The Pokagon Fund is highlighting its land conservation efforts around southwest Michigan. It says since it awarded a $900,000 grant to Chikaming Open Lands in 2011, the organization has been able to preserve 242 acres in southern Berrien County. Chikaming Open Land’s Bob Tatina says that’s among roughly 1,600 acres the group has preserved since its inception. It buys property that would otherwise be developed, and preserves it for educational and recreation purposes.
“Several of our preserves we’ve developed into what we call ambassador preserves, and they have parking, they have trails that are marked, trails that have along them that point out natural features,” Tatina told WSJM.
Tatina says the Pokagon Fund has been a huge supporter over the last five years or so. The fund says recovering uncommon species, improving the quality of water, and restoring habitat are just a few of the goals that it’s aimed to accomplish.
