NAPP News

NAPP News
Natural Areas Preservation Program
Total Land Protected: 1,332 acres
Administered by WCPARC since 2001

The acreage of land protected through Washtenaw Countys Natural Areas Preservation Program continues to grow, with 243 acres preserved so far in 2008. In southwest Dexter Township, the Commission acquired 217 acres on the south side of West Lake. Seventy-six of those acres were purchased from the State in March, at just over $1,000 per acre! Happily for County residents (people, critters, and plants alike) this land was considered non-essential to the mission and management purposes of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Purchase of an additional 141 acres adjacent to the former State-owned land was completed in April. All in all, the new 217-acre West Lake Preserve is a wonderful addition to the program and includes a wide range of habitats from wetland, open water, shoreline to upland forest and open fields.

The Commission was also fortunate to add 26 acres to the Riverbend Preserve (formerly referred to as the Griewahn Property), located on the River Raisin in Bridgewater Township. With the newly protected land, purchased from the Grzesiak family in February, the preserve now totals 43 acres.