TECHNICIAN
Forest School was a great success and will return in 2023 with new subjects and locations!
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Land Updates
DRENGBERG-SHELLENBARGER CONSERVATION EASEMENT
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Situated along M-65 in Iosco County, Plynn and Karol Shellnbarger’s Lone Hickory Farm is a landmark just north of Hale, Michigan. The farm was started by Karol’s parents, Herman and Valgean Drengberg, in the mid-1940s. The farm was left to Karol and her three siblings; Plynn and Karol worked hard through the years so they could keep as much of the family farm together as possible. Plynn and Karol donated a Conservation Easement (CE) on their 232-acre farm, ensuring it can continue to be farmed for generations to come.
The farm is named after the large hickory tree near the center of the property, and with a few scattered saplings around the base there will likely be more hickory trees in the
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future. Plynn and Karol’s eldest son lives on the farm, and Plynn is there every day to take care of the cattle and do chores. Plynn dug a large pond on the property, where 3 generations of the family now enjoy swimming, fishing, and relaxing.
Over half the property is agricultural land consisting of hay fields, pastures, and planted pines and spruces, while the rest is forested. The soils are considered “prime farmland” and is situated at the headwaters of Smith Creek and Hale Creek, tributaries of the Au Gres River. The family loves driving the two-tracks through the property, appreciating wildflowers and all the different trees. The DrengbergShellenbarger Conservation Easement is HWLC’s first in Iosco County; we have now preserved land in all 11
counties in our service area. We are hopeful Plynn and Karol’s generous Conservation Easement donation will encourage others to preserve their farmland.
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EASEMENT
What Fern Gully Means to Us
CHRISTINE AMBROSEIremember seeing and walking the property as a young girl for the first time with my parents and sisters. The Red, Spruce and Scot’s pine stands had recently been planted by the boy scouts. A local bee keeper tended a couple of hives in one of the fields. Flott Lake glistened blue and cool. The air so crisp and fresh, the great north woods stretching before us mysterious and inviting. So much to discover and explore….we took off running through the forest ahead of our parents like joyful wild animals.
Growing up, our parents dearly loved nature, wilderness and wild things. It was an integral part of them and of our lives. Our property, its lush north woods and resident critters was a haven of unspoiled wilderness/ nature for us, a “cathedral in the wild.” Conserving/protecting the property was imperative to us.
The HWLC helped guide us through the process of placing our treasured property into a conservation easement. There was much to consider and we were in capable hands. Their personal attention, knowledge, hard work, genuine sincerity, consideration,
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patience and commitment to conserving Michigan’s natural resources was impressive. We are grateful for the time they spent with us going over documents, explaining the process. Best of all, we so enjoyed stomping around the property together identifying plants and animals. We learned a lot and it was fun!
As my sister (Heidi) and I sit in basecamp overlooking Flott Lake there is a natural peace in the air. A cool breeze drifts up the hill, a female Painted Turtle crawls by us to lay her eggs, in the distance a Ruffed Grouse drums its wings, a goofy Woodcock scampers by, and the haunting call of a Pied-billed Grebe floats in the air from the lake.
We still joyfully run through the woods, marvel at the flora and fauna, explore and find new wonders. It is deeply gratifying to know the beauty, diversity and wildness of the property will forever be protected. It is a legacy to our parent’s deep abiding love of nature, and it is our gift to the natural realm and future generations, both human and critters.
Stewardship UPDATES
BY RHIANNON ERHARDTHESS NATURE PRESERVE
On June 10th, Rhi and a few volunteers headed up to Hess Nature Preserve in Presque Isle County to hand pull invasive Spotted Knapweed. While there, they also installed the main sign with an attached boot brush to help prevent the spread of invasive species into the wetland. Later that summer on another visit, it was reported that only two Spotted Knapweed plants were growing on the beach side of the preserve! Our continued efforts to pull the weed these past two years are paying off! By preventing the Spotted Knapweed from taking over, we are leaving space and resources for valuable native species like the state-threatened Houghton’s Goldenrod to grow and flourish.
