Donations result in land preservation.

Jeff Lamont (right), before
his death, is shown with his
older brother, Mike.

A young man’s death to cancer was used as inspiration to create a permanent legacy for his life through the preservation of 40 acres near Christmas Cove and its deliverance to the Leelanau Conservancy.

Jeff Lamont’s nearly 6-year battle with cancer was drawing to a conclusion late last summer when the Conservancy received a call from his mother, Bridget Lamont. One of her son’s dying wishes was to make a contribution to the Conservancy’s Leelanau Preservers program. His name was printed on a tile that was mounted in the Village Green in Leland.

Jeff Lamont held on for three more weeks of life — enough to view a picture of the tile before passing. The Lamonts live in Springfield, Ill., and own a cabin on Lake Michigan about two miles northwest of Northport.

His uncle, Jeff Later, and other family members wanted to take Jeff Lamont’s love of Leelanau a step further. They came up with a plan to buy and contribute to the Conservancy a 40-acre woodlot near the family cottage at what is locally known as Christmas Cove.

The Conservancy put together a deal with Sam and Debbie Middleton of Northport, who own the parcel that Jeff Lamont enjoyed hiking on. The Middletons own and live on an adjacent 120 acres.

But the biggest challenge lay ahead — raising $140,000.

“People said we would never raise that kind of money,” said Later, who helped lead a drive to send out 500 letters. “The donations started flowing in. What a shock it was to see so many gifts from so many people, and some who never knew Jeff.”

Donors Al and Sue Manson of Springfield are close friends of the Lamonts. “We watched Jeff grow up and at 15, commence a brave six-year fight against cancer,” said Al Manson. “He was a brave, brilliant and remarkable young man. Leelanau County was his light and refuge in the darkest days.”

By year end more than 400 gifts representing 75 percent of the funds needed to be raised had been received in Jeff Lamont’s name. The Conservancy made up the difference from donations received for its Land Acquisition Fund.

And so on Jan. 18, the Conservancy purchased the 40-acre property. Plans for the preserve call for a sign, small parking lot and a simple trail system. The land will be closed during hunting season at the request of Sam Middleton, who plans to continue hunting his own land adjacent to the preserve.

“It was a positive experience,” said Middleton. “I’m glad the land will stay as it is: a wildlife refuge and a place for deer to over winter.”

Now the 40 acres will have one more attribute — a lasting testament to the life of Jeff Lamont.