Smart Growth: Expanding Protected Properties
Posted on April 30, 2019
Find Article HERE.
Ever wondered what kinds of things we look for when we are considering acquiring a new piece of land to protect? You’d be correct if you are thinking of ecological value, important plant and/or animal habitat, or potential for outdoor recreation. Those are all very important elements. One factor you may not have thought about is: is it next to an existing protected property?
If the answer is yes, the potential acquisition jumps up on our priority list. Why? Because adding adjacent land to properties already under protection allows larger contiguous areas for wildlife to call home, provides additional space for native flora to flourish, increases public access, and can even bridge a gap between protected lands, creating what we call a “greenway” that we can potentially expand even further in the future.
A great example of this is our recent acquisition of 12 acres next to Burns Prairie Preserve, allowing us to double the size of the existing preserve. Located on Mount Zion Road in Galien Township, Burns Prairie Preserve features prairie, wetlands and woodland. After a successful restoration undertaken in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serve, the prairie boasts native grasses, and in the summer, an abundance of wildflowers in bloom.
And now there’s potential to expand Burns Prairie even further, by acquiring up to 30 acres just to the north of the new addition. This would create a 55-acre protected natural area, providing expanded habitat for wildlife like grassland birds, and the opportunity to improve public access for outdoor recreation. We are currently seeking funding to help us further increase the size of Burns Prairie Preserve. If you’d like to help, contact our office at col@chikamingopenlands.org or (269) 405-1006.