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BIG LAKE NATURE PRESERVE
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On June 27th, HWLC staff went to Big Lake Nature Preserve in Gaylord for a work day. We put in our main sign and a boot brush. We also picked up a truckload of garbage from in and around the bog and along the road. There are many creatures that call this little 8 acre preserve home, our efforts will create a cleaner environment for them to thrive.
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DAULT NATURE PRESERVE
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A wild cedar swamp with many hidden treasures, our Dault Nature Preserve lays across from Grand Lake in Presque Isle County. On August 4th the Grand Lake homeowners showed up in force to help us pull layers of old yard waste out of the roadside stream and marsh. While yard waste does eventually breakdown, it can be harmful to throw cut grass and tree boughs into a wetland because they suffocate the native plants that would normally grow there. We saw
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evidence of this in the one spot that had been previously cleared, the stream was flowing freely and many swamp milkweed plants were growing where previously there was only layers of old tree branches. With the help of our Grand Lake volunteers, we cleaned up the rest of the roadside. There was also an old dump pile that was cleaned up as well. Then at the end of the work day we put up the main sign and boot brush. A big thank you to the Grand Lake community, we couldn’t have done it without you!
STURGEON RIVER PRESERVE
On July 1st, HeadWaters staff headed out to the Sturgeon River Preserve in Gaylord for a trail work day. We weed wacked the trails to prepare them for forest school in July (see page 4). We also installed a full boot brush station (from PlayCleanGo) to educate visitors about invasive species and how they spread, and providing a way to clean their hiking shoes before and after a hike.
LUNEACK NATURE PRESERVE
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Big things are happening at our largest property, Luneack Nature Preserve, in Comins. Our trail mapping project is finally complete! On July 14th, our trails were fully cleared with help from a neighbor and volunteer, then on July 21st staff and a couple volunteers went back to put our main sign in, and put our maps up on the trail posts that were installed in April. Our new trail will be fully cleared by September 17th for our ribbon cutting event!
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Sturgeon Society
OUR FIRST ANNUAL STURGEON SOCIETY EVENT IS COMING UP OCTOBER 1ST AT TREETOPS RESORT
We are excited to celebrate the Sturgeon Society and their commitment to the success of our organization!
CURIOUS ABOUT THE STURGEON SOCIETY?
Sturgeon Society members are donors who:
Have donated one single gift of $10,000 or more
Donated a conservation easement or a property to HWLC
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Has HWLC in their Estate Plan
Have made an annual gift of a $1,000 or more
OCTOBER 21, 2022
6PM – 9PM
Jack’ O’Lantern Walk MEMBERS ONLY
The Sturgeon Preserve trail will be lined with pumpkins carved by the public. Come take an evening fall walk and vote on the best pumpkin. Friday night is for members only.
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Contact HWLC to become a member!
SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
12PM – 3PM
Luneack Trail Head Ribbon Cutting
Join Headwaters in unveiling the Luneack Nature Preserve trail head. HWLC’s newest trail is ready for visitors! (Dogs are not allowed on the property.)
Kenneth R. Luneack Nature Preserve Perch Lake Road Comins, MI
OCTOBER 1, 2022
4PM-6PM
Sturgeon Society Donor Event
Sturgeon Society Members will receive invitations.
OCTOBER 13, 2022
6PM – 9PM
UPCOMING events
Estate Planning Event with Old Mission Investment Co.
Chris Lamb with OMICO will be leading a discussion on best practices for estate planning involving nonprofits.
Chester Township Hall 1737 Big Lake Road Gaylord, MI 49735
RSVP Required.
Treetops Resort Gaylord, MI
OCTOBER 22, 2022
6PM – 9PM
Jack’ O’Lantern Walk
The Sturgeon Preserve trail will be lined with pumpkins carved by the public. Come take an evening fall walk and vote on the best pumpkin.
Sturgeon River Preserve 3749 Whitmarsh Road
Vanderbilt, MI
HeadWaters Land Conservancy
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110 South Elm Avenue
Gaylord, MI 49735
989-731-0573
www.headwatersconservancy.org
land@headwatersconservancy.org
“I just wanted to share my gratitude with you all for putting on the Forest School Fridays program. The kids (and I) loved it and learned a lot. I know it takes a lot of time and planning for you all to make this happen and I’m so thankful you did! The kids will never forget it! Your work matters!”
- JANELLE HASELHUHN