The Hundred Acre Wood forest in Harbor Springs has officially been acquired by Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) after a $3 million purchase.
The 180-acre forest was previously owned by Jeff and Karen Ford, who reached out to LTC when deciding what to do with the land going forward. After the Fords donated 20 acres to the organization, LTC was left to fundraise for the remaining 160 acres over the span of one year.
Thanks to over 100 community donors, the group was able to reach their goal. Land Protection Director Caitlin Donnelly said that community support from neighbors of the area was pivotal in completing the project.
“When many of those neighbors found out that we had a chance to acquire it, they really stepped up and got excited to help and support it,” she said. “One of the neighbors actually wrote a letter to all of the neighborhood and folks nearby to get them excited about it.”
The forest is located directly next to 80 acres of land owned by West Traverse Township. A trail connects the two areas so that visitors can easily access both environments while staying close to the downtown area.
The Hundred Acre Wood has been enjoyed by many families for years for leisure activities like hiking and outdoor exploration. The conservation effort was introduced to ensure that future generations can continue to appreciate and make use of the land.
Following the acquisition, LTC now plans to use remaining funds for long-term care. This includes improving the existing trail system, creating a parking area, and continuing to offer opportunities for recreational activities like hiking and skiing.
“This is exactly what community conservation can look like,” said Executive Director Kieran Fleming. “Together this community ensured that one hundred years from now, these woods will still be woods.”
