A Decade of Conservation

Rose Township Families Partner with Land Conservancy to Create Environmental Legacy

Over the past decade, a quiet but meaningful effort has taken shape in Rose Township - one rooted in long-term thinking, shared values, and a deep connection to the land.

What began as individual decisions by neighboring families has grown into something larger: a connected landscape, protected through conservation easements, that will remain intact for generations to come.

The following article, written by BHHC's board member Larry Kodosky, reflects on that work and the people who made it possible.

Green Lake Property Conservation Effort

By Larry Kodosky

Lee Burton was eleven years old in 1960 when his father, uncle, and father’s business partner purchased more than 60 acres of land with frontage on Green Lake in central Rose Township. Memorable experiences on the lake and surrounding land nurtured Lee’s love and appreciation of nature. Since then, multiple generations of the Burton, Share, and Firestone families, the current landowners, have enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of this property. Lee recently achieved a long-term goal to protect 59 acres of this site for future generations when the property’s owners, formally registered as the Green Lake Society (GLS) LLC, signed a conservation easement with the Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy (BHHC).

Conservation easements are legal, cooperative agreements that enable landowners to retain ownership of their land. A land conservancy agrees to permanently protect the property’s ecological resources in exchange for the landowner's commitment to restrict or forgo future land development. “Our love of this place and the desire of our parents to preserve this property for the enjoyment of future generations motivated the primary owners to partner with the BHHC”, noted Lee, now a GLS manager. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Green Lake Society families for their generosity and the trust they’ve placed in us to steward their property,” said Jason Meekhof, Executive Director of BHHC. “Their gift honors the wishes of the original property owners and strengthens our commitment to protecting more property in the Shiawassee River watershed”, he added.

The protected 59 acres of the GLS property includes approximately 1020 feet of undeveloped Green Lake frontage, young to mature woodlots of mixed hardwood trees, large open fields, and some wetlands. Collectively, these habitats provide a haven for native plants and wildlife, including fish, amphibians, birds, and pollinator species. They also serve a vital ecological function. For example, the flatter upland fields boost water infiltration and groundwater recharge, supplying water and dissolved nutrients to Green Lake, adjacent Kelly Lake, and the surrounding wetlands. Sue Julian, BHHC Land Specialist, explained, "This agreement is significant because we also have a conservation easement with the owners of the 250-acre Camp Wathana property next door, which creates a significant area of permanently protected open space in Rose Township."

Executive Director Meekhof stated, “We’re eager to partner with additional landowners in Rose Township and along the Shiawassee River basin corridors. Our natural lands are currently under growing development pressure from various sectors, including emerging sources such as AI data centers. Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of healthy, thriving communities.” Lee Burton shared, “Sue’s patience and persistence in helping to craft a conservation easement agreement with multiple families, and Jason’s positive outlook and flexibility, helped see us through to the completion of our agreement. I would heartily recommend the BHHC to anyone looking to protect their property.”

Looking Ahead

This effort reflects what is possible when individual decisions come together to create lasting impact.

Over time, conservation takes shape through relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to the land - something this Rose Township landscape now represents for the future.