In 1908, James R. Offield married Dorothy Wrigley, daughter of William Wrigley, the founder of the chewing gum empire. James was a devoted outdoorsman, especially fond of fly fishing, and eventually owned a cabin on the Manistee River. In Wisconsin, he donated a large tract of land to be used by boy scouts, and over the decades, the Wrigley and Offield families became increasingly involved in conservation throughout the country. One of the family’s most significant conservation accomplishments was the formation of the Catalina Island Conservancy that today protects 80% of the famous island off the coast of southern California, a total of 48,000 acres and 55 miles of shoreline.

James R. Offield

It wasn’t just coincidence that the Catalina Island Conservancy was created in 1972, the very same year Little Traverse Conservancy was founded. By that time, three generations of the Offield family had summered on Harbor Point in Harbor Springs. “For Catalina Island, our family was exploring all the possible ways we could ensure the land was protected for all time, the way we wanted it to be,” said Packy Offield, great grandson of William Wrigley. “We wanted to guarantee that it would be protected forever, and to do so, our family felt that establishing a local land trust was the best way to go.” Packy’s father, Wrigley “Bud” Offield, was one of the driving forces behind the start of Little Traverse Conservancy. “I’m certain that the lessons they were learning on Catalina Island were also applied to northern Michigan,” Packy said.

“Bud Offield isn’t technically considered a founding member of LTC, but he was there from early on,” said John Fischer, one of Little Traverse Conservancy’s founding members. “He didn’t like the pomp and attention brought on by his family name, and was more likely to be the one behind the scenes, making things happen,” Fischer said.

One of the most significant impacts the Offields had on the young Conservancy was in 1980 when Bud and eddi Offield donated a 40-acre nature preserve to the Conservancy. That property is now known as the Round Lake Preserve and the Offields helped underwrite the expenses involved with moving the Conservancy’s office to its current location adjacent to the preserve. Bud was also instrumental in the development of the L’Arbre Croche Association located next to the Petoskey State Park, ensuring that the homes blended with nature and allowed for a scenic buffer from the road. Between 1984-86, L’Arbre Croche Association members in turn made significant contributions to the purchase of the expanding Round Lake Nature Preserve. Today, the preserve consists of 58 acres and includes nearly 1/2 a mile of frontage on Round Lake, home to nesting loons. It is one of the most popular field trip destinations for local schools.

brothers Packy and Jim Offield

“Bud Offield was part of our initial committee that set up the Gateway to Harbor Springs program,” recalls Fischer. “Our primary goal was to conserve as much green space as possible along the stretch of M-119 from the Harbor Springs airport into Harbor Springs. He helped us work with landowners along that stretch and today, that drive is virtually free of commercial development.
It really defines the entrance into town.”

Years later, Bud’s sons, Packy and Jim, continued the momentum created by their father by helping the Conservancy establish the Harbor Springs Greenbelt Program. Through this program, outlying lands around Harbor Springs were prioritized for protection, as opportunities arose.

“From the start, the property owned by the Stebbins was considered the highest priority,” Jim said. “This is the back way into Harbor, and it is incredible to know that it will stay the way it is,” agreed Packy.

The Offields have traveled the world and yet - like it does for so many of us - this region holds a place in their hearts. “We’ve had the best of it,” Jim said. “It just feels like we are obliged to do what we can to make sure others get as much as possible.”

So the next time you drive along M-119 between Petoskey and Harbor Springs or enjoy the new nature preserve or one of the preserves mentioned below, give thanks for the good fortune that this region has enjoyed of having people like the Offields help us all care for it.