To the Conservancy, the protection of this land represents one of the highest of many conservation summits that have been reached thanks to the generosity, foresight, and commitment of people like the Offield family and the Stebbins family from which it was purchased.

With thousands of feet of road frontage on Quick, Hedrick, and Hathaway roads, the new preserve will maintain scenic routes that have been enjoyed by travelers for decades. A deeper exploration of the land reveals quality wildlife habitat as well as a beautiful diversity of natural features that include hardwood and pine forests, a boggy area, an old orchard, and vernal (Spring) pools. “We were pleasantly surprised to discover the diversity of habitats at this property,” said Cindy Mom, stewardship specialist for the Conservancy.

FIRST A FARM...NEVER A DEVELOPMENT
For many years in the middle of the 1900s, much of the property was part of Crowl’s Fruit Farm. Located along the “fruit ridge” that benefits from a microclimate created by its proximity to the bay, the Crowls maintained a farm stand along Hathaway Road. Neighbors, including the Bango family who have lived next to the new preserve for 40 years, are thankful that the property did not become a golf course development. This never happened, thanks to C. Rowland (Rolly) Stebbins entering the picture in the 1960s.
Stebbins, a realtor from Lansing whose family has summered at Roaring Brook since 1902, dearly loved northern Michigan. An avid outdoorsman, he was well known in the Lansing area for his fierce protection and enhancement of the Grand River.

Top photo: Rolly Stebbins; Bottom photo: trails at the new preserve.

Stebbins first began acquiring land in Emmet County in 1944 when he purchased 80 acres so he could enjoy berry picking and scavenging for wood. His married life was cut short when his wife, Virginia, died of multiple sclerosis at age 45. Yet their three sons — Winston, Malcolm, and Kenyon — were raised in the same tradition and love for the outdoors. Much of the land Stebbins purchased was within a short distance of the ski hills. “Dad always enjoyed skiing and spent 13 years walking up the (ski) hills before the first rope tow was invented,” Kenyon said. Five separate purchases were assembled to create the parcel now protected as a preserve.

In the early 1970s, Stebbins served on Little Traverse Conservancy’s founding board. For more than 40 years, the Stebbins family has held onto this land, with the shared hope that someday it would be owned by the Conservancy. Stebbins planted pine seedlings on the open acreage, enrolled the land in the state’s Commercial Forest Act (CFA) program, and followed best management practices over the years. Now as a nature preserve, the property will remain in the CFA program.

“Coming up with a comprehensive plan to protect the natural resources on this wonderful, big new preserve — yet at the same time utilizing its tremendous potential for wildland recreation — will be a high priority for us over the next couple years,” said Director of Stewardship Doug Fuller.

“The education staff is excited about using this new preserve for education programs as well,” said Melissa Hansen, Conservancy education specialist. “We are evaluating which programs will work there beginning next school year.” The Conservancy will be offering field trips to the preserve this summer and during the annual meeting.