Access to wetland site boosted.

KAYAKERS PADDLE on Cedar Creek last summer.
A map below outlines the Leelanau Conservancy's
purchase of 100 acres that will be an addition to
the Cedar River Natural Area. (Photo and map
courtesy of Leelanau Conservancy)

Leelanau Conservancy officials say greater public access to state forest lands and Victoria Creek, known locally as the Cedar River, are expected now that 100 acres of forested and open wetland have been purchased.

The Conservancy announced the purchase of what it called “the most scenic and ecologically important wetland complex” in Leelanau County. Conservancy land protection specialist Matt Heiman said the parcel was purchased for $225,000 from a group of three Traverse City real estate agents that includes Bill Habich.

The purchase “was like putting in a key piece of a puzzle,” said Brian Price, executive director of the Conservancy. He said that nearly 20 years ago, when the Conservancy was establishing its first natural area, it bought 120 acres along the Cedar River at the foot of Lake Leelanau where several stream connections and the river’s mouth are located.

“This spring, the Conservancy had the opportunity to buy the last remaining privately owned land that straddles the upstream portion of the river, and we jumped at the chance,” Price added. The Conservancy has now acquired a total of 300 acres and over two miles of Lake Leelanau shoreline and connecting channels along the waterways within the Solon Swamp wetland complex.

The new acquisition includes about eight acres of dry upland along Co. Rd. 645 just east of Cedar that will be the first access point along a public road north of the Cedar River, and just the third road-access point to some 1,500 acres in the Pere Marquette State forest. Price said the land purchase will allow the public into areas that were previously inaccessible on foot because of the river.

“Now, both banks of the Cedar River from the village of Cedar all the way down to Lake Leelanau are owned by either the state or the Conservancy and open to the public to explore and enjoy,” he said.

Heiman said the newly purchased property is thick with northern white cedar, hemlock and spruce, and has a large pocket of mature tamaracks in the 24 acres south of the river. He said public access for hunting, fishing and hiking will continue, just as when it was part of the state forest.

“We haven’t finalized a management plan for the property, but in general we’ll manage it in a consistent way with how the adjacent state forest is being managed,” he said. He added that snowmobilers from the Cedar Hilltoppers can continue to use an established trail on the property.

Heiman also said that state officials “have given a good indication” that they would ultimately look favorably at a deal involving the exchange of the property with the Conservancy. Under preliminary discussions, the state would take ownership of the 100 acres and add it to the state forest, and in return the Conservancy would get a 40-acre parcel that’s land-locked and located next to the natural area in the Solon Swamp. In addition to the land, the Conservancy could also receive some state funds “to help us recoup our costs,” Heiman said.

He said the 100 acres has “tremendous ecological value” that includes a diverse complex of forested swamp, cattail marsh, and freshwater fens all connected by stream corridors.

“Twenty years ago the Solon Swamp was absolutely a top priority for protection because of its diversity of the wetland types and their pristine condition. It still has that quality and importance today,” Heiman said. “The fact that this area is also sacred ground to so many people, from birdwatchers and kayakers to hunters, fishermen, and even snowmobilers, just makes it that much more important.”