Conservancy seeks to boost outdoor opportunities

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) - The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy is getting a $100,000 grant that it plans to use to help boost outdoor recreation opportunities and preserve natural areas.

The Bay City Times reports the Newell and Elizabeth Eddy Grant is from the Bay Area Community Foundation to further its Outdoor Urban Recreation project, which includes initiatives designed to provide residents with expanded and easier access to nature.

The conservancy and its partners came up with projects at Golson Nature Area, the Bay City Rowing Club Boathouse and Discovery Preserve at Euclid Park.

In partnership with the city of Bay City, the conservancy plans to reset the natural features of the Golson Nature Area. The more than 40-acre patch of land is currently overgrown with trees, shrubs and various plant life, and city officials say it's underused.

The funding also is going toward providing more access to kayakers and canoers on the Saginaw River. The conservancy is partnering with the Bay City Rowing Club to build a gravel apron leading into the river and a new launch for kayaks and canoes.

The final part of the grant package is planned to go toward further developing Discovery Preserve at Euclid Park. The conservancy says that a shelter pavilion is to be built in the coming year that will be used for Chippewa Nature Center education.

Zachary Branigan, executive director of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, says the projects area "a path to a better community and we're fortunate to be part of that."

Published: Tue, Dec 09, 2014