2004
George and Sue Lane, 191 acres
Sage Township, Gladwin County

For George and Sue Lane, a conservation easement was a natural step in protecting the 191 acres of land they’d carefully managed. Mr. Lane began acquiring property along the North Branch of the Cedar River in 1969 by purchasing the first of four parcels that make up his property. The final acquisition was completed in 1998. Through the years, the Lanes have managed and maintained the property by restoring habitat, removing sediment from the river and controlling erosion along the river. The North Branch of the Cedar River is one of a limited number of coldwater trout streams located within the northern reaches of the Saginaw Bay Watershed.

Mr. Lane said that they donated a conservation easement in December of 2004 “to guarantee that this section of river would remain a natural, free-flowing stream capable of supporting a healthy trout population and other habitat for wildlife.”