Villa Marquette acreage now preserved

The deed granting ownership of a stretch of gravelly brook trout stream and 80 acres that it drains took a circuitous route on its way to the Leelanau Conservancy.

But ensuring that the property remains undeveloped matches the goals of the Jesuits, whose name appeared on the title for 88 years. So all involved say that the outcome was worth the paperwork.

“We’re very pleased that that land will be preserved in its natural state in perpetuity,” said Dave McNulty, operations director for the Jesuits Midwest Province. “We’re very happy that we were able to do this. We found the Conservancy very easy to work with.”