Gunderson-Heeschen family protects wetlands with 110-acre nature preserve

Little Traverse Conservancy Gunderson-Heeschen Wetlands Nature Preserve includes five-acre pond

CHARLEVOIX — The Little Traverse Conservancy is celebrating the protection of the new 110-acre Gunderson-Heeschen Wetlands Nature Preserve in Wilson Township, Charlevoix County.

According to an Aug. 9 news release, the new preserve includes a five-acre pond that feeds directly into Deer Lake and has been named for the family that provided funding for its protection.

Northern Michigan held a special place in the hearts of Reigh and June Gunderson. Every summer they would come to Charlevoix with their daughter Judy, a tradition now carried on by Judy and her husband, Bill Heeschen, and daughter Maggie.

“Judy and Bill were high school sweethearts who eventually both received their Doctorates in Chemistry from the University of Utah, at one point working side by side in Dow Chemical’s technology development,” the news release said. “In the later years of her career at Dow, Judy worked with The Nature Conservancy to use wetlands for wastewater treatment giving her great appreciation for the significance of wetlands.”

The nature preserve protects high-priority wetlands identified by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. The family was able to make their gift happen through appreciated stock. The couple emulated the Thorne Swift gift by including an extra gift to LTC’s endowment to ensure the Conservancy’s ability to care for this land forever.

“Now retired, the couple is seeking to visit every mainland LTC property with trails in Charlevoix County. Their journey with LTC began when they spotted a map of LTC properties at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve,” the news release said. “Here, they discovered that the land had been donated in accompaniment with an endowment gift to help ensure the Conservancy’s long-term sustainability. Inspired by this, they set out to visit as many properties as possible, eventually deciding they wanted to leave their own conservation legacy.”

LTC receives no government funding for its operations. In addition to offering voluntary land protection options for landowners, we reach thousands of children with environmental education programs each year. More than 115 miles of trails are available on dozens of the more than 200 nature preserves and working forest reserves.

Conservancy Executive Director Kieran Fleming said the new preserve will be enjoyed for generations to come.

“The gift of land is enduring and one that truly keeps on giving over time,” Fleming said. “What a tremendous thing the Gunderson-Heeschen family has done.”

For more information on the LTC and its land preservation efforts call 231.347.0991 or visit www.landtrust.org .