9 & 10 News
January 8, 2021
After a generous gift, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is ready to start work on a nature preserve this spring.
Marty and Valerie Cotanche gave a $1 million gift. This donation finishes the fundraising for the Torch River Ridge Nature Preserve.
The 290-acre property in Antrim County is south of Torch Lake along Torch River and runs to the north side of Skegemog Lake.
The conservancy plans to work on the four miles of trails on the property for the public to enjoy.
This wouldn’t be possible without previous owner Bill Weiss offering the land at a generous sale.
Special to the Record-Eagle/GTRLC
The tallest ridge on the northern shore of Lake Skegemog, seen here from M-72, will be forever protected as part of a nature preserve with hiking trails.
Special to the Record-Eagle/GTRLC
This is one of the existing trails at the new Torch River nature preserve that has been fully funded through a $1 million donation.
Special to the Record-Eagle/GTRLC
TORCH RIVER â A beautiful stretch of shoreline property within the regionâs Chain of Lakes will be forever protected by a local conservation group.
A large donation to nonprofit Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy will be used to preserve a 290-acre tract alongside the Torch River in Antrim County. The land includes 1,700 feet along the riverbank flanked by wetlands and a steep ridge visible from miles away.