 The Ridge (photo from the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy) |
mostly from the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
Just east of Traverse City, Michigan, the Mitchell Creek watershed can be overlooked by a high finger of land known as "The Ridge." This has been the focus of protection efforts for many years, and that is very close to becoming a reality. Of the $11.1 million dollars needed, $9.5 million have been raised. Most notably with the addition of $4.8 million from the Natural Resources Trust Fund.
The ridge runs north and south, separating Baker's Creek from Mitchell Creek which both flow to the East Arm of Traverse Bay.
The GTRLC calls this purchase "the centerpiece of a 312-acre property identified as one of the region’s highest-priority landscapes for protection. Known as 'The Ridge,' this ecologically rich land protects water quality, provides critical wildlife habitat and offers exceptional potential for recreation."
The TART trail runs along the shoreline, just at the base of the ridge, and the VASA trail is to the east. The proposed preserve also serves as a key link in a growing network of protected lands, adjoining the Mnaadendan Shkaakimiikwe Nature Sanctuary and located near the Holiday Woodlands Natural Area, Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve and the George and Ada Reffitt Nature Preserve.
A housing development was once proposed for this high ground from which there are views of Old Mission Peninsula and downtown Traverse City. If the land is protected, it includes approximately six acres of level land which has previously been disturbed which could be used for this purpose with little ecological damage.
The brochure states that this land would provide the opportunity to create a trail network linking Traverse City with the VASA trail.
The brochure (link below) has good maps and more information
See The Ridge fundraising brochure
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
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