For Katie Anderson and Kathy Rollins of North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, Oct. 8 marked a first.
Anderson, NOHLC executive director, and Rollins, volunteer, walked more than 100 acres of a farm, the first step in the conservation easement process.
“We’re at the beginning of the process,” Anderson said. “We’re looking at what can be preserved and protected.”
The conservancy has 52 properties in its care. The Knag Farm off Dixie Highway in Genesee County would be its first agricultural acquisition.
“The owner inherited the farm ? they contacted us about preserving it,” she said.
“The farm is wonderful, a step back in time just a half mile from Dixie Highway in Grand Blanc,” Rollins said.
Thread Creek runs through the western part of the property, forming part of the headwaters of the Flint River. Preserving farm land is also an important goal, Anderson said.
“Protecting water sheds and agricultural land will be critical in the future,” she said.
With professional property survey, appraisal, and document and filing fees, cost will be about $10,000-$15,000.
“It’s a legal transaction,” she said.
Helping to pay for acquisitions and conservation of existing properties is its Wild Night Out Flower Power ?09 fundraiser.
“It’s a nice evening with good entertainment and good food,” Anderson said.
NOHLC invites the public to enjoy a live folk concert, dinner, cash bar, and auction, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, at Springfield Oaks Activity Center, 12451 Andersonville Road.
Folk duo Judy Insley And Floyd Raeon perform acoustic music enriched by a variety of stringed instruments. Insley’s latest CD, ‘Leaving Home? garnered two Detroit Music Award nominations in 2008, one for ‘Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Recording? and the other as ‘Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Songwriter.?
Raeon, in addition to performing with Insley on vocals, acoustic guitar, and 5-string banjo, is also lead guitarist in the rock/pop band ‘Rewind.?
Tickets are $50 each. Reservation required. Call 248-846-6547 to purchase tickets. Visit www.nohlc.org for more information.