The Pilgrim River Watershed Project, a coalition of seven local conservation and recreation partners spearheaded by the Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited, intent on purchasing a conservation easement (deed restriction) to ensure a prime 1,382-acre parcel of the watershed remains wooded, undeveloped and always open to the public for quiet, non-motorized recreation, has received a welcome shot in the arm.
Recognizing the value of the Pilgrim River Watershed, the J.A. Woollam Foundation of Lincoln, Nebraska, has pledged a $20,000 matching challenge to the project on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The pledge expires December 31.
"There is incredible power in matching grants," Dr. John Woollam said, "I love offering a grant and seeing how much a community can do to make the project happen."
The Woollam Foundation has funded charitable activities for more than a decade; 80 percent of the foundation's work comprises land conservation in Michigan, Ohio, Nebraska, the Caribbean and Canada. The remainder is for scholarships and local needs. The foundation partners with land conservancies to protect shorelines of the Great Lakes, inland lakes, rivers and streams for the public to enjoy.
The 1,382-acre forested watershed encompasses more than three pristine miles of the Pilgrim River with excellent native brook trout fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and wildlife habitat for deer, bear and ruffed grouse hunting.
"Our plans to outright purchase the development rights means this blue ribbon trout stream tract will always be available to the public no matter who owns the property in the future," explained Bill Leder, PRWP fundraising committee chair. "Lands enrolled in Michigan's Commercial Forest Program are open to the public only seasonally for fishing, hunting and trapping; whereas the Pilgrim River tract will include a trail system for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, back country Nordic skiing, bird watching, wildlife viewing and berry picking."
"CF lands can also be withdrawn at any time and public access lost," he added. "There is no state or federal land near Houghton/Hancock. With your help, we can secure public access in perpetuity to the tract just minutes from downtown and only a couple miles upstream from the popular Nara Nature Trails."
The area can also be utilized as an outdoor classroom for forestry, biology and ecology demonstrations and studies for local K-12 schools and Michigan Tech University programs.
"Our strategy has been to first protect the upstream 360-acre parcel," Leder continued, "protecting the watershed requires safeguarding the headwaters. To date, more than $64, 000 has been donated by almost 200 contributions toward our initial goal of $200,000 for the upstream parcel's conservation easement."
"This is a shining example of conservation at the grassroots level," said Joe Hovel, Northwood Alliance, Conover, WI, "the easement will ensure the land will be open to the public for non-motorized recreation forever, while remaining on property tax roles as a working forest, regardless of future ownership."
"The project sponsors are very grateful to John Woollam for demonstrating such confidence in our community," Leder stated. "By working together, we will leave a legacy for future generations to experience the beauty of the Pilgrim River Valley that is so inspiring to us today."
The Pilgrim River Watershed Project, spearheaded by the Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited, is a joint effort of seven local non-profit natural resource conservation organizations that include Partners in Forestry, Copper Country Audubon, Northwood Alliance, Keweenaw Land Trust, Keweenaw Trails Alliance and Houghton County Conservation District. For more information, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit pilgrimriverwatershed.org.
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP -- Recognizing the value of the Pilgrim River Watershed, The J.A Woollam Foundation of Lincoln, Nebraska, has pledged up to $20,000 to the Pilgrim River Watershed Project on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis.
The J. A. Woollam Foundation has funded charitable activities since January, 2000. 80% of the foundation’s work comprises land conservation in Michigan, Ohio, Nebraska, the Caribbean and Canada. The remainder is for scholarships and local needs. J. A. Woollam Foundation partners with land conservancies to protect shorelines of the Great Lakes, inland lakes, rivers and streams for the public to enjoy. John A. Woollam, Trustee, attributes his passion for protecting natural land to having spent more than forty years in northern Michigan with his family.
In many situations, as is the case with the Pilgrim River Watershed Project, the J. A. Woollam Foundation supports dollar-for-dollar matching grants. “There is incredible power in matching grants,” Dr. Woollam said. “I love offering a grant and seeing how much a community can do to make the project happen.”
At this time, donations total $54,600 to support purchasing development rights (a deed restriction) on 360 acres of forestland, the first phase of ultimately acquiring a deed restriction on 1,382 acres along three miles of the Pilgrim River. The deed restriction, also referred to as a conservation easement, will ensure that the land will be open to the public for non-motorized recreation forever while remaining on property tax rolls as a working forest, regardless of future ownership.
Bill Leder, Chair of the Pilgrim River Watershed Project Fundraising Committee, said “The Project sponsors are very grateful to John Woollam for demonstrating confidence in our community. By working together, we will leave a legacy for future generations to experience the beauty of the Pilgrim River Valley that is so inspiring to us today.”
The Pilgrim River Watershed Project, spearheaded by the Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited, is a joint effort of seven local non-profit natural resource conservation organizations. For more information go to: www.pilgrimriverwatershed.org
Contact:
Bill Leder
bleder@charter.net
906-482-0158
The North Woods Native Plant Society is hosting a hike to the Pilgrim River in Houghton County on Saturday, June 26. The public is invited to join us on a hike through a 1360-acre forest parcel proposed for protection as part of the Pilgrim River Watershed Project. Meet at 9:30 AM eastern time, on Boundary Road (five miles south of Houghton), one-half mile east of the intersection with Superior Road.
The Pilgrim River Watershed Project began in 2006, and is being led by the Keweenaw Land Trust, Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited, willing private landowners, and other organizations and individuals. The goal of the project is to obtain a conservation easement for two nearby parcels along the Pilgrim River, guaranteeing they will forever be undeveloped and managed for sustainable forestry, watershed protection, and public recreation. For more information, visit www.pilgrimriverwatershed.org.
The hike will be led by U.P. botanist Ian Shackleford. Bring sturdy footwear, rain gear, insect repellent or headnet, binoculars, field guides, daypack, water, snack, and a lunch. For more information, call Ian at 906-932-3779. Maps are available at www.northwoodalliance.org/pilgrim_river.htm.
To find the meeting location from Houghton, go south on Superior Road through Dodgeville, or take M26 south to Green Acre Road. From the intersection of Superior Road and Green Acre Road, travel south another 2.5 miles on Superior Road to the intersection with Boundary Road. Go east on Boundary Road 0.5 mile and park.
From the south, go north on Highway M26 as if you were going to Houghton. In the town of Painsedale, turn east on Kersea Street, go two blocks, then turn right on Goodel Road. Follow Goodel Road about three miles downhill until it meets P67 (Onkalos Corner Road). Cross that road and continue northeast on Superior Road, following it 1.8 mile to the intersection with Boundary Road. Go east on Boundary Road 0.5 mile and park.
The North Woods Native Plant Society is a group of professional and amateur botanists interested in learning about and preserving the native plants and ecosystems of the western U.P. and northern WI. We plan free field trips to special places every summer. The trips are open to folks at all levels of botanical knowledge.