Fundraising for property conservancy near goal

CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP — The Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy has been raising funds to purchase and develop public nature trails near the mouth of the Chocolay River, and are nearly at their goal.

The 14 acre property is on the east side of the Chocolay Bayou between Main Street and the Iron Ore North Country Trail. The property has been for sale the last few years. After a developer expressed interest in turning it into a residential area, a conversation between bird watchers and other nature lovers, a decision to acquire the property for public use and limited development arose.

“Over the past year we’ve been working on this,” said Chocolay Raptor Center Co–Founder Jerry Maynard, “as an ad–hoc steering committee. Spearheaded by UP Land Conservancy and close to other twenty organizations. We’re very close to having the money we need to acquire the property at which point owned by the UP Land Conservancy and will be designated as a nature preserve.”

Thanks to a federal grant of $100,000 and around 20 different organizations, over 85% of the required funds have been reached. The total amount of $175,000 must be reached before May 9th.

To learn more or to donate, click here.

Photo Courtesy: Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy