FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alberto Moriondo
Chairman, Citizens for Conservation Land Preservation Committee
847.877.6886

 

Eleven-Acre Land Donation Expands CFC’s
Flint Creek Savanna South Property

 

LAKE BARRINGTON, IL -- Citizens for Conservation (CFC) today announced that it is expanding its Flint
Creek Savanna South property as a result of the donation by the Barrington Bank & Trust of a parcel of
approximately eleven acres of open space formerly known as “Lot 2 of the Boulder Ridge Subdivision”
located along Northwest Highway in Lake Barrington. CFC had been working for a number of years with
the previous owner to secure this parcel. When Barrington Bank & Trust took possession of the property
in 2010, CFC immediately reached out to the bank's senior management to work out a win-win
partnership that would preserve such an important groundwater recharge location, as identified by the
Flint Creek Watershed Partnership.

CFC’s Land Preservation Chairman Alberto Moriondo stated, “We are very pleased with the partnership
with Barrington Bank & Trust that enabled us to expand the size of our Flint Creek Savanna South
preserve to almost twenty acres under CFC management. From the very beginning, it was clear that the
Bank shared CFC’s mission of protecting natural lands and was committed to giving back to the
community. This latest addition furthers CFC’s goal of creating a “natural corridor” along Flint Creek and
beyond.”

Barrington Bank & Trust CEO Brad Stetson said, “We are happy to partner with CFC and see that our
donation will go to an organization that is the recognized land steward in the Barrington area.
Barrington Bank & Trust is a big believer of reinvesting in the community and this partnership with CFC
aligns with our mission and core values, ensuring that the parcel will be restored it to its natural
condition and preserved in perpetuity.”

Since 2005, CFC has been successful in securing over 50 acres of open space in the Barrington area, both directly and by working with private and local government entities. It recently partnered with the Village of Lake Barrington to acquire a 30-acre parcel formerly known as the Gibbs property and subsequently purchased 8.5 acres from the Village in two separate transactions. CFC retains a 20-year option to purchase the entire property. CFC believes that current market conditions are very favorable for land preservation and is committed to continue expanding its natural lands initiatives.

About Citizens for Conservation

Citizens for Conservation has been a leading environmental steward of the Barrington area for the last forty years. Incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1971, it currently has 374 acres under management and has helped protect over 3,000 acres in the BACOG area since its founding. CFC acquires land for preservation and restoration while also providing both adult and children’s education to local communities. Its cutting-edge restorations provide habitat for threatened species of plants and animals such as the sandhill crane, and its educational outreach provides residents with programs about native plants, water conservation, pollinators, coyotes, deer, and other subjects of local interest. Each day CFC volunteers live the organization’s mission of Saving Living Space for Living Things through protection, restoration and stewardship of land, conservation of natural resources and education.” For more information please visit www.citizensforconservation.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rob Aldrich
Director of Communications
202-431-8848 | raldrich@lta.org
http://www.lta.org/rally

Leaders Gather to Plan the Future of Private Land Conservation

 

Washington, D.C. – The Land Trust Alliance today announced that the nation’s largest annual gathering of land conservation leaders will meet this fall in Milwaukee, WI, October 13-16, to celebrate land conservation in America.  Rally 2011: The National Land Conservation Conference is expected to draw more than 1,500 conservation leaders, government officials and academics.

“People in the Midwest have a great appreciation for the land and the gifts it offers.  From the bluffs of the mighty Mississippi to the tall grass prairies, and from the forested lands and farms to Lake Michigan’s scenic landscapes, communities are uniting to save the places that give meaning to our lives,” said Land Trust Alliance President Rand Wentworth.  “This commitment prioritizes the protection of clean air, clean water, wildlife, and places to explore close to home.”

Land trusts are local, state or nationwide nonprofits whose mission is to conserve land in its natural or traditional state, including farming and ranching, through voluntary agreements with landowners.  According to the latest numbers collected by the Alliance, more than 50 land trusts in Wisconsin have protected a total of 52,696 acres.

“We selected Milwaukee this year to honor the strong urban conservation ethic in this region, and also to give our supporters a chance to enjoy the state’s diverse beauty,” said Wentworth. Milwaukee features Frederick Law Olmsted's extraordinary urban parks system, and the city has made additional investments in creating green, livable and eco-friendly communities. With the Olmsted parks and an incredible network of Milwaukee County parks – as well as the celebrated urban gardens and their advancement of the local foods movement – it is on the forefront of conservation success.

The first of this year’s keynote speakers, Will Allen, has been named to Time magazine’s 2010 100 World’s Most Influential People list. He is the founder and CEO of Growing Power Inc., and is a preeminent thinker on urban agriculture and food policy. He has been invited to the White House to join First Lady Michelle Obama in her “Let’s Move” signature program, and he works tirelessly to train and support community farmers to ensure a local source of healthy food regardless of political or economic status.

Rally will also feature a keynote address from Will Rogers, CEO of the Trust for Public Land (TPL).  An innovator in urban redevelopment projects as well as the conservation of remote and inspirational wildlands, Will leads TPL in its mission to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come.

Rally seminars, workshops and speakers will address national conservation trends, cutting-edge practices of land conservation and best professional standards for land trusts.  More than 110 workshops and 26 seminars are scheduled. 

MEDIA INVITED: Keynote speeches are open to representatives of the media.  To attend other workshops, trainings, field trips or seminars, registration is required.  Inquire at the registration desk at the Frontier Airlines Center, or contact Peshie Chaifetz, Communications Manager, at pchaifetz@lta.org | 301-502-9245.

