The Oliver and Edna Birge Preserve
Clark Township, Mackinac County

by former Land Protection Specialist Doug Robinson
The first time I met Oliver was at a Les Cheneaux Steering Committee meeting back in January of this year. He and his wife Edna were there, but I didn’t know why. At first I was confused to see them since they weren’t on my committee, but after a brief introduction and moment of eye contact, I was afraid he would leave before I had an opportunity to talk to him. As with most people new to the Les Cheneaux Area, it didn’t take long before the name Oliver Birge came up in a variety of my conversations; most of them about boats of some other outdoor activity. I first learned of him in July of 1991 as I was assuming the responsibilities of Land Protection Specialist for the Les Cheneaux Island Protection Program which was entering its second year. Yes, Oliver Birge sounded like a very interesting man and I wanted to meet him.

Then, on that day in January, the opportunity presented itself, but I wasn’t ready. There was a meeting scheduled and people were anxious to begin. Here was the man I had heard so many great things about, who had done so many exciting things and I couldn’t even talk to him. By now I had learned that Oliver was mildly interested in learning more about conservation easements. I asked him if I could send him some information and call him to schedule a meeting. Oliver’s reply was something like, “yeah, we can meet, but I’m not guaranteeing anything. Do you drink coffee?”

In February, during one of the few significant snow storms of the season, I headed north to meet with Oliver and his wife at their home. The driving was marginal “below the bridge,” but as I crossed over the Straits and continued toward Hessel it worsened. Turning off M-134 onto Point Brulee Road I decided it was time to take advantage of the four-wheel-drive. The snow was a solid foot deep and there had been no traffic since early morning. Upon arriving, I parked the truck on the “main” road, and mushed through the deep snow up the driveway.

Edna greeted me at the door with her ever present warm smile and northern hospitality. Oliver entered from another room and said gruffly, “you’re late!” followed by a youthful grin in spite of his years. He was right, I was ten minutes late. The three of us sat around the kitchen table (in this business most of the important discussions are held there) drinking coffee, talking about the storm and finally more interesting topics like gold mining in the West, sailing on the big ships, surveying, art school in St. Louis, etc. The list goes on, but nothing was mentioned about conservation easements of land protection. Finally, after about forty-five minutes and without warning Oliver asked, “How permanent is this?” I tried to remember quickly where I had left my boots because I thought it wouldn’t be long before I needed them. Shaken, but trying to remain calm I replied, “Well, it’s pretty permanent. Once you do it, you can’t just change your mind and undo it.” Somehow my choice of words didn’t sound very reassuring, even to me. “That’s good,” responded Oliver, “that’s what I wanted to hear.” I forgot about my boots and started to relax.

We talked about conservation easements and land protection for about fifteen minutes. No, an easement didn’t really interest Oliver, nor did it accomplish what he had in mind for his property. He mentioned that “she” (Edna) wouldn’t let him go to the woods and cut firewood any more. I had to agree with Edna. Pushing eighty-five and somewhat short of breath, he might not be the right person to send into the woods with a chain saw. Still, Oliver respected the land, its diversity, the small inland lake, and he wanted to see it protected. About the only other possibility was for the Conservancy to own it. “That’s what I’ll do,” exclaimed Oliver. “That’s it! Now that that’s settled maybe I can get a good night’s sleep. You’ve kept me awake nights for two weeks with all that stuff you’ve sent me. Take it back with you. Want some more coffee?” The shakes had already begun and I didn’t think another cup of coffee would help, but who cared? Oliver and Edna Birge had just created the first nature preserve in the Les Cheneaux area.

The conversation changed as quickly the second time as it had the first. Once again, I was hearing about the sunken ships, the grand old hotels, the timber industry, fishing and futile attempts at agriculture in a land not suitable for farming. I learned about greed, humility, natural resource exploitation and the importance of protecting some of those resources. I realized that I was getting to know the man I had heard so much about.

Year protected: original 171 acres - 1992 (subsequent purchases made in 2000 & 2005)
Total acreage today: 394 acres
Total shoreline: 1.2 miles Lake Huron

link to more photos and maps