1999
Don Blades, 274 acres
Tobacco Township, Gladwin County
For over 40 years, Don Blades of Beaverton worked hard to restore and repair portions of his 274-acre homestead along the Tobacco River. In that time, he planted acres of trees, placed tons of stone and worked the ground to reduce erosion into the river.
After reading about The Little Forks Conservancy in the Midland Daily News, Mr. Blades contacted the Conservancy to ensure that his hard work would not be undone by subdivision and development of his land. So, in 1999, he became the first landowner to partner with The Little Forks Conservancy by signing a conservation agreement that permanently protects nearly 1.5 miles of shoreline, 200 acres of woods and 70 acres of productive farmland.