About the Land Trust Alliance
The Land Trust Alliance is a national conservation organization that works in three ways to save the places people love.  First, we increase the pace of conservation, so more land and natural resources get protected.  Second, we enhance the quality of conservation, so the most important lands get protected using the best practices in the business.  And third, we ensure the permanence of conservation by providing resources needed to defend protected land over time. The Land Trust Alliance is based in Washington, D.C. Visit www.landtrustalliance.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ty Ratliff
Little Traverse Conservancy
Land Protection Specialist
(231) 344-1005 | ty@landtrust.org

 

 

“The Hill” Nature Preserve Donated in Boyne City

 

HARBOR SPRINGS, MI -- For more than 50 years, the beauty of northern Michigan, the love of adventure and a special piece of property have woven three families together.

During the 1960s, ski trips to Boyne Mountain first brought the Herzog brothers — Gene and John — as well as their friend and fellow orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lou Mrstik, to Boyne City. “I immediately bought a home,” Mrstik says. “We were eager to enjoy the ‘up north’ and we did just that.” The Herzogs also bought a shared home and a lifetime of trips to northern Michigan was started.

Soon after their first visit, the three men began searching for a piece of property they could share. The main requirement was that it have a hill, and, in 1966, they discovered and purchased the old Grunow Farm. Located on the north end of town, the land includes a great variety of features, most notably beautiful panoramic views of Lake Charlevoix. “This was where the men could truly relax and take a break,” said Ruth Herzog, John’s wife.      
As children came along and the families began creating traditions tied to the property, they fell more deeply in love with the region during all of its seasons. Lou and Gene started an annual task of planting trees. “This actually became our job,” laughs Jackie Malloy, Lou’s daughter, recalling how the men would send the kids off with hundreds of seedlings and a shovel. It is a ritual the kids still tease their fathers about because most of the seedlings died the first couple of years until they realized they should be planted in furrows. Trees were planted in the shape of a peace sign one year and spelled out “Big Lou” another year, all clearly visible from the air. An “O” circle of pines still stands out today. John planted a vineyard on the hillside and harvesting and processing grapes became an annual event for all three families. Variations of a garden waxed and waned over the years. Today the vineyard and garden are still an almost daily destination for John and Lou during the seasons when they reside below it on the lake.

Over the years, dozens of special family events and gatherings with friends were held at the land that was now commonly referred to as “The Hill.” “Jackie puts a book together for each of the kids’ graduations and they all include memories from The Hill,” Lou said.      

In 1996, the families donated a conservation easement to Little Traverse Conservancy protecting 106 acres of the property adjacent to the vineyard and garden. This year, the land was donated to Little Traverse Conservancy to become a permanent nature preserve. “We’re getting up in years and it was time to give the land away,” said Lou.

A Community Gem

In addition to the topography of the land, The Hill Preserve includes a nice diversity of both pines and hardwoods within its boundaries. Apple trees have risen from the seeds of the old farm orchard and lilac bushes reveal the old farmstead.

“The primary concern with this preserve right now is that there is very limited parking,” said Doug Fuller, director of stewardship. “But it is currently open to the public and is an excellent destination for hiking.” The Conservancy is working with the county to explore other options for parking along Old Horton Bay Road. For a map and directions to The Hill Preserve, visit www.landtrust.org and scroll to the story on the main page.

About Little Traverse Conservancy

Since 1972, the Little Traverse Conservancy has been working as the oldest regional, non-profit land trust in Michigan. With the support of more than 4,100 members, the Little Traverse Conservancy works with private landowners and units of local government to permanently protect ecologically significant and scenic lands from development. Since it was founded, nearly 41,000 acres and 106 miles of shoreline along our region’s lakes, rivers, and streams have been set aside to remain in their natural state within Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, and Chippewa counties. In addition, more than 5,000 young people participate in a Conservancy environmental education outing every year. For more information about the Little Traverse Conservancy and land protection options for your land, please contact their office at 231.347.0991 or visit www.landtrust.org.  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Citizens for Conservation
Email: cfc@CitizensforConservation.org

 

Campaign Launched to Remove Invasive

 

BARRUNGTON, IL -- Barrington area communities have been overrun by some nasty invasive plants, both shrubs and non-woody weeds. Citizens for Conservation (CFC) is doing something about it. With a grant from Barrington Area Community Foundation, CFC has launched an area-wide campaign to rid properties of these aggressive plants. CFC volunteers have contributed many hours over the years to eliminating obnoxious weeds and woody plants in our prairies, wetlands and woodlands, and now they're are asking homeowners and municipalities to join the campaign.

Some of the really bad invasives are garlic mustard, buckthorn, reed canary grass, teasel, common reed and dame's rocket. CFC’s Community Education Committee has produced flyers that show what these look like in various stages of growth, explain why they are noxious, and tell how to eliminate them from your properties. CFC volunteers who are experienced in eradicating invasives are also available to visit residential and municipal properties to identify these weeds and advise on removal procedures. The flyers and/or on-site visits are available to anyone willing to participate in our invasives removal campaign, including homeowners and municipalities. The flyers are available to download. Call CFC at 847-382-SAVE to make an appointment for a yard visit.

In addition CFC has created a short video demonstrating removal techniques of some of these invasives. Community Education members are available to show this video and discuss the problem of these invasives at meetings of interested organizations such as homeowners associations, garden clubs, etc, on request.

These extremely invasive species of plants are taking over our beautiful yards, countryside and roadsides. Invasive alien species crowd out the desirable native plants, drive away the birds and butterflies that depend on the natives, and reduce biodiversity, creating a monoculture of undesirable plants. Additionally, they are often ugly!  Just look at dense stands of buckthorn along roadways, in park areas or even in your yard. It will take a concerted community effort to make a difference against these plant bullies, and we encourage your participation. CFC thanks the Barrington community for their help!

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